A Review of the Missiological Approaches Adopted by the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Contextualizing the Gospel in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper analyzes the missiological approaches adopted by the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in contextualizing the gospel in northern Nigeria. Christian missions in the north of Nigeria have played a central role in furthering the spread of Christianity, with COCIN being actively involved in missionary works such as evangelism, church planting, and community development programs. The success of COCIN’s missions lies in its ability to contextualize its message and relation to the local cultural and religious context. The use of indigenous languages and traditional forms of communication in northern Nigeria, while embracing cultural sensitivity, has played a crucial role in facilitating the effective sharing of the Christian message and supporting the overall transformation of communities. This study uses a library-based approach to investigate how the church has successfully engaged predominantly Muslim people in northern Nigeria. It recognizes that while there are still challenges for Christian missions, these difficulties also present opportunities for thoughtful and sensitive engagement with the local context through respect for indigenous cultures, meaningful dialogue, and collaboration with various religious communities.