A story of prayer, unity and mission.
From a small group of believers in Kaduna in 1974 to a nationwide fellowship of Egbira Christians.
A story of prayer, unity and mission.
ECUF was born from a simple but profound conviction: that Christians from different denominations could stand together in love, prayer and shared mission to take the gospel to Ebiraland. What began with a small group of believers in Kaduna in 1974 has grown into a fellowship with a continuing vision for unity, evangelism, Christian education, missions and service.
The beginning of a shared vision.
In July 1974, members of Kaduna Christian Assembly, now All Nations Christian Assembly (ANCA), gathered on a Saturday to clear the overgrown surroundings of their vicarage at 12 Borno Road, Kaduna. During that work, a brother became deeply convinced that God was opening a way to reach Ebiraland with the Gospel of Salvation and shared the burden with two other Ebira brethren who were present.
One of them, to their amazement, confirmed that he too had experienced the same conviction. They prayed together, embraced the assignment wholeheartedly and began to seek God's direction for the work. Within a month, the group had grown to six committed members.
Six believers, one mission.
The early work was carried by six brethren, supported faithfully by their wives:
- Mr. James A. Onukoko
- Mr. Stephen F. Sadiku
- Mr. Jacob M. Bello
- Mr. Joseph J. Bello
- Mr. Emmanuel I. Bello
- Mr. Joshua M. Atureta
They served with love, availability and perseverance. They sought God's strength and wisdom, established a weekly prayer meeting on a rock not far from Constain, and met on the first Sunday of every month for planning, prayer and publicity. Their example established an enduring pattern for ECUF: prayer first, fellowship across denominational lines, and practical action in service of the gospel.
From a Christian body to a fellowship of unity.
As the membership and vision of the group developed, the name Ebira Christian Body (ECB) was adopted. A constitution was subsequently developed, with a team working under Prof. Peter Asun in Zaria. Following wider consultation with other branches and Christian leaders, the name was changed to Ebira Christian Unity Fellowship (ECUF).
The name expressed the heart of the vision: ECUF would welcome believers from different Christian denominations and provide a platform where Christians could work together without requiring uniformity of denomination or church tradition.
A vision that travelled beyond Kaduna.
The Fellowship took root in Kaduna, while the wider desire was to prayerfully establish a strong presence in Ebiraland itself and make it the operational centre of the work. Over time, branches emerged in Zaria, Lagos, Ilorin, Kano, Jos and Oro, reflecting the growing desire of Ebira Christians in different locations to remain connected and serve together.
Active Christians serving together.
ECUF members are first and foremost members of the Body of Christ. The Fellowship encourages members to be born-again, active and fruitful Christians who participate meaningfully in their respective congregations and denominations.
The vision is for members to be examples of Christian character, dependable servants and positive pillars within their churches, families and communities. ECUF therefore seeks not merely spectators, but believers who are willing to pray, serve, give, evangelise and contribute to the advancement of God's work.
Unity without uniformity. Mission without division.
The central call of ECUF is to unite Christians from different denominations in Ebiraland for the effective propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the salvation of souls.
That calling has also included encouraging and supporting the translation of the Holy Bible into the Ebira language and the development of Christian literature; encouraging missionaries and mission work; and promoting cooperation, teamwork and fellowship among churches in Ebiraland despite denominational and doctrinal differences.
Faith put into action.
As the Fellowship grew, the brethren at home were eagerly awaiting the work. Prayer and fasting accompanied careful preparation, sacrifice and mobilisation. A Muslim-convert preacher, Aroworakewu, was invited from Ibadan, and a week-long programme was organised across Okene, Okengwe and Ikuehi.
The early outreach brought its own challenges, but the brethren remained peaceful, prayerful and focused on their mission. At Okene, the team had interactions with the police after reporting its presence; at Ikuehi, the programme proceeded without difficulty. At Okengwe, the gathering faced opposition, yet the meetings continued and the outreach became a testimony to the perseverance of those who had embraced the work.
Most importantly, the crusade witnessed people responding to the Gospel. The experience strengthened the conviction that the work had a future and that faithful cooperation could open doors for greater ministry.
What began then continues today.
ECUF is not a church, nor does it seek to become one. It is a non-denominational and interdenominational Christian fellowship committed to the cause of Christ and to reaching people with the Gospel.
By the grace of God, the Fellowship has organised and supported seminars, annual general meetings, crusades and other programmes. It has also participated in and co-sponsored significant initiatives, including the translation of the Bible into the Ebira language, the development of electronic versions of the Ebira Bible, the production and launch of the Ebira version of the film Jesus, and the annual Ebira Bible Reading Day.
How much more can united Christians accomplish?
The history of ECUF reminds us that a small number of committed people, working together in faith, prayer and sacrifice, can accomplish much.
If a few could begin so much, what can many united Christians accomplish today?