29/07/2026
WHAT IS THE NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION REALLY DOING FOR THE LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH?
By Faith AkpOghene Adegor
One question that occasionally surfaces from some very few is: “What is the Nigerian Baptist Convention actually doing for the local Baptist church?”
Sadly, this question often comes from a place of inadequate information. It may be understandable when it comes from an ordinary church member who has not been exposed to how the Convention functions. However, it is quite concerning when such a question comes from church leaders who ought to know better. Before we criticise the Convention, we should first understand some of the invaluable contributions it has made and continues to make to every Baptist church in Nigeria.
1. THE CONVENTION GAVE US THE BAPTIST IDENTITY.
The name “Baptist” is not just a title; it is a heritage built through the sacrifices of faithful men and women who laboured to establish and preserve our denomination. Today, when you introduce yourself as a Baptist pastor or say you worship in a Baptist church, there is a level of credibility, respect, and confidence associated with that name. In an era where many churches spring up overnight without accountability or doctrinal stability, the Baptist name still commands honour because generations before us paid the price to protect it.
Beyond the honour attached to the name, the Baptist identity also gives every local church an instant family. Whenever a Baptist church is planted in any community, it is never left to struggle in isolation. That new church immediately becomes part of a larger Baptist family. Existing Baptist churches within the locality naturally recognise it as a sister church, creating opportunities for fellowship, encouragement, cooperation, mentorship, and mutual support. If there are fifteen Baptist churches in that locality, the newly planted church instantly has fifteen sister churches with which it can relate and partner. This spirit of cooperation is one of the greatest strengths of our Convention. It reminds us that we are not independent entities competing with one another but members of one family, working together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. That heritage and cooperative network did not happen by accident. It exists because of the vision and sacrifices of those who built the Nigerian Baptist Convention. It is a priceless gift that every Baptist should value and appreciate.
2. THE CONVENTION IS ADVANCING THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE GLOBAL MISSIONS BOARD.
One of the greatest ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention is its unwavering commitment to evangelism and missions through the Global Missions Board (GMB). This vision dates back to 1948, when the Convention, meeting in Lagos, established the Evangelism Committee. That initiative gave birth to the Home and Foreign Mission Board during the 1953 Convention Session in Jos. Later, in 1998, also at the Convention in Jos, the name Global Missions Board (GMB) was adopted as the Convention’s central mission agency, with an expanded mandate to reach the entire world.
Today, the Global Missions Board has a staff strength of 222 personnel, comprising home missionaries, international missionaries, mission pastors, international mission pastors, office staff, and temporary contract staff. Through the Board, the Convention has established both home and international mission fields, taking the Gospel to remote villages, difficult terrains, and unreached communities where many local churches may never have the resources to minister.
The Convention also provides practical support by paying for missionaries’ accommodation and renting worship centres for churches that do not yet have permanent buildings. At the same time, efforts continue to construct mission houses and permanent worship centres to reduce rental expenses and strengthen these mission fields.
These are substantial financial commitments that many individual churches could never sustain alone. Yet, because of the cooperative strength of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the Gospel continues to reach places where civilisation has scarcely arrived and where Christ had never before been proclaimed.
3. THE CONVENTION TRAINS THE PASTORS WHO SHEPHERD OUR CHURCHES.
Many people asking what the Convention has done are being shepherded by pastors who were themselves trained through institutions owned and sustained by the Convention.
The Nigerian Baptist Convention is the proprietor of nine theological institutions across Nigeria. Beyond establishing these schools, the Convention bears the enormous responsibility of paying lecturers’ salaries and supporting these institutions financially. The tuition paid by ministerial students is heavily subsidised. For example, the last approved tuition for a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) student at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, was about ₦430,000, while a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) student in one of the other Baptist seminaries paid about ₦360,000. When compared with what many private universities charge for programmes in Religious Studies, Theology, or related disciplines, these fees are significantly lower. Without the financial commitment of the Convention, theological education would be far beyond the reach of many who are now faithfully serving as pastors.
Furthermore, many seminary lecturers remain in those classrooms not because of attractive salaries but because they see theological education as a divine calling. They have chosen to dedicate their lives to raising ministers for Christ. The Convention’s commitment to attracting and retaining such dedicated men and women deserves appreciation rather than criticism.
4. THE CONVENTION PROVIDES SOUND AND AFFORDABLE CHRISTIAN LITERATURE.
Another significant contribution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention is the production and distribution of quality Christian literature for the spiritual growth of our churches. As Baptists, we are people of the Book. The Convention ensures that our churches are consistently nourished through publications such as the Daily Encounter devotional, the Sunday School Manual, and other denominational magazines and study materials.
These resources are also highly affordable. For example, in 2026, I bought the Daily Encounter for ₦3,500, while the Sunday School Manual cost ₦3,000. Imagine if every local church had to employ writers, editors, theologians, designers, and printers to produce its own devotional and Sunday School curriculum. The financial burden would be enormous. The Convention has invested in the facilities, personnel, and systems required to make these resources available at prices that every church member can afford. Beyond printing, the Convention assembles seasoned theologians, experienced pastors, and gifted Christian writers to prepare these materials, ensuring that sound biblical teaching reaches thousands of Baptist homes every day.
5. THE CONVENTION PROVIDES A DEPENDABLE PENSION SCHEME FOR PASTORS.
Another often overlooked contribution of the Nigerian Baptist Convention is its commitment to the welfare of ministers through a well managed pension scheme. It is important to clarify that the Convention does not pay the salaries of pastors serving in local churches. Every local church is responsible for the remuneration of its pastor. However, the Convention has established and sustained a pension scheme that has been administered with remarkable integrity over the years.
Many pastors who retired several years ago are still receiving their monthly pensions through the Convention’s Pension Board. At a time when many pension schemes struggle with delays and inconsistencies, the Convention has maintained a system that continues to serve retired ministers faithfully. This has provided dignity, security, and peace of mind for those who devoted their lives to the Gospel.
WE MUST LEARN TO APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE
The Nigerian Baptist Convention is not perfect. Like every human institution, it has its challenges. However, it has made enormous contributions to preserving our Baptist identity, advancing missions through the Global Missions Board, training pastors, producing quality Christian literature, caring for retired ministers, and taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
It is therefore unfair to conclude that the Convention is doing nothing simply because one is not the direct beneficiary of a particular ministry. Not every Baptist will personally experience every service the Convention provides, but that does not diminish the impact of its work. Before asking, “What has the Nigerian Baptist Convention done for us?” perhaps we should first recognise the countless blessings we already enjoy because of the sacrifices, vision, and cooperative spirit that have sustained our Convention for generations. Let us strengthen it through informed appreciation, active participation, faithful giving, and fervent prayer. For when the Convention is stronger, every local Baptist church stands to benefit.
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