Mergon’s Post

FROM SLAVE TO SCHOLAR: The Unyielding Missionary Spirit of Ajayi Crowther Discover the inspiring story of Ajayi Crowther, a Nigerian missionary who defied the odds to spread Christianity and education in West Africa. Ajayi Crowther was born in 1809 in Osogun, Nigeria. He was captured and sold into slavery at a young age but was later rescued by British abolitionists. Crowther went on to study in Sierra Leone and England, becoming an ordained Anglican priest. In 1841, Crowther returned to Nigeria as a missionary, determined to spread Christianity and education to his people. He faced numerous challenges, including opposition from local rulers and the harsh conditions of the African interior. Crowther persevered, establishing mission stations, schools, and churches throughout Nigeria. He also translated the Bible into the Yoruba language, making it accessible to millions. His work laid the foundation for the growth of Christianity in Nigeria. Ajayi Crowther's impact on Nigerian history is immeasurable. He played a key role in promoting education, healthcare, and social justice, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of Nigerians. Crowther's story raises important questions about the power of resilience, the importance of education, and the impact of individual passion on community development. Share your thoughts: How do you think Ajayi Crowther's work impacted the development of Nigeria? Join the conversation and explore the fascinating story of Ajayi Crowther! #TheStoryKeepers #AjayiCrowther #MissionaryWork #Nigeria #Education #Christianity"

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN OUR SOCIETY CHAPTER ONE                                     INTRODUCTION 1.1  BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY The three main functions that the church plays in contemporary culture are personifying Christ via benevolence, practicing Christ, and preaching Christ through edification. Since the church alone can fill a hole, the modern church plays a crucial role in 21st-century existence. The apostle Paul advised Christians to avoid fitting in with society. The church does not exist to be transformed by society; rather, it exists to change society. It was gonna be different for the Christian. The Christian was to be transformed by experiencing a renewal of the Spirit of God inside him, enabling him to rise beyond the urge to fit in with the society around him. Nigeria is still beset by political malpractice, profound economic contradictions, social inequality, and a high risk of violence as a result of the politicization of identity (International Crisis Group, 2006a). These issues are manifested in the country as insecurity, organized crime, religious, ethnic, and communal conflicts, as well as human rights violations. Nigeria has gone through significant events that have threatened her coexistence since 1999. On many different levels, the Christian heritage has significantly contributed to global peace (Albert, 2011). https://lnkd.in/d-_3Zn3R

The Impact of Christianity on Nigerian Social and Family Structures Happy Sunday Champ!!! How are you? Let's quicky go through this interesting topic . The Transformative Power of Christianity on Nigerian Social and Family Structures: A Historical Insight. We will be looking at the impacts Christianity has on you and I, and how it's shaping us in multiple ways. Ride with me as you will be more enlightened than you came. Christianity, introduced to Nigeria in the 15th century by Portuguese missionaries, has significantly shaped the nation's social and family structures. From 1842, #British missionaries like the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and Roman Catholics expanded the faith, especially among the Yoruba, Igbo, and Niger Delta communities. This religious spread intertwined with colonialism and Western education, leading to profound socio-cultural transformations. #Family Structures: Christianity promoted monogamy over traditional polygamy, influencing marriage customs. Christian weddings introduced church ceremonies and formal vows, now mainstream even among traditionalists. The faith also empowered women through education, increasing female literacy from 41% in 1990 to 59% in 2020 (World Bank). #Social Structures: Missionaries established Nigeria's first formal schools, like CMS Grammar School in 1859, fostering a new educated class. They also founded hospitals and social services, laying the foundation for Nigeria's healthcare and social welfare systems. #Communal Relationships: Christianity has unified different ethnic groups through shared values, though it has also occasionally heightened Christian-Muslim tensions. Christian moral teachings on honesty and charity have shaped Nigerian society, and church leaders have advocated for social justice and human rights. With 46% of Nigerians identifying as Christian, the faith's influence on social norms and family life remains profound. #ChristianityInNigeria #NigerianHistory #SocialImpact #GenderEquality #Education #Healthcare #SocialJustice #AfricanHistory #religion @WorldBank @PewResearch @ChurchMissionarySociety @SacredHeartHospital @BadReligion Dominique Reliefinterieur

