As has been recognized previously in this publication, most recently in "Evangelism, Nigerian Style" [TLC, July 16, 2000], the Anglican Church of Nigeria is one of the great bright lights of the Anglican Communion. Over the past 10 years, the membership has doubled to 17 million communicants, comparing to 2.5 million in the Episcopal Church of the USA. The growth continues, even in the face of persecution, bloodshed, and death from Muslim fundamentalists [TLC, Aug. 13, 2000]. However, most people have not heard of the incredible stewardship blessings, which have both supported and accompanied this growth.

Most people in Nigeria are, by our standards, quite poor. The average per capita income is $250 per year, American. Nigeria has the highest infant mortality rate and the highest maternal mortality rate of any nation in the world. Life expectancy there is about 50. In a ranking of nations on the quality of life, Nigeria ranks 146 out of 175. The United Nations has certified Nigeria as being the most corrupt nation in the world. One report tells how 95 percent of a multi-million-dollar grant to feed the poor was embezzled by a government official. In Abuja, the capital city, a man may leave his modest, self-made home to go work at a menial job, only to find that the government has leveled his house, because it was not in keeping with the official plan for the capital city.

It is within this context that the Anglican Church in Nigeria is doing so much with so little. The motto of the Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola, Primate of Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja, is "The God who calls is also the God who equips." As an example, one can see this motto lived out in the 12-year-old Diocese of Abuja.

Ten years ago there were 28 Anglican congregations in the diocese, all of which were dependent upon outside funding to meet their needs. Today, all of these congregations are not only financially self-sufficient, but their buildings have been constructed, and they have no remaining building debt. Also, by resolution of their diocesan convention, each congregation has started at least one mission congregation, which it is now supporting. This contrasts with the Episcopal Church, where mission congregations are financially supported for 25 to 30 years, and many never become self-sufficient.

In the Episcopal Church, all congregations pay sizable assessments to their local dioceses. By contrast, the Diocese of Abuja collects no assessments from the local congregations. Its goal is that every parish should be self-supporting, and the diocese is self-supporting to set the example. All funding for diocesan operations and ministries, which are quite numerous, are raised by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, and local autonomous Anglican mission agencies. No funds are solicited from outside the diocese. No funds are solicited from foreign churches. No funds are solicited from local congregations.

Diocesan ministries are numerous and visible. They include health clinics for the poor, food programs, a conference center, guest houses, a private school for 1,500 grade school children, evangelism ministries, a vocational training center for teenagers, and assistance for peasant farmers.

Nearly three years ago, diocesan leadership decided to build a new cathedral church to seat more people. At that time the capacity of the cathedral was only 600, and it was frequently filled beyond capacity. Leaders also wanted to promote evangelism in a more undeveloped area of the city, where there were no Anglican churches. They secured the land in a modest and impoverished part of the city. Anglican architects, engineers, construction managers all donated their services, from the planning through the completion of the building. The new cathedral, which seats 3,000, was totally paid for by donations, without debt. From the period of time from the ground breaking until the dedication, at the completion of construction, was only 10 months. The cathedral is similar in design to many contemporary churches in the United States, but with marble appointments. Now, after a year and a half has passed, the new cathedral congregation is comprised of around 1,000 members, and it is growing.

How is this possible? Despite the poverty and hardship of this area, the Anglican Church of Nigeria does not operate from an attitude of poverty. Throughout 20 years of ordained ministry, I have sat with various vestries, diocesan committees, para-church organizations, and diocesan and national church conventions. All these groups have complained about not having enough money. Most have acted as though the kingdom of God is limited by our pocket books. Our pocket books are big enough. But maybe our faith is not.

Through four days of attending the diocesan convention/synod of the Diocese of Abuja, I never heard pleas of poverty, nor any complaints about money. Even when the bishop announced to the convention that all congregations would be required to secure computers and to get online within three months, there was no grumbling. Though many of the clergy and lay leaders knew not where these resources would come from, all accepted this requirement and trusted that God would provide. In contrast, I wonder how many of our congregations would react if instructed that our churches were required to purchase a major piece of office equipment within the next couple months?

When asked about this, Archbishop Akinola replied, "When I came here in 1978, we had nothing. No diocese. No church buildings. No congregations. Just me and two people who met in a living room to worship. God has provided us with everything. When God calls us, then he provides for all that we need."The archbishop went on to quote Zechariah: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" (4:6).

It appears that the Anglicans in Nigeria do not focus upon what they do not have. Rather, they are extremely grateful for the abundance they have received from Jesus Christ. In their hearts, their spiritual riches are worth far more than gold and silver. Twenty years ago, the value of their currency , the Nira, was worth two American dollars. Today, it takes 140 Nira to equal one dollar. Monetary wealth will rise and fall, just like the American stock market. But the wealth offered to believers in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7) will not fade away.

With these thoughts in mind, it is also significant to understand that many of the Anglicans in Nigeria give not only their tithes, they give weekly thank offerings as well. They understand that the tithe is what is required by God, and whatever they give above and beyond that is a special gift to God. This thank offering is what goes above and beyond their duty. These offerings are put in an alms basin, on the chancel steps, as they come forward to receive communion.

It appears that the Lord, on his part, will not be outdone by the generosity and the commitment of the Nigerian Anglicans. He is pouring forth his blessings, and they are grateful for their abundance.

The Rev. Canon John Donnelly is rector of St. Michael's Church, Wayne, N.J. He recently returned from a preaching mission in Abuja.