Messenger: Sydney Elton and the Making of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, by Ayodeji Abodunde

Abstract

Messenger is a combination of scholarly chronicle and narrative biography, in which the author draws on a wide range of primary and archival resources belonging to the daughter and stepdaughter of Sydney Elton for historical and analytical purposes. The book is undoubtedly a major contribution, to the study of not only Nigerian Christianity but also world Christianity. Ayodeji does excellent work, exposing readers to the vast and complex landscape of local and external actors whose contributions helped shape modern Nigerian Christianity—particularly today’s Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. The book meticulously pieces together fragmentary information to give readers a seamless account of Elton’s life and ministries, from England to Nigeria. Overall, the book provides a faithful account of Elton’s evolving sense of mission, from the time he left his homeland in 1937 until he was buried in Nigeria, having wholeheartedly devoted himself to establishing the “Kingdom of God” in Africa and to raising men and women to follow suit. Together with his family, Elton traversed and endured both the colonial period and the era of independence until he passed away in the 1980s.In this work of almost five hundred pages, the first chapters are replete with already-known historical details about Faith Tabernacle (the Nigerian church in Ilesa, affiliated with the British-based Apostolic Church, to which Elton was first called) and his subsequent association with it. These details are necessary as the author rightly observes that Elton’s life is tied to the history of the church in Nigeria. From chapter 5 onward, readers encounter Thomas Wyatt and his American “Latter Rain” revival movement, and their subsequent evangelistic campaigns in Nigeria under the auspices of Elton and the Apostolic Church. Eventually, Elton left the Apostolic Church to start his World Christian Crusade with allies in America, through which he co-opted many independent churches in Nigeria into his fold. For the author, these events mark significant turning points in Elton’s life and contribution to Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement.Elton’s painful struggles with American Christianity became visible in his relationships with his protégés. Ayodeji points out, for example, that the “fruit” of Elton’s approximately fifty years of missionary work included Pentecostal and Charismatic “movers and shakers,” such as Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God; David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), and the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of Church of God Mission International—the last named being arguably Elton’s most “beloved” protégé, whom he admonished against embracing American Christianity. According to Messenger, however, his “beloved” protégé was also the one who disappointed him the most. Elton parted ways with Benson, believing that he had been wrongly influenced by an “adulterated prosperity gospel of materialism” from America. Thus, he desisted from attending his meetings or crusades and regretted having sent him to a Bible college in the United States. Ayodeji’s account is problematic in view of other accounts about Benson’s rise to prominence, his understanding of the prosperity gospel, and his impact on the Christian landscape in Nigeria as well as Africa at large. As with other claims, one may wonder why the author failed to refer to Idahosa’s popular biography, Fire in My Bones, written in 1982, when Elton was still alive. This and other sources could have helped balance Ayodeji’s discussion, especially of Idahosa’s apprenticeship and call and the birth of his ministry.Also, the testimonials to Elton’s life and work in Messenger come mainly from his most enthusiastic and uncritical protégés. What is more, the author’s heavy dependence on Elton’s daughter Ruth for crucial information makes one wonder if the “facts” were cherry-picked. In this respect, the book is rather naïve, historiographically. Also, in most chapters Elton’s successes seem almost “superhuman.”Despite all, there exists a unifying thread throughout the book—namely, that Elton learned to be a true missionary in the Nigerian context, including his understanding of miracles. This is demonstrated by the fact that he finally realized that even the Christian magazines that he imported from the United States for distribution in Nigeria (his go-to study material) were no longer adequate or viable in the Nigerian context. The more aware of this he was, the more effective he became. One commendation for Elton is that he was a successful missionary by many standards, including his ability to persist against all odds and to adapt to Nigerian culture and society. In so doing, he singularly impacted many lives through his cross-cultural ministries. As an example to emulate for today’s migrant church seeking to impact their communities outside Nigeria, Elton is an inspiration.