I promised to share what I learned from Dr. Mensa Otabil and Madam Lucy Quist at the maiden Central Aid Annual lecture. Madam Lucy Quist, shared her journey as a young girl-who almost dropped out of school, how the selfless act of her Au t who took her in; opened doors that eventually led to her applying for and getting a Central Aid Scholarship years back. She shared with us "who a thought leader is and how relevant it is in shaping the African perspective".Why thought leadership? An individual or firm that is recognized as an authority , having influence over others in their area of expertise. Bearing in mind that this individual built this influence, by being shaped, refined, tried and trusted over the years. As a thought leader you should communicate within the context of your audience. Having shared similar difficulties and experiences helps you think like they do and know how to offer practical and feasible solutions or ideas. She explained that as Christians, Jesus is the standard for thought leadership. And the Church (is supposed to) nurture, the mind the soul the heart. In her opinion, Practical Christianity is the wheel that would change this country.As a higher percentage of us profess Christianity, the world would be so much better if we lived by the values and principles of Christianity in our day to day lives. Dr. Mensa Otabil pointed out the fact that Africa's problems existed before colonization. Even the African countries that were not colonized, still have problems with development because of our culture. Bear in mind, we don't mean this on 'traditional culture's rather the inner values and dominant practice of a population.The way we have cultivated ourselves to see ourselves. Here are Four major layers of problems •Foundational level,...who we were and how we were formed and what kind of people before colonization. •How Europe shaped us through colonization, apartheid, slavery etc. what happened to us after the encounter with Europe •How we thought of the colonialist, our reason for the freedom fight and how we rule our nation. •The aftermath of the consistent failure of governments. The disengagement of the people in the country. 5 main centers that control the way we respond to Pro lems •The way we related to God •The nature of the people •Moral expectations •Consequences •Realism What then is the solution, when a proper diagnosis is made. Then prescription is simple. 1.Create a culture of precision and Accuracy. In time,measure things, planning, building. 2.Create a future minded culture. Our culture is too steep on preserving the past. We must impose the burden of long term consequences, one the urgency of the needs of today.We cannot solve the present problems by using the culture of the past where we created them. 3.Create a culture of cause and effects. Move away from fatalism. Destiny is controlable. 4. A culture of trust and merit. It affects who we promote, pay well, employ, reward etc.

Quick Thought! Before I dive in, let me be clear: I am a born-again, Bible-believing Christian. However, I can't help but ask—has religion in Africa contributed to a culture of complacency? In Europe, churches are often empty—could it be because they’re wealthy? Meanwhile, in Africa, our churches seem to "sell" hope of getting rich rather than offer genuine spiritual nourishment. So, are we truly poor, or are we diverting our resources into religious institutions? God loves a cheerful giver, but where do we draw the line between being spiritually correct and managing our lives effectively? If we have the money to "buy" hope, why not ask God for the wisdom to invest that money wisely? Shouldn't we be giving out of the abundance of His provision, rather than out of a hope that sometimes seems more transactional than transformative? Please don't shoot the messenger 😃 #Religion #Faith #Spirituality #Wisdom #Investment #Africa #CriticalThinking #AfCFTA #SustainableDevelopment #Governance #Opportunity #EconomicGrowth 

In this blog post, I hope to shed light on the biblical requirement for churches to care for their pastors, specifically in the context of Africa, with an emphasis on Zambia my beloved country.

A 2017 report of the Vatican’s Statistical Year Book, which tracks the number of Catholics worldwide, reports that there are 1.28 billion Catholics around the world. Africa currently accounts for 17.3% of Catholics worldwide and it is reported to have the highest growth of Catholics. Europe and America are experiencing the highest decline in numbers of not just of Catholics, but Christians generally. Meanwhile, out of the 17.3% of Catholics in Africa, Nigeria accounts for 29 million. With the decline of faith generally across the world, Europe in particular, it is imperative that the Church begins to consolidate on it gains in Africa before it is lost. While there is general decline in priestly vocation in the global North, there is a boom in the global South. Africa with an increase of priestly vocation of +1.181 is right now witnessing a boom alongside the likes of Oceania and Asia. However, if urgent steps are not taken to consolidate on these gains in Africa, they may also be lost in no distance time due to a number of very glaring factors https://lnkd.in/d--KiHPx

