‘Preaching Hell Won’t Make Nigerians Born Again, They Are Already in Hell’ — Pastor Ibiyeomie

 

By Abdullahi Musa

Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder and senior pastor of Salvation Ministries, has sparked reactions after arguing that preaching extensively about hell may not be an effective way of winning Nigerians to Christianity amid the country’s economic hardship.

Ibiyeomie made the remarks while speaking about effective approaches to evangelism and the kind of messages Christians should communicate when seeking to win souls for Christ.

According to the cleric, many Nigerians are already experiencing severe economic difficulties, making messages centred on the threat of hell less compelling to people struggling with their present circumstances.

He said Christians should instead emphasise God’s love, hope and the possibility of transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.

“You can imagine preaching hell to Nigerians. They are already in hell. There’s no way you preach hell to Nigerians and anybody will be born again,” Ibiyeomie said.

The pastor advised ministers to present Christianity as a source of hope and a pathway to a transformed life.

He said an evangelist could begin by assuring people of God’s love and His ability to change their circumstances before inviting them to accept Christ.

“Just tell them God loves you. He can change your story. Then the man says, ‘Eh ehn,’ then you say, ‘Come to Jesus,’” he said.

Ibiyeomie further argued that repeatedly warning Nigerians about eternal punishment could fail to resonate with people who already perceive their daily economic struggles as unbearable.

“But if you say you go to hell, the man will say, ‘Ah! The suffering, the suffering we are suffering now, what is it? Already the suffering is what?’ So that kind of message can’t convert one soul,” he added.

His comments have generated reactions, particularly against the backdrop of the rising cost of living and economic challenges confronting many Nigerians.

The pastor’s position, however, was focused on the strategy of evangelism, with his argument centred on the need for Christian messages to communicate hope, love and the transformative power of faith.