Our commission met July 8-11 during the 2024 BWA Annual Gathering in Lagos, Nigeria.
On July 8th, Prof. Simon Ademola Ajayi spoke on the “Progress of Baptist Work in Nigeria, 1850-2023: A Historical Survey.” Ademola Ajayi was born in Ghana and is a product of the Ibadan School of History, University of Ibadan, where he is currently a professor. A former Vice President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Ademola Ajayi has authored many books, including Baptist Work in Nigeria, 1850-2005: A Comprehensive History and A History of Bowen University: An Account of the Conception, Birth and Early Years of Africa’s Premier Baptist University.
Also on July 8th, we heard from Prof. Matthews Ojo, who joined us over Zoom. Ojo spoke on “The Growth of Pentecostalism and the Reshaping of Baptist Faith in Nigeria Since the 1980s.” (See his presentation and paper.) Ojo was a Professor of Religious Studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria until early 2024. His research focuses on contemporary African Christianity with a particular interest in Pentecostal and Charismatic movements and on Christian Missions in Africa. He has published extensively on Christianity in Africa, including the pioneering work, End Time Army: Charismatic Movements in Modern Nigeria.
On July 9th, Prof. Simon Kolawole presented on “The Lessons and Challenges of the Operation Reach All (ORA) Decade to Contemporary Baptists.” (See his paper.) Kolawole hailes from Ipee, Kwara State. He pastored Ire Akari Baptist Church, Isolo–Lagos from 1986-1993 and has served as the Interim Pastor for eight other churches in the Nigerian Baptist Convention. He is currently the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary.
Later on July 9th, there was a session focused on Commission business. Members will be emailed regarding these proceedings, and those who are interested in learning more can contact Dr. Melody Maxwell.
On July 11th, Dns. Dr. Mrs. Omoni Grace Ego spoke about the “Baptist Women Missionary Union of Nigeria: Yesterday and Today’s Kingdom Helpers in Human Capacity Building through Evangelism and Stewardship.” (See her presentation and paper.) Ego is a Retired Associate Professor of Guidance and Counselling from Delta State University, Abraks, Nigeria. She has written many books, one of which is her autobiography, Before My Eyes.
Finally, on July 11th, Rev. Prof. Isaac Deji Ayegboyin spoke about “Christian Missions’ Creativities in the Parturition and Advancement of Formal Education in Nigeria: The Pre-Colonial, Colonial and Post Colonial Eras.” (See his presentation.) Deji Ayegboyin was a Foundation Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Church History and Missiology. He has served as Professor and Head of Department for the study of Religions at the University of Ibadan (2013-17) and as the President of the Nigerian Baptist Theology Seminary, Ogbomoso—the first degree-awarding institution in Nigeria and one of the oldest theological institutions in Africa (2008-13).
We look forward to seeing one another again next year in Brisbane, Australia!