A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF CHURCH OF CHRIST IN NATIONS (COCIN) SARKIN MANGU STREET, JOS (1963-2017) by elijahyusuf93

A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF CHURCH OF CHRIST IN NATIONS (COCIN) SARKIN MANGU STREET, JOS (1963-2017).

YUSUF, IZANG ELIJAH Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084, Jos, Plateau State-Nigeria. elijahyusuf29@yahoo.com: elijahyusuf93@gmail.com

Tel: +234-8037310377; +234-7013855866

ABSTRACT The main thrust of this paper is to examine the historical trajectory of the Church of Christ in Nations, (COCIN), the case of Sarkin Mangu Street Jos. Like other Churches it was founded based on the special plan of God to extent his divine grace to his people. The Church has come a long way since it was founded in 1963. The history of the Church started with Rev. Dusu Lodam, (the founder) whose vision, determination and commitment in the face of all oppositions, worked hard to make its establishment a reality. The study sketches out some of the main challenges and analyses the land marks of its progress between 1963 and 2017. Despite the outbreak of the Jos crisis which led to destruction of the church, though affected the scale of its growth, but by no means retarded the advancement and development of the church. The methodology adopted in the reconstruction of the study is historical narrative, utilizing primary, secondary and tertiary source materials.

INTRODUCTION The study traces and analyses the history of COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos right from its foundation in 1963. The Church was founded by Rev. Dusu Lodam, who pastored it till 1975. It was mainly to meet the increasing needs of the COCIN members who were coming to settle in Jos town in search of work. Prior to this period, its members used to worship with other church denominations. The initial application site was at the present central Mosque in Jos but due to uncertain reasons, the Northern Regional Government refused to approve the application of Certificate of Occupancy. The Church started at a rented hall of an Igbo man at No. 35 Langtang Street Jos and eventually acquired land at the present location with the help of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Rwang Pam. The date as to when the construction work started and ended is conflicting but from records it was in 1967 and lasted till 1969. On the completion of the construction work, church services immediately commenced at the permanent site, Sarkin Mangu Street Jos. From inception the Church was granted the status of a DCC now RCC. Thus, Rev. Lodam worked as Chairman/Pastor of the Church for years until he retired in 1975 and handed over to Rev. Ezekiel S, Makama, Rev. Makama later proceeded for further studies in USA and Rev. Bitrus Manjang took over and worked between 1976 and 1978. Rev. Makama returned 1979 and worked till 1983 when he was succeeded by Rev. John Audu from 1983-1986, Rev. Aristarcus Damap took over from 1987-1990, Rev. John Nash 1990-1997, Rev. Sati S. Dabot 1998-2006, Rev. Philip Gotep 2007-2014 and now Rev. Gyang Yakubu Bot 2015-date. Either as chairmen of DCC or RCC chairmen, they were assisted by several other leading and associate pastors. The DCC/RCC chairman and their pastors and elders, worked very hard which led to the rapid growth and expansion of the Church.

COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos grew rapidly from hundred members to over 1,500 by 2001. 1970s to 2001 could be regarded as the golden era of the Church, which attracted members from different ethnic group in Nigeria. At its peak COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos could rightly be regarded as a multiethnic Church, where true love and unity exist in Christ. Until the building of COCIN Headquarters, Sarkin Mangu Church used to be the most active and lively center in Jos. Its impact was felt far and near because of its dynamic activities. However, from 2001 to 2017, the Church has faced serious challenges, which have threatened its progress and existence. The major one was the ethno-religious conflict which led to the destruction of the youth center and other valuable properties of the Church. The Conflicts have forced Christians to move out of the area because it is now entirely surrounded by Muslims houses. Consequently the population of the Church has declined drastically because some members live far away from the Church and prefer to attend services in the nearby churches where they reside. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insecurity and transportation constitute the major challenges facing the Church. Despite all these challenges the Church is still standing today. For the convenience of exposition, the study is divided into the following subsections: (i) Introduction (ii) Brief history of COCIN (iii) The establishment of Cocin Sarkin Mangu Street Jos (iv) Clergies that served at COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos, from 1976 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2017(v) Growth and expansion of COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos (vi) The ethno-religious conflict and its impact on the Church 2001-2010 and (vii) the Conclusion BRIEF HISTORY OF COCIN The Arrival of Sudan United Mission to Nigeria The history of COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street, Jos cannot be understood unless one understands the history of how the Sudan United Mission (SUM) now Church of Christ in 3

