Relevance of Language Learning Evangelism and Education in the Spread of Christianity in Nigeria

Authors

  • Elizabeth Akpanke Odey

    Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria
  • John Edor Edor

    Department of Philosohpy, University of Calabar, Calabar 540281, Cross River, Nigeria
  • Ekpenyong Obo Ekpenyong

    Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria
  • Louis Ajom Edet

    Department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria
  • Offiong Offiong Asuquo

    Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel Nnadi Nwobu

    Department of Modern Languages and Translation Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria
  • Gabriel Ajor Eneji

    Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria
  • Inyang Etim Bassey

    Department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar PMB 1115, Cross River, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7356
Received: 25 September 2024 | Revised: 27 October 2024 | Accepted: 31 October 2024 | Published Online: 10 January 2025

Abstract

This study explores the significance of language learning evangelism and education in the dissemination of Christianity in Nigeria. With over 500 indigenous languages, Nigeria presents unique linguistic and cultural challenges for evangelism. This paper examines how language proficiency enhances effective communication of Christian teachings, fosters community engagement, and promotes cultural sensitivity. By analyzing existing literature, conducting surveys, and observing evangelistic practices in diverse communities, the research highlights the positive correlation between language learning and the successful spread of Christianity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of language learning education in the spread and growth of Christianity in Nigeria. The sampled group consisted of 540 mainline Christian churches, Pentecostal/Neo-Pentecostal Movement and Christian religious leaders. The methodology adopted in this study is, survey research design. The population of the study consisted of 540 respondents comprising 313 Mainline Christian Church Members, 192 Pentecostal/Neo-Pentecostal Movement Members and 35 Christian Religious Leaders, from which 230 respondents was determined using YARO YAMENT formula and was sampled through stratified random sampling technique. A 30 item questionnaire was used in collecting data constructed, validated and its reliability of 0.84 determined by using CRONBACH alpha formula. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions; whereas the null hypothesis was tested with ANOVA. The study found that, language learning education is a necessary requirement for cross cultural evangelism as well as successful penetration of Christianity to all the ethnic groups available in Nigeria and the study found that the 15 factors identified, were relevance of language learning education and has immensely contributed to the growth and spread of Christianity in Nigeria. It was recommended that language is the life of every human group in the universe. Recommendations include integrating language education in evangelistic programs to enhance outreach efforts. More so, there was a positive relationship between the spread and growth of Christianity and language learning education in Nigeria.

 

Keywords:

Christians; Language; Language Learning Education; Evangelism and Christianity

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How to Cite

Odey, E. A., Edor, J. E., Ekpenyong, E. O., Edet, L. A., Asuquo, O. O., Nwobu, E. N., Eneji, G. A., & Bassey, I. E. (2025). Relevance of Language Learning Evangelism and Education in the Spread of Christianity in Nigeria. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(1), 821–833. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7356

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 1 (January 2025)

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2025 Elizabeth Akpanke Odey, John Edor Edor, Ekpenyong Obo Ekpenyong, Louis Ajom Edet, Offiong Offiong Asuquo, Emmanuel Nnadi Nwobu, Gabriel Ajor Eneji, Inyang Etim Bassey

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.