Evangelical Church Winning All

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Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) — a short, easy-to-read overview

What ECWA is
- ECWA is a large Protestant Christian denomination in Nigeria. It was formerly called the Evangelical Church of West Africa and was renamed in 2011 to reflect its global mission.
- It has about 8 million members and more than 6,000 local churches in Nigeria and 18 other countries.

Where it comes from
- ECWA began with the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) in 1893, a group of North American missionaries.
- The first evangelical church in the region emerged around 1908.
- In 1954, SIM-related Nigerian churches formed an independent church, originally named the Evangelical Church of West Africa.
- In 2011, it was renamed Evangelical Church Winning All.

Beliefs and worship
- ECWA follows evangelical Protestant theology: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the authority of the Bible, and evangelism.
- It teaches the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), the deity and humanity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit’s power, and the inerrancy of the Bible (the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments).
- Worship includes Hausa-language hymns and preaching, especially in northern Nigeria.
- ECWA supports religious freedom and has been involved in peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue.

How ECWA is governed
- The church is led from its headquarters in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
- It uses a four-tier structure: General Church Council (GCC) at the top, then District Church Councils (DCCs), Local Church Councils (LCCs), and Local Church Boards (LCBs).
- The GCC meets every year to make major decisions.
- The president (as of 2024) is Rev. Dr. Job Ayuba Bagat Mallam.

Membership and spread
- ECWA’s members are mainly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions.
- The church also serves communities in 18 other countries through international networks and diaspora groups.
- English and Hausa are commonly used in different areas, with strong presence in Hausa-speaking communities.

Education, healthcare, and social work
- Education: ECWA runs many schools, including Bingham University (founded in 2005) and several theological seminaries (Igbaja, Kagoro, Jos) and Bible colleges.
- Healthcare: ECWA operates four hospitals (including Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos and ECWA Hospital Egbe) and over 110 community health clinics. It also runs the ECWA School of Nursing and Midwifery in Egbe.
- Social and mission work: The Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) sends about 2,000 missionaries and supports church planting, evangelism, and social programs like helping street children.

Media and publications
- ECWA Productions produces Christian books, music, and radio programs, mainly in Hausa, to support evangelism and discipleship.
- Radio broadcasts in Hausa and Fulfulde help reach northern Nigeria.

International presence
- ECWA has churches in 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel.
- In places like the US, ECWA works with Nigerian immigrant communities and diaspora churches while staying connected to Jos, Nigeria.

Annual themes
- Since 1997, ECWA chooses annual themes to guide spiritual life and outreach.
- Recent themes have focused on relying on God’s Spirit and staying hopeful about God’s timing.
- The 2020 theme was Not by Might nor by Power, but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6), which guided responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The 2024–2025 themes include “For the Vision is Yet for an Appointed Time” (Habakkuk 2:3) and “Seek Me and You Will Find Me” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Controversies and challenges
- ECWA has faced violence against its members in northern Nigeria and leadership disputes within some regional councils.
- There have been high-profile abductions and protests related to church governance.
- The church has been criticized by some for its stance against the spread of Sharia law in northern Nigeria, while ECWA promotes religious freedom and dialogue.
- ECWA responds with interfaith dialogue and Codes of Conduct to promote peace and understanding.

Major ECWA institutions
- Bingham University (Karu, Nasarawa State) — founded 2005.
- ECWA Theological Seminaries in Igbaja (1918), Kagoro (1931), Jos (1980).
- Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (1980s training for advanced theology).
- Hospitals and health facilities, including Bingham University Teaching Hospital (Jos) and ECWA Hospital Egbe (Kogi State).
- EMS (Evangelical Missionary Society) for missions and outreach.
- ECWA Productions for publishing and media.

Key takeaway
ECWA is a large, historic, evangelical Protestant church in Nigeria with a global reach. It emphasizes Bible-based faith, Christian education, healthcare, missionary work, and peaceful interfaith engagement, while continuing to grow its communities across Africa and around the world.