THE ROLE OF ASSEMBLIES OF GOD IN THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BENIN CITY

ABSTRACT

This project work examined the role of Assemblies of God in the growth and development of Benin City. The method used is historical. It was discovered that the Assemblies of God Church in Benin City engage in educational, political, social and economic activities. They build schools and provide employment opportunities for members. They operate loans schemes for their members. In addition to these, the independent churches engage in community development service. They dig wells or sink boreholes, build roads, health care centres, provide scholarship to indigent students and so on. They also have programmes for widows, orphans, widowers, and different categories of indigent members and these have encouraged growth. They also provide suitable platforms for academic and educational activities as well as dwelling on the need for political sensitization and awareness among residents in Benin City and strong warning against the acts of vote buying and vote selling which puts the Nigerian politics into shambles, great disarray and instability. From the findings of the study, it is therefore recommended that the missional orientation of Pentecostal churches should be the catalyst for revival and winning souls to the kingdom of God. However, they should learn to embrace a missional ecclesiology that seeks to go beyond soul winning. Churches should serve as hands and feet of Christ in responding to the social and physical needs of the people they serve. By so doing, they will be fulfilling the work of the Triune God. Churches must be seen as agents of transformation in the very communities they are located and do ministry.