This was many years ago, probably 150 years or even more and it seemed things worked out well for them. Then a few centuries ago, the colonial masters came with so many things including religion.
The Igbo people quickly adapted the Christian religion and it also seemed to work out very well for them that the number of Christians quickly surpassed the pagans in the various Igbo States. This is great because the entrance of the whites contributed positively towards the Eastern region and Nigeria as a whole.
Some decades ago, there were a few churches in Nigeria and almost all the members of each community assembled in a place of worship. Then, many church members seemed to know each other and interacted after church.
But fast-forward to 2019, the difference is the case as it is very rare to see such church places again. The number of churches have multiplied extremely that you can even see a building with more than 4 churches...lol.
Many Igbos are now general superintendents and you'd see a good number of Igbo Christians flooding this churches on fellowship days.
We have compiled a list of the 5 most visited churches by the Igbo Christians. Taking a look at the least you'd notice that many of them had General Overseers from the Igbo tribe.
Are these churches dominated dominated by Igbos because of the founders...or?
Churches Frequently Attended By The Igbos
We compiled a list of the churches frequently attended by the Igbos after conducting our survey. The list is not 100% correct so your opinions are kindly welcomed in the comment boxes below. Don't forget to share with your friends after reading.
NOTE: We intentional put the list in an alphabetical order so our readers don't think we're ranking a church higher than the others.
• Anglican Communion aka Church Missionary Society (CMS)
Anglican Communion wasn't founded by a Nigerian and doesn't even have a general overseer. It was founded in Nigeria in 1842 when Henry Townsend landed in Badagry from Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The church has now grown into over 10,000 branches with 175 Bishops across the country. You can hardly see an Igbo community that doesn't have an Anglican branch in it.
• Catholic Church also know as the Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest church in the world with more than 1 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2017.
As at 2005, Nigeria has recorded over 19 million baptised Catholics of which 70 percent are from the Igbo ethnic group. Nigeria, together with Congo Democratic Republic, boasts of the highest number of Catholic priests in Africa.
• Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM)
The Christian Pentecostal Mission was in 1978 by Rev. Dr. Obiora Ezekiel. The general overseer of the movement is also known by his followers as 'the Lord's General' or the 'Demon Bulldozer'.CPM though having its headquarters in Lagos is largely dominated by the Igbos. It has branches all over the Eastern states and beyond.
• Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
Redeemed Christian Church of God was not founded by an Igbo but it's worth being included in the list as you'd see it in many parts of the Eastern Nigeria.The general overseer of the ministry is Pastor Enoch Adeboye and many influential people including Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the vice-president of Nigeria are members of the church.
In June, we reported that RCCG has become the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United Kingdom. The church is really growing, not only in the Eastern part of Nigeria but also in many countries of the world.
• The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Renewal Ministry
The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Renewal Ministry was founded by Pastor Lazarus Muoka in 2002. Pastor Muoka was a pastor in the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement and his church still has doctrines similar to that of the Watchman.Apart from the normal 'holy' attires, members of the ministry are also known for their brightly colored aprons which they believe to be of aid in 'preventing evils'.
The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Renewal Ministry is also another church that draws a huge population of Igbos. If you visit Mgbidi on their annual crusade you'd be amazed at the huge number of crowds that will be recorded.
Members of the movement call themselves 'Chosen mopol' or 'Chosen army' meaning soldiers assigned to the Army.
• The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM)
The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) was founded in 1981 by Bishop Mike Okonkwo. The ministry, just like many other Nigeria churches took off from a humble beginning in an uncompleted building but has now grown to over 160 branches in different parts of the world.
TREM has her headquarters at Obanikoro/Anthony Oke, Lagos. It is another Pentecostal church that records a good number of Igbos attending on fellowship days.• Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
Members of this movement are easily identified in the crowd as their ladies don't put on trousers while their men always dress in the 'holy' attires.
Other churches that Igbos atteng in great numbers include the Assemblies of God, Winners Chapel (aka Living Faith Church), Living Christ Mission, the Grace of God Mission, Methodist and Presbyterian.
Before you go, don't forget to check out the biography and net worth of Dr. Abel Damina, the senior Pastor of Power City International Church, Nigeria and CEO of the Kingdom Life Network TV.
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