The Church and Community Development in Nigeria: The Church in Etinan as an Illustration

Abstract

It is not enough to preach the gospel verbally; it must also address human physical and spiritual needs. The Church in Etinan was involved in community development in such a way that the community felt the positive impact of such developments. The church preached the Gospel side by side with physical developments. This act shows that the Gospel the church preached did not only address the spiritual salvation of man but also the physical salvation of man. Etinan is a semi-Urban area in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Etinan is the headquarter of the above named Local Government Area. Using the evaluative method, the aim of this study therefore, is to examine the role of the church in community development, using the Church in Etinan as an illustration. Doing this can challenge the contemporary Church in Etinan to follow the stride of community development that has already been laid down as foundation. In order to effectively do this, oral interviews were carried out. Secondary sources were also consulted. It was discovered that Christianity has made socio-religious, educational, political, medical and economic impacts in the development of Etinan community, and it is still capable of doing more in the contemporary times. This study could be concluded on the presupposition that the developmental stride of the church in Etinan can serve as a model to churches in other parts of Nigeria and contemporary churches can still do more in Etinan when they continue in missionary ventures that can address both the spiritual and physical needs of the people where the church is sighted and beyond.

Keywords: Church, Development and Etinan