Project – The role of evangelism in church revival, including its importance challenges

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Evangelism has always been central to the mission and identity of the Christian church. It serves as the primary avenue through which the church fulfills the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, as stated in Mark 16:15 (NKJV): “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” This commission underscores the divine mandate for believers to share the message of salvation with others, inviting them into a life-transforming relationship with Christ. Evangelism, therefore, is not merely a church activity but the heartbeat of Christian faith and discipleship. It connects personal faith to communal transformation and fosters spiritual expansion across generations and cultures.

The concept of church revival is closely tied to evangelism. Revival refers to a reawakening of spiritual fervor and dedication among believers, often resulting in heightened prayer, renewed commitment to holy living, increased church attendance, and vibrant outreach efforts. According to McGavran (1970) and Coleman (1993), church revival is a cyclical phenomenon that often emerges when the church returns to its core mission of evangelism and discipleship. When done effectively, evangelism can spark revival by calling both believers and non-believers to a deeper experience with God, leading to the revitalization of the church’s spiritual and numerical strength.

In the context of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church, evangelism holds both theological and cultural significance. Founded in Nigeria in the early 20th century, the C&S Church is an indigenous African denomination known for its prophetic worship, use of symbols, white garments, and spiritual rituals. Evangelism within the C&S tradition has historically involved open-air crusades, street preaching, and prophetic outreach. These methods contributed significantly to the church’s early expansion. However, in recent decades, the church has witnessed both internal decline and external competition, prompting a renewed focus on evangelism as a pathway to revival (Adewuyi, 2019).

The need for revival in the C&S Church is made more urgent by various societal and internal challenges. Nigerian society today is characterized by rapid secularization, increased exposure to Western ideologies, moral relativism, and a rise in alternative belief systems. These factors have contributed to the erosion of traditional church authority and a weakening of spiritual discipline among congregants. Internally, the C&S Church faces fragmentation, generational divides, and controversies over doctrine and leadership. In this climate, evangelism is seen as a vital means of reconnecting with the church’s core mission and rekindling the spiritual passion of its members.

Despite its importance, evangelism in the C&S Movement Church is often hampered by a number of obstacles. These include a lack of formal evangelism training, limited financial resources, outdated methods, and weak follow-up mechanisms. Moreover, many young people feel disconnected from the church’s traditional structures and do not actively participate in outreach efforts. There is also a growing public misunderstanding of the church’s doctrines and practices, which affects its evangelistic credibility (Ajayi, 2015). These factors have collectively undermined the effectiveness of the church’s outreach and contributed to spiritual stagnation in some congregations.

Given these realities, there is a critical need to explore and evaluate the role of evangelism in the revival of the C&S Movement Church. Such a study would help identify the strengths and weaknesses of current evangelistic efforts and provide strategic insights for improving outreach. By understanding how evangelism contributes to revival, church leaders, members, and stakeholders can better align their resources and activities to promote spiritual growth and impact. This research thus aims to bridge the gap between traditional evangelistic practices and contemporary revival needs within the C&S Church context.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the foundational emphasis placed on evangelism as a core mandate of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church, the practical outcomes of these efforts have frequently fallen short of expectations. Church leaders and members regularly affirm the importance of evangelism in sermons, programs, and church constitutions. However, the visible impact—such as deepened spiritual life, consistent numerical growth, and tangible community transformation—has often been minimal or unsustained. Many local assemblies continue to grapple with spiritual lethargy, declining attendance, and a lack of enthusiasm for outreach activities. This disconnect between theological affirmation and practical effectiveness has become a growing concern.

A closer examination reveals that many evangelistic strategies within the C&S Church are outdated, unstructured, or lacking in intentional follow-up mechanisms. While evangelistic crusades and prophetic outreaches are still occasionally conducted, there is often no systematic plan to nurture converts or integrate them meaningfully into the church community. In some cases, outreach is treated as a one-time event rather than a continuous process of disciple-making. These limitations have made it difficult for the church to achieve lasting revival and to build a culture of sustained evangelistic engagement among members, particularly the youth.

Another major challenge is the church’s resistance to contemporary evangelistic methods and technology. In a digital age where social media, podcasts, and online preaching have become powerful tools for outreach, many C&S congregations have remained rooted in traditional methods without adaptation. This reluctance has made it difficult to reach younger, urban, and technologically savvy populations. Furthermore, the spiritual practices of the C&S Church—such as the use of symbolic instruments, spiritual songs, and white garments—are often misunderstood by outsiders, leading to skepticism or even ridicule, which undermines evangelistic credibility and appeal.

Adding to these internal challenges is the growing influence of Pentecostal and charismatic churches in Nigeria. These denominations often employ modern, dynamic evangelistic strategies, including music concerts, youth-targeted programs, professional branding, and media-savvy presentations. Their services tend to be less ritualistic and more emotionally engaging, especially to younger people. As a result, many youths and urban dwellers are migrating to such churches, drawn by their accessibility and cultural relevance. The C&S Church, by contrast, is often seen as rigid or disconnected from contemporary realities, which has significantly weakened its ability to attract and retain new members.

