Abstract:
Evangelization was the mark of bedrock for Christianity; as Jesus gave it as the
great commission to his apostles. It has thrived to the modern era trying to
survive the complexity of societal values. Hence various evangelization
strategies to suit the demand of the modern era are in vogue. This research work
presents how evangelization originated and came to be part of religious
practices among the Igbo through the propagated effort of European
missionaries who established Christianity in Igboland. With the trend of
development; independence, Nigeria-Biafra civil war and the demands of the
modern era of science and technological advancement, evangelization took a
new turn. The modern gadgets such as the internet, television, discs, prints etc,
have formed avenues for the evangelists, pastors and the lay people to preach
the Gospel to the people. The Pentecostals led the blaze of this radical approach
to evangelization and the Mainline Churches joined the trend. The methods used
for this research work include making use of: primary and secondary sources;
the library; interviews end observations; crusades and revival centres; internet
materials; television and radio stations and; Priests and Evangelists were
consulted. Data was critically analyzed and it was found out that converts were
made into Christianity through this evangelization strategies. Some Churches
organize crusade not for any financial benefit but solely for spiritual
development of the people, while others have financial benefit attached to their
crusade organisation. The hallmark of the evangelization of the recent time has
been to address peoples’ problems, while the people troop to the Churches and
their organisations in search of solution to their problems. This situation has
resulted into proliferation of Churches as a means of taking care of peoples’
problems. Wealth and prosperity has become the acceptable attribute of God for
modern Christians. Antagonism has continued between the Christian
denominations, while prayers are turned into battle fields with the devil.