Nations came into being. On the 23rd July, 1904, the pioneer missionaries of SUM Dr. Herman Karl Williams Kumm, the founder of the mission, Dr. Ambrose Bateman, Mr. John G. Bart and Mr. J. Lowry Maxwell, sailed on RMS Akabo for the Sudan via the mouth of the Niger. 1 On reaching Lokoja, and after a friendly palaver with Lord Lugard at Zungeru, Kumm was advised to start his mission at Wase. On the Saturday 8 th October 1904, the pioneers reached Wase and settled and built a mission station near the famous Wase rock, but still with an eye on the Plateau.2 They worked for several years but the station at Wase proved unsuccessful which led the mission to extend its work to three other districts, inhabited by three different ethnic groups. The burning down of the station at Wase by the Muslim, made the work moved to Langtang, Panyam, Foron in 1907 and Kabwir and Boi in 1910.3 By 1938, the mission ordained the first three pastors Rev. Bali Macit (Langtang District), Rev. David Lot (Panyam District), Rev. Toma Tok Bot (Foron District). 4 A few years later in 1946, another group of pastor were ordained after training at Gindiri including Pastor Damina Bawado, the longest serving President of the Church and pastor Dusu Lodam, the first Chairman of Tarayar Ekklesiyar Kristi a Sudan (TEKAS) and the founder of COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos. In 1948, the indigenous Church was allowed to administer itself-for-itself with the name Ekklesiyan Kristi a Sudan. The Regional Church Council (RCC) was formed which brought the four Churches (Langtang, Panyam, Foron and Kabwir) together under one organization known as Ekklisiyar Kristi a Sudan (EKAS) with Mr. W.M Bristow as Chairman and Rev. Arthur Burrough as the General Secretary. The Churches were later designated as District Church Councils with Chairmen and Secretaries. In 1959, the Church was registered under the Lands Perpetual

Nanwul Gutip, The Birth and Growth of COCIN (Jos University Press, Nigeria, 1998), 23. Gutip, The Birth and Growth, 24. 3 English Publication of COCIN Centenary Celebration, 2004, 8-10. 4 COCIN â&#x20AC;&#x153;Programme of the Ordination of her Pastorsâ&#x20AC;? 26 November, 2001, 8. 2

Succession Act in Nigeria as the Plateau and Bauchi Church in the Sudan. 5 On the 1st January, 1977, the name was changed to the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN).6 As the Church grew to maturity, the priority of a solid pastoral ministry at every level was clearly recognized by COCIN’s leadership. Hence, there is now an emphasis on general theological training from the Extension Bible School (E.B.S), through District Bible School (D.B.S), Regional Bible School (R.B.S), Pastoral Colleges, to the prestigious Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), which is now affiliated to the University of Jos. 7 The growth of COCIN was within the framework of homogenous unit, people who have the same customs, economic standing, general religious outlook and people movement of wining souls. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COCIN SARKIN MANGU STREET JOS As already pointed above, COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos was founded by Rev. Dusu Lodam. He was born in 1899 into the family of Da Ruwang Bot Dam and Ngo Vou Kyeng Lodam at Ladura Du, in the present Jos South LGA.8 Dusu Lodan embraced the Lord in the year 1929 while working as a labourer in the open cast tin mining at Rafin Tenti, through the witness of a friend Dan Tsoho. Dusu recounted. He used to witness to me at break time, during which he read to me the Gospel according to Mark in Berom Language. The baptism of Christ was the subject he was reading about and so I asked him about Jesus, Dan Tsoho told me that Jesus was the Savior of the world and that if I accept and follow Him in my heart, Jesus will forgive my sins. Dan Tsoho assured me that Jesus will change my heart to be as white as a white garment.9

Gutip, The Birth and Growth, 2-4. Gutip, The Birth and Growth, 11. 7 Gutip, The Birth and Growth, 5. 8 Francis T. Bot, “Historiology of the Brief History of COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos” (Unpublished Material 2009), 10 9 Gutip, The Birth and Growth, 58. 6

