The Anglican Adam Preaching Society is an interdenominational evangelical Christian movement based in Nigeria, [1] which was founded by an evangelist of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the late Cornelius Adam Igbudu who hailed from Araya in Isokoland. [2]
According to the A.A.P.S. official website, the evangelical group "is an interdenominational preaching society under the umbrella of the Anglican Communion. It stands for professional soul winning and being run by self-sacrifice and freewill donations". [1] It was considered as being "famous for the spread of the gospel of Christ across Nigeria". [3]
Professor Peter Palmer Ekeh, Founder of Urhobo Historical Society, later wrote in his book: History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta, that "The evangelical movement of Adam's Anglican Preaching Society (A.A.P.S.), which he [Igbudu] founded, bestrode the Anglican Communion in the Former Bendel State. It created waves of mass conversions". [4] Another writer also opined that the evangelistic impact of A.A.P.S. is tied to Igbudu's legacy. [5] [6]
History
History has it that Cornelius Adam Igbudu was born in 1914 in a rustic village of Araya to Isoko pagan parents who then practised African indigenous religion, [7] and prior to his conversion to Christianity in 1927, [8] he was part of a traditional dance group in Uzere in Isokoland. [2]
Shortly after Igbudu left the dance group, in 1938 he formed the "Ole-Orufuo", a prayer group which later metamorphosed into an evangelical group. [2] After the movement locally became known as the "Ukoko Adamu" (meaning, "Adam's Preaching Society") in 1946, in the ensuing years there was a need to integrate it into the Nigerian Anglican Church and the word "Anglican" was formally added to the name of the group. [2]
Evangelistic impact
The evangelical group of A.A.P.S. in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, over the years has significantly promoted evangelical Anglicanism and, through Igbudu's evangelism, has also "won thousands to Christ". [9]
The Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S) has not gone defunct along with Cornelius Adam Igbudu in 1981. In fact, it has gained momentum over the years and, according to Professor Sam U. Erivwo, through this movement the Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri witnessed (and are still witnessing) phenomenal revival. [10]
With the advent of Christianity in Nigeria, the evangelical group of A.A.P.S., through Igbudu's evangelism, Africanized Anglicanism and made the physiognomy of practical Christian expression of African spirituality real to many Africans, notably the Isoko people and the Urhobo people in the present-day Delta State of Nigeria. [2] Consequently, the evangelistic activities of the evangelical group seem to have led to a decline in the practice of several traditional African religions, as many Urhobo people as well as Isoko people have now become Christians and have nothing to do with idol worship. [11] It earned its founder a eulogy of being one of "Isoko's greatest evangelists". [9]
Musical impact
The musical impact of the A.A.P.S. evangelical movement continues to be seen today as having revolutionized both Isoko and Urhobo gospel music with the introduction of indigenous African music by Igbudu himself, [2] "a man whose Isoko self-composed songs inspired many". [9]
At that time when the style of worship and the mode of music in the mission churches were predominantly influenced by western civilization, which left many Africans with the feeling of spiritual alienation, Cornelius Adam Igbudu came into the scene and caused a change of practice by introducing indigenous Isoko music to the mission churches. [7] It earned Igbudu a commendation from E. Onosemuode, who called him "a great musical reformer among Isoko and Urhobo Christians". [7]
Other writers in 2022 also mentioned Igbudu's name among those "who could be regarded as pioneers" of
indigenous
African music.
[8] However, other notable people of
Isoko and
Urhobo extractions, who seemed "to have followed after the steps of the pioneers", later included
Evi Edna Ogholi and
Kefee Obareki Don Momoh.
[8]
In 2005, the A.A.P.S. evangelical movement's sustained musical influence in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, was particularly evident in the rendition of "entertainment songs by the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (AAPS) band" during a church service held in commemoration of Bishop Agori Iwe who died on July 9, 1979. [12]
It is to the credit of Igbudu and the A.A.P.S. that the Niger Delta is dominated by a plethora of Nigerian gospel musicians of indigenous music, who have been inspired by Igbudu's "Isoko self-composed songs", [9] notably Sammie Okposo and many others such as Evang. Ekpekuro Omamesiri Jerry (JP), Evang. Emmanuel Ofano, Evang. Solomon Urete, Rev. Festus Ejete, Evang. Amos Ighaka, Evang. Godwin Tom, Evang. Raphael Tedheke, Evang. Lizzy Ofano Okpa and Evang. Solomon Kings. [13]
In an article published by The Nigerian Voice on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Godday Odidi also mentioned the names of two notable women of
Isoko and
Urhobo extractions -
Evi Edna Ogholi and
Kefee Obareki Don Momoh - whom he considered as having "decided to rebrand their music to global recognition".
