Description
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study: The history of the Christian church, as the body of Christ, could be traceable from the first century Apostles to the time it was inaugurated by the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost day. Cairns (1981) states that, Christian history originates with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the God made man (John 1:1-3, 14). He is recognized as the founder of the church for which no other foundation can be laid. (Mathew 18:13-16). Following this fact, the church is said to be built upon Him as the immovable Rock. Concerning its expansion, the great commission, as recorded in Mathew 28:18-20 states that: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (N.I.V). Jesus trained his apostles who also studied him in whatever He did and commissioned them to train others so as to continue his message in the world. 1.2 Statement of the Problem: The very heart of Christianity and the theme of primary importance to the Seventh-day Adventist movement as shared by other churches is to ?go into the entire world and to preach the gospel to every creature? (Mark 16:15). In view of this assignment the first Seventh-day Adventist missionary from Michigan, Pastor Jesse Clifford, was sent to Igboland. He first came as a worker in the then Nigeria Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventist church, which had its headquarters in Ibadan and landed in Aba in 1923. He was connected to some Seventh-day Adventist Church believers from Sierra Leone who lived in Aba. From day to day Pastor Clifford with his wife made personal visits to different people and gained their interest through