Dusu said, he was aware of his shortcomings, sinfulness and wanting to know what it was to have a clean heart. So he waited till Sunday and went to service. Mallam Da Dusu Gyang was the preacher, during the service. It was then that Dusu Lodan embraced the Christian religion and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He started witnessing to his faith in the village of Zawang and Shen. His witnessing faith led him to become great pals with Rwang Pam (The then Chief of Jos) and Mallam Pam Gyang, Wakillin Jos (Former Administrator of Jos).10 Soon Dusu Lodam was appointed as one of the first local evangelist in his village. To enable him become an effective evangelist and teacher, he applied and was admitted to the Teacher Training College at Toro for two years. It was the same institution that Mr Rwang Pam attended. After training at Toro Dusu Lodam returned and both of them with Rwang Pam worked as teachers at Gyel Junior Primary School.11 Though he was trained as a teacher, Dusu Lodam was keenly interested in the gospel ministry. Since he preferred to be an evangelist in 1937 he returned to his original appointment. and was the posted to Ganawuri. Eventually he went to Gindiri where he was trained as a pastor. Graduating in 1947 he returned as a pastor to Ganawuri and later was transferred to Du in 1950. In 1960, he was posted to Chwelnyap, which was COCIN’s first Church in Jos, where he worked at Chwelnyap till 1963. While at Chwelnyap, he had the vision to build the Church in the heart of the Jos town. When he shared the vision with the Church leadership at Foron, he was opposed.12 He faced tremendous challenges, persecution and was called names by those he would call his own (Christians brothers): they perceived him as a rebel and heretic. Nonetheless he got a letter

Z. D Goshit and Y. I Elijah, History of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Sarkin Mangu Street Jos 1963-2015, (Yabyangs Publishers 25A Tafawa Balewa Street Jos), 58. 11 Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…59 12 Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…61

of encouragement from Rev. David Lot which supported the idea of establishing a church in the heart of Jos. With the support of Rev Lot, Lodam was determined to go ahead with his dream. The reasons why Rev. Dusu Lodam wanted a Church in the heart of the city according to an unpublished document by Mr. Francis Bot were as follows: 1. Members of EKAS (SUM) who attended Gindiri schools were increasing in number in the city of Jos as many of them got employment with the government. They met him and complained that they were being discriminated in some denominational Churches where they were worshiping. They were always voted out and could not have an elder in those Church councils. 2. Each time it rained, EKAS members who lived in the city centre and preferred to cross to Chwelnyap to worship were always barred by the flooding of a stream. The Gbong Gwom Jos who fellowshipped at EKAS Chwelnyap then was among those who had such experience. 3. There was no EKAS Church in the city except in Chwelnyap which was a periphery and there was no transport system to convey members for Sunday services and other programmes. With the solid support of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Rwang Pam, they identified the first location of the Church. This was where the present Juma'at Mosque is situated up to Kwararafa Cinema. The application for the Land was processed and recommended to the Government of Northern Nigeria in Kaduna but it was not approved rather it was later allocated to the Muslims to build the central Mosque which was commissioned in 1973. The Christians later applied for 7

the present site at Sarkin Mangu Street and the Commissioner of Police J.D Gowwalk, Governor of the then Benue-Plateau State approved the location and signed the Certificate of Occupancy. Rev. Dusu Lodam then rented a meeting hall at Langtang Church Street in 1963 while the construction of COCIN at Sarkin Mangu Street started.13 Another version recounts that the Church fellowship at Langtang Street started in 1967 and lasted to 1969. However, based on popular opinion it would appear the correct date was 1963. The Church catered for the Christians from all SUMs districts. Elders were appointed as representatives from different councils to the COCIN center at Sarkin Mangu Street Jos. 14 The church began temporarily with only a few pews but in the course of time the membership increased and more pews were constructed. The Church then set up a building committee consisting of Rev. Dusu Lodam as chairman, other members were Da Elisha Bot Gwong (waziri Jos), Mr Nehemiah Binga, Elder Obed Gosham, Da Chai Chuwang, with Architect Solomon Lipdo as the secretary. This committee was saddled with the responsibility of designing a befitting architectural church to accommodate the ever increasing membership in the city of Jos. The architect that designed and supervised the building was Mr. Lundager. After completion, the Church was roofed by the carpentry department of the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) at Bukuru. The Church building started in 1967 and was completed in 1971. Yet another version claims that in 1961 the church was called EKAN Jos (COCIN, Jos). The destruction of the church during the ethno-religious crisis which engulfed the Youth Centre in 2008 with all the records and documents has exacerbated the problem of the exact date. 13

Yusuf Izang Elijah, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Impact of Ethno-Religious Conflict on COCIN RCC Jos, Jos North LGA from 2001 to 2010.â&#x20AC;? (B.A Project History and International Studies University of Jos 2012), 57. 14 Gutip, The Birth and Growth, 59.