Given these pressing concerns, it becomes imperative to systematically investigate the actual role that evangelism plays in the revival of the C&S Movement Church. This study seeks to explore both the theological and practical dimensions of evangelism within the church and to identify the core challenges that hinder its effectiveness. By doing so, the research aims to offer practical recommendations that can help revive evangelistic passion, improve methods, and ultimately contribute to the spiritual renewal and growth of the church.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the role of evangelism in church revival within the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church. Specific objectives include:

1. To assess the importance of evangelism in church revival in the C&S Movement Church.
2. To examine the current evangelistic practices within selected C&S congregations.
3. To identify the major challenges hindering effective evangelism in the church.
4. To recommend strategies for improving evangelistic efforts to foster revival.

1.4 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following research questions:

1. What is the importance of evangelism to church revival in the C&S Movement Church?
2. What are the prevalent evangelistic practices in the C&S Church?
3. What challenges hinder effective evangelism in the church?
4. How can evangelistic strategies be improved to promote church revival?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following hypotheses are proposed for this study:

H₀: Evangelism has no significant impact on church revival in the C&S Movement Church.

H₁: Evangelism has significant impact on church revival in the C&S Movement Church.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant as it addresses a crucial area within the discourse on church growth and revival—particularly in the context of indigenous African churches such as the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church. While many studies have explored revival movements in Western or Pentecostal contexts, relatively few have examined how traditional African-initiated churches approach evangelism and revival. By focusing on the C&S Church, this research adds a valuable African perspective to the academic literature on church renewal, contributing to a more inclusive and contextual understanding of global Christianity.

The study will offer practical value to church leaders within the C&S Movement Church by highlighting the gaps and opportunities in their evangelistic efforts. Through empirical data and analysis, leaders will gain deeper insights into what strategies have worked, which ones have failed, and how evangelism can be restructured to align with both biblical mandates and contemporary realities. This could lead to the revitalization of evangelism units, more impactful outreach programs, and the nurturing of a culture of discipleship that fuels ongoing revival.

Additionally, the findings of the study will serve as a useful tool for evangelism departments at both the local and national levels within the C&S Church. These departments often operate without formal training, strategic frameworks, or consistent support. By identifying key challenges such as inadequate resources, youth disengagement, or ineffective follow-up practices, the research will provide a roadmap for designing more effective and sustainable evangelistic models. These insights can help strengthen the church’s capacity to reach out to both members and non-members in meaningful ways.

For scholars and students of missiology, ecclesiology, and practical theology, this research offers a case study on the intersection between tradition and mission in African Christianity. It sheds light on how indigenous churches navigate cultural identity, spiritual expression, and evangelistic outreach in a rapidly changing society. This could inform future comparative studies, curriculum development in theological institutions, and the creation of contextual mission strategies that are both faithful to scripture and responsive to local realities.

Furthermore, the study has the potential to benefit other indigenous denominations that share similar historical roots and challenges with the C&S Church. Denominations such as the Church of the Lord (Aladura), Celestial Church of Christ, and others rooted in African spirituality and prophetic worship may find in this study a model for evaluating and improving their own evangelistic efforts. The lessons drawn from the C&S context can be adapted and applied in various church settings facing spiritual stagnation or declining membership.

Finally, the broader Christian community—including interdenominational mission bodies and church growth consultants—can benefit from the insights generated by this study. In a time when the global church is wrestling with how to remain relevant, vibrant, and faithful amidst shifting cultural tides, a deepened understanding of how evangelism fuels revival in a traditional African context can offer new inspiration and guidance. Ultimately, this study seeks not only to analyze a problem but to contribute to the transformation and flourishing of the body of Christ in Africa and beyond.

1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study is limited to selected branches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Ikoodu, Lagos, focusing on their evangelistic activities and revival experiences. It does not extend to other denominations, although some generalizations may apply. The study also delimits itself to the roles, importance, and challenges of evangelism, excluding in-depth theological debates on the doctrine of salvation.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

Some of the anticipated limitations include limited access to internal church records, possible reluctance of respondents to share honest opinions, and regional bias due to the selection of C&S churches primarily within urban centers. Nevertheless, efforts will be made to ensure objectivity and representativeness.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Role: The term “role” refers to the specific function, responsibility, or expected contribution of a person, activity, or concept within a particular context. In this study, it describes how evangelism contributes to or influences church revival within the C&S Movement Church.

Evangelism: Evangelism is the act of proclaiming the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ with the intention of leading others to faith and salvation. It involves preaching, teaching, witnessing, and other outreach efforts aimed at spreading the Christian message (Mark 16:15).

Church Revival: Church revival refers to a spiritual renewal or reawakening within a church community. It typically involves a renewed commitment to God, increased spiritual activity (such as prayer and worship), moral transformation, and numerical growth in church membership and participation.

Importance: Importance refers to the value, significance, or relevance of something in achieving a desired goal or outcome. In this context, it speaks to how essential evangelism is for bringing about revival and spiritual vitality in the church.

Challenges: Challenges are obstacles, difficulties, or limitations that hinder the success or effectiveness of a particular activity or goal. For this study, challenges refer to the barriers that prevent evangelism from fully achieving church revival in the C&S Movement Church—such as lack of training, funding, or youth involvement.

C&S Movement Church: The Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church is a Nigerian-founded indigenous Christian denomination established in the early 20th century. Known for its prophetic ministry, spiritual songs, use of white garments, and traditional African religious elements, the C&S Church blends Christian teachings with African spiritual expressions and is widely spread in Nigeria and the diaspora.

Project – The role of evangelism in church revival, including its importance challenges