Browsing by Author "Yinka Adewuni ADEWALE"

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    Religious Syncretism and Baptist Mission Work in Ojo Island Lagos State, Nigeria
    (Lead City University, 2023-12) Yinka Adewuni ADEWALE
    The Baptist mission work in Ojo Island mission field has been experiencing religious syncretism. Existing studies on Baptist mission work focussed on foreign missions with less emphasis on Ojo Island mission field, particularly on the challenges of religious syncretism in Ojo Island, Lagos State Nigeria. Therefore, the study investigated factors responsible for religious syncretism in Ojo Island, Lagos State, Nigeria with view to identify ways to strengthening Baptist Mission work. The framework for the study was premised on Divine strategy theory and religious communication theory. Historical and descriptive survey design were adopted. Respondents were purposively selected from five (5) local communities where Baptist mission works experiencing religious syncretism. In- depth interviewees were conducted with thirteen (13) missionary pastors, two community leaders (2) and nine (9) church members. A questionnaire was administered to two hundred and twenty three (223) members of the selected communities using random sampling method. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while and qualitative data were content analysed. Most of the respondents 77% were males while 23% respondents accounted for females. Factors responsible for religious syncretism on Baptist mission in Ojo Island include: assumption that all religious traditions are relative and complimentary, community background and economic life, seeking for rescue in a time of crisis and insecurity, family ties and brotherhood relationship. Based on the study, some of the effects of religious syncretism on Baptists mission work in Ojo Island include denial of Biblical truth and morality, it promotes practices of charms alongside Christian faith and sacrament, it causes dilution and distortion of Christian doctrines. The study recommends intentional follow-up and discipleship, spiritual parenting, deliberate attention to the spiritual needs and welfare of the converts as relevant ways to strengthening Baptist work in Ojo Island. Keywords: Baptist, Mission, Ojo Island, Religious Syncretism Word Count: 287