From Langtang Street to COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos. With the completion of the building the Church activities were moved from Lantang Street to Sarkin Mangu Street. This marked the rapid growth of the Church which was due to the combination of several factors. First was the personnel leadership of Rev. Dusu Lodam. He was a committed and charismatic leader who took his work very seriously despite all oppositions as earlier said above. The fact that the Church was his brain child and he pastored it for almost seventeen years this gave the Church stability and continuity.15 He set a high standard that became a reference point for the other pastors who were to come after him. Rev. Lodam was a detribalized man embraced everyone despite his background. His main interest was the spiritual qualification and not where the person came from. Secondly, the Church was given a status of a District Church Council (DCC) from inception due to its size and population. This enabled it to avoid much of the usual church bureaucracy. The Church took evangelism very seriously and organized witnessing regularly both within and outside, which attracted many converts and other visitors to settle in Jos. The Church was truly a diversified and multi-ethnic one catering for all Nigerians. The Church was blessed with different groups which contributed significantly to its growth. The first church organisation groups that emerged when the Church started worshipping at Langtang Street in 1963 were the Women’s Fellowship, Choir, Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade. The Church attracted Christian youth from other Church denominations, like the present Anglican Bishop of Jos, Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, Rev. Silas Yako of ECWA and Rev. Bala Jidanke also of ECWA etc. 16 The youth fellowship had sub-groups known as the drama group, games and witnessing group. The witnessing group became very zealous for evangelism and 15 16

Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…62. Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…63.

went out witnessing every weekend as a group and daily personnel evangelism which added to the growth of membership in the Church. This group was so dear to the heart of Rev. Dusu Lodam who also engaged evangelism. Sometimes Rev. Lodam would leave his house for one month for personnel evangelism to Mangu, part of southern Kaduna, Hawan Kibbo and back to Jos on foot. Rev. Dusu Lodam had a very deep personal daily devotion in the morning between 4 and 7am. It was through this personal daily devotion with Jesus that he got the vision to build a Church in the heart of Jos. Despite all oppositions he said he will obey the will and the voice of God rather than men no matter their status. He did not use the Church vehicle for his personal use; “that what belong to God must be handled with extra care”. On retirement, he was asked to assist since there was shortage of staff in the DCC; he agreed but refused to take salary. He oversaw COCIN Gigiring, Anguwan Rogo, Kabong and Chwelnyep. He helped oversee the RCC Jos and rendered this assistance for about 13 years.17 CLERGIES THAT SERVED AT COCIN SARKIN MANGU STREET JOS, FROM 1976 – 2017 Rev. Dusu Lodam retired in January 1976 after 17 years as pastor of COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street. By this time the Church was well established. The Church was lucky to have a number of committed pastors who continued on the foundation of Rev. Dusu Lodam and also introduced other positive changes which ensured stability and rapid growth. He was succeeded by Rev. Shaman Ezekiel Makama who had just graduated from TCNN Bukuru in 1974 and had just been ordained after serving at COCIN Chewelynap for probation of one year.18 He was originally teaching at the ECWA Bible School Zobolo but was invited by Rev. Dusu Lodam to join him despite opposition from some people who felt he was not one of them. Rev. Makama worked to September of the same year and proceeded for a course in the United States of 17 18

Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…63 Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…65.

America. While he was away, Rev. Bitrus Manjang was posted to lead the Church. Rev. Makama returned in 1978 and was posted back to Sarkin Mangu because he had been sponsored for the course by the Church. He had served as Chairman LCC Chwelnap and Vice Chairman DCC Jos under Rev. Dusu Lodam from 1973-1976 before coming to Sarkin Mangu Street. While at Sarkin Mangu he was Chairman DCC Jos from 1978-1980 and RCC Chairman from 1981-1988, when COCIN Sarkin Mangu was upgraded to RCC status following the abolition of the DCC by the COCIN.19 COCIN Sarkin Mangu has a unique status of being a Church Congregation (CC), Local Church Council (LCC) and also headquarters of the Regional Church Council (RCC) Jos, which is in Charge of all the COCIN Churches in Jos North and Bassa LGA. Rev. Makama was the first Chairman of RCC Jos, which was the headquarters of all the present Churches in Jos. It was during this period that Rev. Dusu Lodam and the Church elders saw the need to start another Church within the Jos metropolis. This decision led to the foundation laying ceremony of the present COCIN Headquarters Compound Church adjacent Central Bank. The foundation laying ceremony was performed by Chief S. D Lar, the first civilian governor of Plateau State on 31th January, 1980.20 From 1983 to 2017 several pastors have served at COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos as can be seen from the table below. The details of their activities cannot be given here because of lack of records which were destroyed during the 2008 Jos crises. However, their names, position and date of service has been summarized below. Table 1: showing Clergies that have served at COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street, Jos from 1963-2016.