[13]
Also, in an article earlier published by the same
Newspaper on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, Odidi was quoted saying:
[14]
Late Evangelist Adam Igbudu of Araya community in Isoko South LGA was one of the most Isoko influential pastors we had then... but today nobody celebrates Adam Igbudu except the Adam Preaching Society members and few Isoko gospel musicians. He left unbeatable legacies in the Christian race in Isoko. Adam Igbudu needed to be celebrated on yearly basis if we have a united voice in Isoko.
Socio-economic impact
From the days of Cornelius Adam Igbudu until now, [2] the evangelical group of A.A.P.S. is also noted for its genuine concern about providing social services, especially for its members. [15]
Religious disputes
Igbudu, the founder of the A.A.P.S. evangelical movement, was said to have had a disagreement with a prominent Nigerian Isoko cleric, Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena, whom he accused of "disturbing his ministry" in the Nigerian Anglican Church. [16]
In the early 1970s, the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S.) and the
Scripture Union (S.U.) were accused of what Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena considered as being "religiously rebellious",
[16] by the Anglican hierarchy who felt that some members of both "evangelistic wings of the Church" were not only introducing strange doctrines to the Church but also challenging the constituted authorities of the Church.
[17] Consequently, it led to the
excommunication of several A.A.P.S. members from the Church.
[17]
In the mid-1980s, "Christian and Human Transformation" was discussed by the International Association for Mission Studies during proceedings of the sixth IAMS conference held on January 8-14, 1985, in Harare, Zimbabwe, where the IAMS' members posited that: "Adam and his retinue were persecuted by the Anglican hierarchy on the grounds of their unorthodox approach in church life and liturgy. However, the hierarchy later came to realize the importance of Adam's evangelisation efforts and in 1963 awarded an official recognition to the movement. With the insurance of peace, Adam led his evangelistic band till his death in 1981". [18]
In its profile on Igbudu, the DACB seemed to have confirmed this fact when it also wrote that: "The organization of the A.A.P.S. also presented Adam with a series of challenges, as he and his group were accused of several things, both from within and from without the church. Some members who were not able to bear the reproach left the group. Also, some of the clergy with the Anglican Church misunderstood Igbudu and his group's activities, and developed serious and subversive suspicions against them. Consequently, there were problems with the church authorities. The misunderstanding stemmed from the unfounded fears and rumors that Igbudu was trying to lead certain members out of the Anglican Church in order to form a splinter church". [2]
In the early 1990s, the
South African Missiological Society (led by
David Bosch who was also the founding editor of its journal, Missionalia), in the same vein, noted that Igbudu and his group were being treated "with much antagonism in the Anglican Church but his group, the Anglican Adam Preaching Society, was later recognised as important for evangelism".
[19]
Leadership
Since the death of its founder on 12 March 1981, [2] [9] [20] the evangelical group of A.A.P.S. has continued to operate under a plethora of elected National Executives.
As of 2022, the leaders of the A.A.P.S. movement included Evang. F. K. A. Usenu (JP) - National President, Evang. Sir. J. I. Afimoni (JP) - Vice National President, Evang. P. E. Ejovi - National Secretary, and Evang. Emma Ofano (JP) - Music Director. [1]
References
- ^ a b c "Welcome to AAPS". AAPS.org.ng. Archived from the original on 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Igbudu, Cornelius Adam". DACB.org. Archived from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Omoru passes on". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Ekeh, Peter Palmer (2007). History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta. Urhobo Historical Society. p. 220. ISBN 978-978-077-288-8.
- ^ Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Exploring the Life of Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu". Nigerian Times. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Exploring the Life of Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu". NGGOSSIPS.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b c Smit, Johannes; Kumar, Pratap (2018). Study of Religion in Southern Africa: Essays in Honour of G.C. Oosthuizen. BRILL. p. 105. ISBN 978-904-740-749-2.
