N.K.S.T Church: Is it really indigenous?
I knew the N.K.S.T church to be a Tiv church but it seemed my knowledge was limited when I discovered the N.K.S.T Church in Abeokuta and not just that it was located there, but was dominated by the Yoruba. I was propelled to upgrade my knowledge of this church. You may think I am promoting a church, so let me first and foremost declare that I am not a member of the N.K.S.T.
According to the Wikipedia, N.K.S.T stands for “Nongu u Kristu u ken Sudan hen Tiv” which is interpreted “Church of Christ in the Sudan among the Tiv”, a Christian Reformed Church based in Nigeria. The Church has its headquarters in Benue State but has spread all over Nigeria. The members are predominantly the Tiv speaking tribe but other tribes in Nigeria belongs to this church.
Headquarters:
Its present headquarter is located at Mkar, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
The church:
The church is the fruit of missionary work undertaken by the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. It began fully in 1957 and it is believed to have been very instrumental to the translation of the Bible into Tiv, a work which was completed in 1964.
The N.K.S.T Church has a synod that meets twice a year
The church institutions:
N.K.S.T has six institution of higher learning which includes:
- The Reformed Theological Seminary Mkar,
- Reformed Bile College Harga,
- School of Nursing Mkar,
- College of Health Technology Mkar,
- School of Laboratory Sciences Mkar, and
- The University of Mkar.
Membership:
The church has 900,000 members spread across the country, 472 pastors, 3891 churches, 9 hospitals, 123 primary health centers, 50 secondary schools and 500 primary schools.
Leaders:
The current president of N.K.S.T Church is Rev. J.T. Orkuma who is serving his second term. The General Secretary is Rev. J.M. Iornenge assisted by Rev. S.I. Atim Daa.
Departments:
The church has about 20 different departments such as:
- Media,
- Mission,
- Education,
- Agriculture,
- Works,
- Diaconal Ministry,
- Sunday School,
- Choir and many others.
This departments are headed by well dedicated Christians. The church is currently revising the Tiv Bible. It has also recently started a Mission Station near Abeokuta in Ogun State with the aim of reaching the Yoruba tribe with Reformed Faith.
I am proud of this church and I know you are too just for the fact that it is a Benue thing!
Yaaya Sunday Terkuma
the ministry is moving and God is working
Ngbegha Eric
N K S T, For Life!
ityav patience
who is the N. K. S. T church founder?
Ndernen Paul Msurshima
Long live NKST
Kpan Benjamin
I am a fully member of N K S T, stright away n k s t church
Kpan Benjamin
Stright away N K S T church
Terkaa soonen Enoch
I am the member of NKST and i know God is working and now we have about 74 branchs and 506 stations we all return thanks to God