19 20

Interview with Elder Solomon Yusuf, 70 years, retired civil servant, 26 May 2017. Interview with Elder Shelleph Dajan, 70 years, retired civil servant, 26 October 2017.

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

NAME POSITION Rev. Dusu Lodam Chairman DCC/Pastor Rev. Ezekial Shamma. Makama Chairman DCC/Pastor Rev. Bitrus Mangjang Pastor Rev. Ezekial Shamma. Makama Chairman DCC/RCC Rev. John A. Audu Chairman RCC Rev. Aristarcus Damap Chairman RCC Rev. Shehu Mutahi Asst. Pastor Rev. John P. Nash Chairman RCC Rev. Bitrus Davou Leading Pastor Pastor Gyang Chuwang Youth Director Rev. Samuel S. Dabot Chairman RCC Rev. Sylvester Dachomo Pastor Rev. Karimu Damap Associate Pastor Rev. Moses Kumdam Leading Pastor Rev. Jacob Babale Leading Pastor Rev. Bulus Maren Leading Pastor Rev. Goladi Bulus Milam Leading Pastor Pastor Budadi Taki Leading Pastor Pastor Michael Istifanus Pastor Rev. Philip Gotep Chairman RCC Rev. D. D. Gyang Associate Pastor Rev. Ishaku Afan Associate Pastor Pastor Budadi Taki Leading Pastor Pastor Justin Ahmadu Leading Pastor Rev. Michael Dagwer Leading Pastor Rev. Samson Arung Leading Pastor Rev. Alexander James Leading Pastor Rev. Gyang Yakubu Bot Chairman RCC Rev. Alexander James Leading Pastor Rev. Danladi S. Mailumo Rev. in Charge Pastor Friday Ojeka Pastor Source: Oral interview with Elder Solomon Yusuf, Elder Shelleph Dajan and 2015. Key-N/C=Not Confirmed

DATE 1963-1975 Jan. 1976 - Sept. 1976 Oct. 1976 – Jan. 1977 Jan. 1978 – August 1983 Aug. 1983 – Feb. 1986 1987 – 1990 N/C 1989 – 1997 N/C N/C 1997 – 2006 N/C N/C 2000 2001 – 2002 2003 – 2004 Jan. 2005 – Dec. 2007 2005 – 2007? 2000 – 2001 2007 – 2014 N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C 2009 – 2012 2012 -2015 2015 to date 2012 – 2015 2016 – 2018 2017 – 2018 Mr. Oka Dawel, September

The table above has attempted to give a brief summary of names, position and date of service of Pastors and Reverends who had served in the Church from 1963 to 2017. The Church started with District Church Council (DCC) which was later changed to Regional Church Council (RCC) between 1973 - 1983, during the period of Rev. Ezekial Shamma Makama. GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF COCIN SARKIN MANGU STREET JOS COCIN Sarkin Mangu has grown very rapidly and expanded to several places which have now become LCCs and CCs. From a few hundred members in the 1960s the membership reached about 1500 on the eve of the religious conflict in 2001. Since then it has planted many 12

