Revival in local churches and secondary schools is evident in changed lives, renewed focus on the Gospel  and sound teaching that meets spiritual and physical needs of people.

Twenty years on Grace & Light ministry is breaking through spiritual, physical and psychological barriers in Nigerian churches, schools, workplaces and prisons. This is the conclusion of an external evaluation of our ministry in five states - Adamawa, Gombe, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba.

Souls are being saved and the gospel is bringing revival and spiritual growth in multiple church congregations. People are encouraged in their faith, changing their attitudes to work and deepening their commitment to their church families and communities.

Families are experiencing reconciliation and relationships are being healed. Voluntary Savings and Accountability Groups (VSAG) are helping members share their lives and talk about their problems with people who care. They support each other to save and work their way out of poverty.

Volunteers and staff are faithful and effective in supporting people who are living positively with HIV, some of whom have made the commitment to become volunteer team members and are supporting others.

“Again and again interviewees were sharing they have been brought out of darkness into living good lives and serving God. This affirms our own experiences when visiting churches that our preaching helps people better understand and apply the Gospel to their lives,” said international coordinator Tassie Ghata.

“One veteran church leader described Grace & Light as a gift to the church and to the nation.”

The interviews revealed VSAG groups are highly effective with members very enthusiastic and committed to supporting each other and saving part of their incomes each month.

Members’ lives are transformed financially; they have access to affordable loans that have funded new homes, school fees, farms, businesses and church projects. Here are just a few for the previous year:

• Faith group with 23 members saved N3,410,200
• Unity group with 30 members saved N4,107,600
• Alheri group with 30 members saved N1,223,500
• Grace of God group with 30 members saved N1,437,000.

One hundred and eighty pastors and other church leaders, school leaders, donors, Grace & Light members, volunteer team members, staff and trustees were interviewed individually and in groups about their experiences of our ministry for the evaluation in early December.

Representatives from 11 denominations in the five states participated in the interviews: Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), Ecclesia Yanuwa a Nigeria (EYN), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Chapel of Redemption, Living Faith, Baptist and Catholic.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

• Funding to allow us to expand ministry in Nigeria and reach more communities, schools and churches
• Resources to increase support to more VSAG groups in churches and wisdom about how to strengthen these groups
• Wisdom about how to improve support to our volunteer teams so they have the confidence and commitment to visit churches and schools more regularly