NEWS
“Nigerians Are Already Living in Hell, Preaching Hell Won’t Make Them Born Again“ — Pastor David Ibiyeomie Says
Pastor David Ibiyeomie, the founder and senior pastor of Salvation Ministries, has sparked conversation with a striking remark about the approach to evangelism and the realities confronting many Nigerians.
Speaking during a recent sermon, the cleric argued that repeatedly preaching messages centred on hell may not necessarily lead Nigerians to repentance, particularly because many people are already dealing with severe economic and social hardships.
According to Pastor Ibiyeomie, the difficult conditions faced by ordinary Nigerians have created a situation where warnings about hell may not resonate with people who are already struggling with what they perceive as hellish circumstances in their everyday lives.
“No Nigerian will be born again if you preach hell to them, they are already in hell,“ he said
He suggested that Christian preaching should also communicate hope, love, restoration and the possibility of a better life through faith in God, rather than relying solely on fear of eternal punishment.
The pastor’s comment has generated discussions among Christians and social media users, with some interpreting it as a call for churches to pay greater attention to the immediate struggles of the people while preaching the gospel.
His remarks also highlight the broader debate within Christian circles over how best to communicate the message of salvation in a society where unemployment, rising living costs, insecurity and other challenges continue to affect millions of people.
While the statement has attracted varying reactions, Pastor Ibiyeomie’s central message appears to be that effective evangelism must connect with the realities people face while pointing them toward hope and spiritual transformation.