Kutaya: uniting outreach in northern Nigeria

The following four stories were gathered by Geoffrey Stamp, freelance photojournalist.

JOS, Nigeria — The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) is working with an indigenous mission organisation called Kutaya to take God’s Word to people in northern Nigeria. Kutaya, which describes itself as “a catalyst for all the churches of the north”, supports outreach among the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri people of northern Nigeria.

The BSN plans to support this work by providing the Hausa New Testament on audio cassette and other printed and audio Scripture resources.

New outreach

“We are hoping to offer long-term support to organisations like Kutaya,” said Adeyeye Babajide, BSN Marketing and Program Manager. “It is just the sort of umbrella organisation that we are looking for to implement our new outreach to northern people through the Opportunity 21 program.

“Through Kutaya we know the Scriptures will be reaching the people and will be well used by the missions that are working with them.”

Invaluable

Hosea Hoga, who co-ordinates Kutaya’s work among the Isawa people, was delighted to learn that Hausa Scriptures on audio cassette are already available from the BSN. These, he feels, will prove invaluable in Kutaya’s outreach to these people. (See feature Living with the Isawa people.)

Kutaya partners with the Sudan International Mission in Niger State, the Christian Reformed Church, the Church of Christ, the Evangelical Church of West Africa, the Christian Education Trust of Nigeria, and Tamani – the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christian Association of Nigeria. Through this extensive network, it works to share information and experience and provide education and health facilities for persecuted Christian converts.

“There are many more people coming to know Christ today in the northern states of Nigeria, and they almost always suffer rejection, persecution and sometimes violence because of it.”

“We were formed as an indigenous action group to unite missionary efforts and focus upon evangelisation and discipleship,” explained Solomon Audu, Executive Secretary of Kutaya. “There are many more people coming to know Christ today in the northern states of Nigeria, and they almost always suffer rejection, persecution and sometimes violence because of it.”

One example of Kutaya’s hands-on action is Rehoboth House, a centre in Jos for new converts.

“Some of these converts have had a good moral upbringing and have found something wonderful in Christianity, which enhances their lives,” said the Rev Ibrahim Lafe, who runs the rehabilitation centre. “They love being discipled and long to disciple other people. But others have been bound by drugs, drink and womanising. They are not ready to learn and we cannot rule out the possibility of their involvement in the occult,” he added.

The BSN is planning a presentation of Bibles to each of the converts at Rehoboth House as soon as the Hausa Scriptures are available. (WR 359/1 - 4/5.01) [PHOTOS]