Churches in and around Jos.21 These Churches are COCIN Headquarters Compound Church, near Central Bank, COCIN Babale, Tumu (1980), Tsaye, Marraraban Zallaki, Jengre (1982), Hukke (2008), Fuskan Mata, Majaja (1990), Kakunga 1 (1986), Ta,agbe. Out of these Churches, some have grown from being Congregation Committee (CCs) to Local Church Councils (LCCs) with higher responsibilities. They also oversee the running of other CCs, where there are affiliations. Those that have given the status of LCC are Jengre in 2005, Babale, in 2004 and Ta’agbe on the 14/4/1996.22 Several factors could be attributed to this growth. First among these factors is the contribution of the clergies who served in the Church. The clergy provided effective leadership which has led to its growth. It is not possible to give detailed achievements of each of them. However, it can be said that all the pastors did their best and contributed their quota to development the Church to its present level. In the area of spiritual growth, each of them came with new ideas and changes which have had positive impact on the faith of members as well as attract new convert. Special programmes such as retreats, seminar, revivals and fasting and prayer session were organized to run throughout the year. While maintaining the core teachings of COCIN, the pastors have tried to make the worships more relevant and lively to members in this contemporary and fast changing society especially the youth.23 At the same time, they have tried to meet the spiritual needs of the older generation who appear to be weary of new teachings and ideas. Church members are also encouraged to pray with faith and to expect miracles to happen and need not patronize the new Churches which are only interested in stealing members from the old 21

Interview with Rev. Philip Gotep, 65 years, Pastoring, 26 May 2017. Elijah, “The Impact of Ethno-“ 59. 23 Elijah, “The Impact of Ethno-“ 63. 22

Churches. By this, the Church leadership has provided balanced teachings and spiritual growth of members in the face of dangerous teachings that have permeated the Christendom today. Other programmes of the Church include home fellowship, visitations, night vigils, breakfast fellowship, etc. all these are aimed at promoting a sense of belonging and spiritual growth of members. To take care of its less privileged members such as the orphans, widows, students, victims of conflict, sick, aged, bereaved, both within and outside, the Church has also tried to provide welfare assistance. 24 To achieve this special committees are set up yearly to source for funds and organize the collection and distribution of such aids and assistance which could be in kind or cash. Counseling was another strategy which the pastors have adopted in order to build the faith of their members. The Church has trained some members as counselors who assist in the counseling of members that have special spiritual and physical or social needs. This includes members with special marital problems and health challenges. Hence this has gone a long way in building and strengthening the faith of the weak members who are standing firm in the Lord today.25 The Church also from time to time organizes seminars for single men and women, couples retreat, skills acquisition, health programmes, drama week, musical concerts, sport, training of youth on GSM repairs and installation of satellite dish. The Church is involved in social activities such as the provision of chairs, Bible, hymn books, clothing, textbooks, writing materials and payment of fees for some orphans and children of some missionaries. It also

24 25

Interview with Mr Orka Dawel, 60 years, retired Church worker, 1 November 2017. Interview with Elder Solomon Yusuf, 70 years, retired civil servant, 26 May 2017.

attends to the welfare of members by assisting the sick, bereaved, and participating at weddings and send-offs ceremonies of members.26 Over the years the Church has also found it necessary to set up committees to handle some special assignment in the Church. These include Christmas committee, harvest committee, prayer band, and reunion service committee etc. indeed these committees have contributed in great measures to the growth of the Church by bringing to bear their expertise in various fields of endeavor, thereby giving a source of belonging to the members. Through this members have come to identify with the laudable objectives of the Church. In addition, the various groups in the Church are assigned â&#x20AC;&#x153;special Sundayâ&#x20AC;? during which they present their programmes. These include Sunday school week, women fellowship week, choir week, new life for all week, etc. these special weeks which are observed by all COCIN Churches at the same period are not only challenging but provide varieties for members. Skill acquisition for members is another strategy that has been adopted in other to prepare members for the hard economic times the nation is facing. This involved trainings on employment generation, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship. Such trainings have helped empower some members to set up their businesses. Thus, the Church is promoting holistic Church ministry to help members integrate well in the society. 27 Other factors which have enhanced the growth of the Church is the establishment of Church groups. Through these groups, members are encouraged to participate actively in the Church activities. Also in the field of education, the leadership has been very concerned about the moral education of children of members of the Church at the time that government schools 26 27

Interview with Solomon Bode, 30 years, Student, 26 August 2017. Interview with Handsome Pam, 38 years, Tailor, 26 December 2017.