- ^ a b c Salawu, Abiodun; Fadipe, Israel A. (2022). Indigenous African Popular Music, Volume 1: Prophets and Philosophers. Springer Nature. p. 157. ISBN 978-303-097-884-6.
- ^ a b c d e "Cornelius Adam Igbudu: Isoko's Greatest Evangelist". NewsNGR. Archived from the original on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Erivwo, Samuel U. (1979). The Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri: A History of Christianity in Nigeria. Daystar Press. p. 139. ISBN 978-978-122-139-2.
- ^ "HISTORY OF URHOBO PEOPLE". EdoWorld.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "A Memorial Service for Agori Iwe, First Anglican (Communion) Bishop of Benin, Nigeria". Urhobo Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b Odidi, Godday. "10 Top Isoko And Urhobo Gospel Musicians In Nigeria". The Nigerian Voice. Archived from the original on 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Odidi, Godday. "We don't have influential Pastors and Musicians in Isoko-Pastor Odidi". The Nigerian Voice. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Adekunle, Ralph (28 September 2008). "Nigeria: Church Gives Family Car for Dedication". AllAfrica. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^
a
b Eyoboka, Sam; Abugoh, Gladys.
"Why I fought Idahosa, Anglicans - Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena".
Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from
the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
Archdeacon Adam Igbudu said I was disturbing his ministry, that he was the only one licensed to preach the gospel outside.
- ^ a b Erivwo, Sam U. "CRISIS IN BENIN DIOCESE UNDER BISHOP AGORI IWE". Urhobo Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ International Association for Mission Studies (1985). Christian and Human Transformation: Proceedings of the Sixth Conference of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS), Harare, Zimbabwe, January 8-14, 1985. IAMS. p. 115.
- ^ South African Missiological Society (1992). Missionalia, Volume 20. The Society. p. 42.
- ^ "History of the Founder". AAPS.org.ng. Archived from the original on 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
External links
The Anglican Adam Preaching Society is an interdenominational evangelical Christian movement based in Nigeria, [1] which was founded by an evangelist of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the late Cornelius Adam Igbudu who hailed from Araya in Isokoland. [2]
According to the A.A.P.S. official website, the evangelical group "is an interdenominational preaching society under the umbrella of the Anglican Communion. It stands for professional soul winning and being run by self-sacrifice and freewill donations". [1] It was considered as being "famous for the spread of the gospel of Christ across Nigeria". [3]
Professor Peter Palmer Ekeh, Founder of Urhobo Historical Society, later wrote in his book: History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta, that "The evangelical movement of Adam's Anglican Preaching Society (A.A.P.S.), which he [Igbudu] founded, bestrode the Anglican Communion in the Former Bendel State. It created waves of mass conversions". [4] Another writer also opined that the evangelistic impact of A.A.P.S. is tied to Igbudu's legacy. [5] [6]
History
History has it that Cornelius Adam Igbudu was born in 1914 in a rustic village of Araya to Isoko pagan parents who then practised African indigenous religion, [7] and prior to his conversion to Christianity in 1927, [8] he was part of a traditional dance group in Uzere in Isokoland. [2]
Shortly after Igbudu left the dance group, in 1938 he formed the "Ole-Orufuo", a prayer group which later metamorphosed into an evangelical group. [2] After the movement locally became known as the "Ukoko Adamu" (meaning, "Adam's Preaching Society") in 1946, in the ensuing years there was a need to integrate it into the Nigerian Anglican Church and the word "Anglican" was formally added to the name of the group. [2]
Evangelistic impact
The evangelical group of A.A.P.S. in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, over the years has significantly promoted evangelical Anglicanism and, through Igbudu's evangelism, has also "won thousands to Christ". [9]
The Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S) has not gone defunct along with Cornelius Adam Igbudu in 1981. In fact, it has gained momentum over the years and, according to Professor Sam U. Erivwo, through this movement the Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri witnessed (and are still witnessing) phenomenal revival. [10]
With the advent of Christianity in Nigeria, the evangelical group of A.A.P.S., through Igbudu's evangelism, Africanized Anglicanism and made the physiognomy of practical Christian expression of African spirituality real to many Africans, notably the Isoko people and the Urhobo people in the present-day Delta State of Nigeria. [2] Consequently, the evangelistic activities of the evangelical group seem to have led to a decline in the practice of several traditional African religions, as many Urhobo people as well as Isoko people have now become Christians and have nothing to do with idol worship. [11] It earned its founder a eulogy of being one of "Isoko's greatest evangelists". [9]
Musical impact
The musical impact of the A.A.P.S. evangelical movement continues to be seen today as having revolutionized both Isoko and Urhobo gospel music with the introduction of indigenous African music by Igbudu himself, [2] "a man whose Isoko self-composed songs inspired many". [9]
At that time when the style of worship and the mode of music in the mission churches were predominantly influenced by western civilization, which left many Africans with the feeling of spiritual alienation, Cornelius Adam Igbudu came into the scene and caused a change of practice by introducing indigenous Isoko music to the mission churches. [7] It earned Igbudu a commendation from E. Onosemuode, who called him "a great musical reformer among Isoko and Urhobo Christians". [7]
Other writers in 2022 also mentioned Igbudu's name among those "who could be regarded as pioneers" of
indigenous
African music.
