Allen Olatunde
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
The essay, “Life and Works of
Thomas Jefferson Bowen and the Challenges for Contemporary Nigerian Baptist
Missionaries”, is an historical
work that reflects on the good, the bad and the ugly experiences of a Southern
Baptist missionary, T. J. Bowen and the relevant applications for contemporary
missionaries in Nigerian Baptist context. The significance of the study lies on
the ability to pioneer missions among the people of strange culture, language,
colour and values successfully. This project researches into problems
observable in the life and works of Bowen that need clarification. They are
problem of contextualizing mission, developing means and
strategy for language barriers, mission funding and support, neglecting
education as mission tool and ill-health challenges of missionaries which
usually truncate dreams. This essay adopts historical method using library
research, interview, and online resource tools. Through critical analysis of
the adventure of Bowen, it was discovered that he pioneered Baptist missions in
Central Africa and Brazil from 1850 to 1860 where he faced war against slavery
and gospel. It was observed that Bowen had a good beginning but ended with
discouraging and pathetic trauma. In the process of the research, the mission
of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) in line with Bowen’s pioneering task
was analyzed. It was discovered that the weakness and external threat of NBC
missions in comparison with Bowen’ and churches outweighs her strengths and
opportunities. The weak points are funding system, welfare of serving and
retired missionaries, health matters and unhealthy rivalry with churches on
missions. It is however recommended that the Global Missions Board (GMB) of NBC
should be pragmatic in strategic making. She should be aware of the psychological
welfare of her missionaries and provide a health insurance scheme for serving missionaries.
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