are faced with moral decadence. It was this concern that led to the building of nursery and primary school within the Church premises in the 1980s. The head mistresses of the school were Mrs Bewarang, Mrs. Rhoda Z.D Goshit and Mrs Taye. The schools have been growing fast and their pupils have been passing exams to various secondary and tertiary institutions in the state. 28 It was not only catering for children of members but even outsiders, including the Muslims. The church school was doing very well but was forced to close down due to the Jos religious conflicts Relating to the issues of unity and solidarity among members, despite their diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, members of the Church have maintained unity in diversity. They have not allowed ethnic and political differences to polarize the Church but have demonstrated a high level of maturity and understanding which have sustained the Church. Most members realize their Christian bond is more important than ethnic and cultural ties. In addition, continuity has been achieved in the Church as result of children, parents and grandparents attending Church activities together. This has tended to provide a smooth transition from older generation to younger ones who look at the Church as their heritage. Consequently, they are willing to make any sacrifice to protect it. THE ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CONFLICT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CHURCH 2001-2010 The ethno-religious crisis that engulfed Jos North and its environs had a devastating impact on COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos, from 2001-2010 like most Churches located in the heart of Jos town, COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos suffered greatly during these crises. The

Interview with Nde Z. D Goshit, 65 years, Public servant, 26 May 2017.

Church was badly burnt and the Youth Centre completely demolished with a lot of properties destroyed although no life was lost. Despite this serious damage that the Church suffered and its deep psychological impact on members, it is a great testimony of their faith and courage that they still attend the Church. Among the major impact faced by the Church were; the loss of three members namely Mr. Gyang Bwede, Mr. Anthony Junior and Da Chuwang Paul Matta. 29 Apart from those that died during the crisis, there were several others who sustained various degrees of injuries and were hospitalized for some period of time.30 Houses of some members were burnt down during the crisis, namely, Mr. Joseph Azi in Jos Jarawa, Baba Luka Shut house in Kasuwan Nama, Mr. & Mrs. Saleh Anguda’s at Sabon Layi, Ruth Dagu’s house at Congo Road, Mrs. Mr. Paul Fwangkwal house at Kunga Naraguta Village and host of others too numerous to mention. 31 The Church property was massively destroyed and looted, as this can be seen from the table below: Table 2: Items burnt and looted during the 2008 Jos crisis in COCIN Sarkin Mangu Street Jos ITEMS Church Auditorium Youth Centre Youth Director’s house Youth equipment office Pastors house All mission equipment Toyota Camry (Anaconda) Land Rover Jeep Toyota Hiace (big bumber) Mercedes Benz Bus (100bm) Choir 2 Passat (Saloon & Wagon) Nissan Primera Mitsubishi Colt Dawoo Racer 3 Mazda 232 Sunday school equipment Youth drama group costume shore

AMOUNT N 5,000,000,00 N 11,770,000,00 N 2,000,000,00 N 3,500,000,00 N 2,000,000,00 N 8,000,000,00 N 1,100,000,00 N 2,400,000,00 N 1,300,000,00 N 850,000,00 N 750,000,00 N 800.000.00 N 550,000,00 N 650,000,00 N 500,000,00 N 300,000,00 N 1,200,000,00

Interview with John Gagman, 49 years, civil servant, 26 May 2017. Goshit and Elijah, History of the Church…140 31 Interview with Hosea Sana, 39 years, Church worker, 26 May 2017. 30

Youth band instrument (2 Set) N 3,000,000,00 Youth empowerment equipment N 500,000,00 Choir rob and equipment N 2,000,000,00 Primary equipment & computers N 1,500,000,00 Total N 171,000,000,00 Source: Compile by Rev. Philip D. Gotep COCIN RCC Chairman Sarkin Mangu Street Jos. 2015.

The table above shows that the Church has lost an estimated sum of about N 171, 000, 000, 00 from the crisis that engulfed Jos and its environs. The Church properties during the 2010 crisis were also destroyed but due to lack of records the estimated items cannot be presented. CONCLUSION The paper has attempted to trace the history of the Church from its humble beginning in 1963 at the temporary site at Langtang Street to its permanent site at Sarkin Mangu Street in 1971. From that time to itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to 2001 the Church witnessed its golden era, when it grew rapidly and expanded to many areas. From 2001 to 2017 the Church entered a new era as a result of the ethno-religious conflicts which have seriously affected the Church just like most Churches in Plateau State. The conflicts have forced Christians to move out of the area hence the Church is now surrounded by Muslims settlements. Consequently, the population of the Church has declined drastically because some members live far away from the Church and prefer to attend Church services where they reside. Instead of two services (English and Hausa service) it has now been changed to one service for security reasons. Today the Church is grappling with numerous challenges which are raising questions in the heart of many about the future of the Church.