[8] However, other notable people of
Isoko and
Urhobo extractions, who seemed "to have followed after the steps of the pioneers", later included
Evi Edna Ogholi and
Kefee Obareki Don Momoh.
[8]
In 2005, the A.A.P.S. evangelical movement's sustained musical influence in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, was particularly evident in the rendition of "entertainment songs by the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (AAPS) band" during a church service held in commemoration of Bishop Agori Iwe who died on July 9, 1979. [12]
It is to the credit of Igbudu and the A.A.P.S. that the Niger Delta is dominated by a plethora of Nigerian gospel musicians of indigenous music, who have been inspired by Igbudu's "Isoko self-composed songs", [9] notably Sammie Okposo and many others such as Evang. Ekpekuro Omamesiri Jerry (JP), Evang. Emmanuel Ofano, Evang. Solomon Urete, Rev. Festus Ejete, Evang. Amos Ighaka, Evang. Godwin Tom, Evang. Raphael Tedheke, Evang. Lizzy Ofano Okpa and Evang. Solomon Kings. [13]
In an article published by The Nigerian Voice on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Godday Odidi also mentioned the names of two notable women of
Isoko and
Urhobo extractions -
Evi Edna Ogholi and
Kefee Obareki Don Momoh - whom he considered as having "decided to rebrand their music to global recognition".
[13]
Also, in an article earlier published by the same
Newspaper on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, Odidi was quoted saying:
[14]
Late Evangelist Adam Igbudu of Araya community in Isoko South LGA was one of the most Isoko influential pastors we had then... but today nobody celebrates Adam Igbudu except the Adam Preaching Society members and few Isoko gospel musicians. He left unbeatable legacies in the Christian race in Isoko. Adam Igbudu needed to be celebrated on yearly basis if we have a united voice in Isoko.
Socio-economic impact
From the days of Cornelius Adam Igbudu until now, [2] the evangelical group of A.A.P.S. is also noted for its genuine concern about providing social services, especially for its members. [15]
Religious disputes
Igbudu, the founder of the A.A.P.S. evangelical movement, was said to have had a disagreement with a prominent Nigerian Isoko cleric, Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena, whom he accused of "disturbing his ministry" in the Nigerian Anglican Church. [16]
In the early 1970s, the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (A.A.P.S.) and the
Scripture Union (S.U.) were accused of what Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena considered as being "religiously rebellious",
[16] by the Anglican hierarchy who felt that some members of both "evangelistic wings of the Church" were not only introducing strange doctrines to the Church but also challenging the constituted authorities of the Church.
[17] Consequently, it led to the
excommunication of several A.A.P.S. members from the Church.