Throwback: Q&A: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: This question-and-answer session was published by Swapo Today in 2022 to provide insight into the political journey of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (NNN). ST: Who exactly is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah? NNN: The vice president of Swapo is Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, born as Ndempelila Netumbo Nandi. Ndaitwah came after I got married. I am the ninth child of 13 siblings, born in the north of Namibia at a village called Onamutai, now in the Oshana region’s Ongwediva constituency. I was born from a family of peasants, while my upbringing was a mix of culture and religion, because even though my father was a clergyman of the Anglican Church, he never parted from culture. For example, for any Namibian man in that particular community, if there were to be anything that would have to be celebrated, we would organise a feast at the end of the season, when your cattle herders come back home. Now with the advent of Christianity, some of these traditions were found to be non-Christian, but while still a clergyman, my father always insisted on appreciating our people in that manner regardless. Another tradition that was also condemned by Christianity was traditional marriages, but my father always insisted that his children must know their culture, so we were always allowed to balance as a result. Growing up, political activities were also never far from our community. In fact, Ohalushu and Endola are neighbouring villages, so as we were growing up, we would see Swapo activities organised by the likes of comrade Kaxuumba Kandola. They would mobilise in our communities, having meetings in the shade of big trees on Sundays after church, where we would attend and participate. The slogan and driving motto of that time in Oshiwambo was ‘Kwayela Kwasha’, loosely translated as ‘it has dawned’, and we should all wake up to see what was coming. These are some Swapo activities that attracted and inspired us, until I finally got my membership card in 1966. At the time I was a pupil at St Mary’s Mission, Odibo School, where I received much of my primary and secondary education. Between 1969 and 1970, when the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) was established at the Tanga Consultative Conference, we got the message back home, and as young people of Namibia, we began to be activists. This was indeed the time I was then given the responsibility by my colleagues to be the chairperson of the SPYL in Owamboland, a position I held until I left. Once, during the workers’ strike, we were very active and organised young people in the north, supported by our comrades at Walvis Bay: Ndali Kamati, Jerry Ekandjo and others. Ongulugombashe also added some impetus, as well as the events that occurred at Oshikango. We were very strategic, and so when we were addressing our meetings, we knew that whoever was going to be the speaker on that particular day was not…

Church and State The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) recently issued a statement addressing a broad array of issues, prompting a swift response from various arms of the Government of Kenya—including the Presidency, ministries, Parliament, the police, and individual politicians—each presenting its own perspective. Rather than delving into the pros and cons of the statement and the government’s responses, I will focus my contribution on the fascinating relationship between the State and the Church. In Kenya, both the church and the state are key influencers in society, each with the power to shape public opinion, establish community norms, and address moral and social issues. Both institutions often seek to unify and lead people through shared values and visions of justice, order, and social well-being. However, while their goals may align in areas such as community support and ethical leadership, it is unreasonable for the state to unnecessarily counteract the church. The church holds a significant role in many Kenyans' lives, often providing social services, fostering community cohesion, and offering moral guidance. Unduly opposing the church could risk alienating communities and overlook the church’s role in reinforcing social stability and values. Therefore, a balanced approach that respects the church’s influence while upholding democratic principles can strengthen cohesion and respect diverse beliefs in Kenya’s pluralistic society.

PENTECOSTALISM DESTROYING CRITICAL THINKING SKILL IN GHANA (AFRICA ) Pentecostal christianity has corrupted our way of living. The damage that pentecostal pastors have caused with their exploitative sermons will take decades to undo. Their sermons have destroyed critical thinking and produced a generation of Africans or Ghanaians who are magical thinkers. The corruption is pervasive. It is in government, our schools, businesses and in our homes. It is everywhere. Even our universities - the seat of learning and all philosophies - are not spared. Our universities are populated by "intellectuals" who not only believe but also teach that witches are real, that prayers can bring dead people back to life, cure all diseases and make cars drive without any fuel. Our elites (politicians or leaders) are by profession and they are ardent followers of a pastor who claims he has all these powers. We are now at a point where the generation that has suffered the most brainwashing is at the helms of our affairs. And they are spreading their corruption. If the person who teaches you science discredits evolution but argues that his pastor's car can drive without fuel or that his pastor has resurrected dead people and also cured all kinds of diseases through prayers and fasting, what value is he imparting to you? What value has pentecostalism added to our society? We are still one of the most corrupt continent or nations on earth, the majority of our citizens subsist on less than one dollar/day, workers are owed wages sometimes running up to 6 months in arrears, the elderly are denied their pensions, and our unemployed youth are forced into prostitution, gambling and armed robbery, I could go on and on. Pentecostal pastors do not lead by example. They are selfish and greedy. They extort money from pensioners, the unemployed and the sick to buy themselves private jets. They exploit the gullibility, desperation, weakness and the vulnerability of people to profit themselves. And that, my friends, is the whole essence of the pentecostal christian doctrine - at least, as I have seen practised in Ghana (Africa ) The pastopreneurs do not care about integrity - we have seen them physically assault church goers, involved in questionable business deals, sleep with female church members, tell lies, and so on. They care only about themselves. Pentecostalism is a doctrine of greed. It thrives on fear. It exploits the weak. It destroys critical thinking. Your salvation is in insisting on a rational society. Enough of superstitions and greed! #WAKEUP