[17]
In the mid-1980s, "Christian and Human Transformation" was discussed by the International Association for Mission Studies during proceedings of the sixth IAMS conference held on January 8-14, 1985, in Harare, Zimbabwe, where the IAMS' members posited that: "Adam and his retinue were persecuted by the Anglican hierarchy on the grounds of their unorthodox approach in church life and liturgy. However, the hierarchy later came to realize the importance of Adam's evangelisation efforts and in 1963 awarded an official recognition to the movement. With the insurance of peace, Adam led his evangelistic band till his death in 1981". [18]
In its profile on Igbudu, the DACB seemed to have confirmed this fact when it also wrote that: "The organization of the A.A.P.S. also presented Adam with a series of challenges, as he and his group were accused of several things, both from within and from without the church. Some members who were not able to bear the reproach left the group. Also, some of the clergy with the Anglican Church misunderstood Igbudu and his group's activities, and developed serious and subversive suspicions against them. Consequently, there were problems with the church authorities. The misunderstanding stemmed from the unfounded fears and rumors that Igbudu was trying to lead certain members out of the Anglican Church in order to form a splinter church". [2]
In the early 1990s, the
South African Missiological Society (led by
David Bosch who was also the founding editor of its journal, Missionalia), in the same vein, noted that Igbudu and his group were being treated "with much antagonism in the Anglican Church but his group, the Anglican Adam Preaching Society, was later recognised as important for evangelism".
[19]
Leadership
Since the death of its founder on 12 March 1981, [2] [9] [20] the evangelical group of A.A.P.S. has continued to operate under a plethora of elected National Executives.
As of 2022, the leaders of the A.A.P.S. movement included Evang. F. K. A. Usenu (JP) - National President, Evang. Sir. J. I. Afimoni (JP) - Vice National President, Evang. P. E. Ejovi - National Secretary, and Evang. Emma Ofano (JP) - Music Director. [1]
References
- ^ a b c "Welcome to AAPS". AAPS.org.ng. Archived from the original on 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Igbudu, Cornelius Adam". DACB.org. Archived from the original on 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "Omoru passes on". The Nation Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Ekeh, Peter Palmer (2007). History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta. Urhobo Historical Society. p. 220. ISBN 978-978-077-288-8.
- ^ Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Exploring the Life of Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu". Nigerian Times. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Exploring the Life of Evangelist Cornelius Adam Igbudu". NGGOSSIPS.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b c Smit, Johannes; Kumar, Pratap (2018). Study of Religion in Southern Africa: Essays in Honour of G.C. Oosthuizen. BRILL. p. 105. ISBN 978-904-740-749-2.
- ^ a b c Salawu, Abiodun; Fadipe, Israel A. (2022). Indigenous African Popular Music, Volume 1: Prophets and Philosophers. Springer Nature. p. 157. ISBN 978-303-097-884-6.
- ^ a b c d e "Cornelius Adam Igbudu: Isoko's Greatest Evangelist". NewsNGR. Archived from the original on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ Erivwo, Samuel U. (1979). The Urhobo, the Isoko and the Itsekiri: A History of Christianity in Nigeria. Daystar Press. p. 139. ISBN 978-978-122-139-2.
- ^ "HISTORY OF URHOBO PEOPLE". EdoWorld.net. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ "A Memorial Service for Agori Iwe, First Anglican (Communion) Bishop of Benin, Nigeria". Urhobo Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ a b Odidi, Godday. "10 Top Isoko And Urhobo Gospel Musicians In Nigeria". The Nigerian Voice. Archived from the original on 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Odidi, Godday. "We don't have influential Pastors and Musicians in Isoko-Pastor Odidi". The Nigerian Voice. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
- ^ Adekunle, Ralph (28 September 2008). "Nigeria: Church Gives Family Car for Dedication". AllAfrica. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^
a
b Eyoboka, Sam; Abugoh, Gladys.
"Why I fought Idahosa, Anglicans - Archbishop Christian Aggrey Apena".
Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from
the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
Archdeacon Adam Igbudu said I was disturbing his ministry, that he was the only one licensed to preach the gospel outside.
- ^ a b Erivwo, Sam U. "CRISIS IN BENIN DIOCESE UNDER BISHOP AGORI IWE". Urhobo Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2017-10-26. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
- ^ International Association for Mission Studies (1985). Christian and Human Transformation: Proceedings of the Sixth Conference of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS), Harare, Zimbabwe, January 8-14, 1985. IAMS. p. 115.
- ^ South African Missiological Society (1992). Missionalia, Volume 20. The Society. p. 42.
- ^ "History of the Founder". AAPS.org.ng. Archived from the original on 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
External links