“This quite remarkable history of Christianity in Nigeria is not just the first overall treatment of its subject on a grand scale, but a providential Christian history of great narrative power. Think the Venerable Bede, think Samuel Johnson! Ayodeji Abodunde has drawn on a very wide range of sources—published books and articles, archives, interviews—which he has deployed masterfully to produce an admirably organised and vividly written story. It brings to life the great cast of characters, who in diverse ways have created Nigeria’s vibrant Christian community.”

—John D. Y. Peel, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

“A Heritage of Faith is an incredibly ambitious work, and a real achievement by Ayodeji Abodunde. Nobody doubts the vast significance of Nigeria in the emerging Christian world landscape, and so it is enormously valuable to have a book of this kind, which offers nothing less than a history of the whole Christian epic in that nation. It is all the stronger for being richly illustrated with original documents. I enjoyed the book and learned much from it! I hope it finds the wide readership it deserves.”

—Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University.

“A Heritage of Faith is a definitive, well-researched and eminently readable historical chronicle of the Christian faith in Nigeria, a prophetic land of destiny. Accomplished with a spirit of excellence, it faithfully highlights the victories as well as the shortcomings and challenges of the Christian faith in Nigeria since inception till the present. The book captivates with its rigorous, encyclopaedic, reference book presentation in an easy-to-read, free-flowing manner. . . . I commend this book to all as a must-read.”

—Olubi Johnson, Senior Pastor, Scripture Pasture Christian Centre, Ibadan

“It is clear from these pages that Ayodeji Abodunde has produced a panoramic review of Christianity in Nigeria: from the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1807, till the Charismatic movements of the 1970s. This book is a remarkable work. . . . This is the story of our fathers. Thank God that Abodunde finds the story irresistible.”

—Modupe Oduyoye, Literature Secretary, Christian Council of Nigeria (1968–1990)

“We have in this monumental work a great story . . . told in a very unique style. It is a story that all Christians in Nigeria have long waited for. It is the story of the development of the Christian faith in Nigeria from inception to date. A Heritage of Faith is a priceless gift which Ayodeji Abodunde is offering to all Nigerians no matter the individual’s religious persuasion or denominational affiliation. It has the qualities of an encyclopaedia that should be found in the library of every Nigerian. What Samuel Johnson (author of History of the Yorubas) did for the Yorubas, Ayodeji Abodunde has now done for the church in Nigeria.”

—Akinyele Omoyajowo, Formerly Professor of Church History, University of Ife

“Ayodeji Abodunde’s book, A Heritage of Faith, gives the Christian world a vivid chronicle of the past that touches Europe, England, the United States and Africa. He reveals the mostly ignored and unknown facts about the magnitude of Africa’s strategic evangelistic role in the twenty-first century. His examination of the role of the missionary, the dynamics of evolving organizational development, leadership roles, church growth principles, ethnic-tribal-nation conflict and resolution, changing and emergent models of both congregational and national movements over time, and the challenges of governments, Islam and other religious movements, are comprehensive in their detail.”

—John N. Vaughan, author of The World’s 20 Largest Churches 

“This is a lively, encouraging, illuminating and faith-assuring and reassuring piece. From the eyes of Ayodeji Abodunde we are taken back in time, to the beginning of the Christian story in Nigeria. A Heritage of Faith will appeal to a wide audience: Christians and non-Christians, secular or church historians, or those who will read either for self-education or just the pleasure of reading; or for reasons of critique and review.”

—Christopher Oshun, Professor of Christian Studies and Church History, Lagos State University, Ojo

“This biblical perspective to global, African, and Nigerian history clearly proves that the foundations of our modern African nations, were laid by carriers of the gospel who fought and won hard battles to restore the dignity to the man of colour. This before civilization became a possibility.”

—Ladi Peter Thompson, Senior Pastor, Living Waters Unlimited Church, Lagos

“A Heritage of Faith by Ayodeji Abodunde can be aptly described as ‘His Story’ in Nigeria. That is, God’s record of His dealings with His people in the world’s largest Black country, bringing to us a retrospective nostalgia that defines our strategy and our mission in this generation. Never before has anybody captured our past so distinctly and succinctly, that I am compelled to say that if we do not study this material, then we might be doomed to reenact all our past failures.”

—Niyi Gbade, Country Coordinator, Finish the Task Network (FINTASK), Nigeria

“A Heritage of Faith is a comprehensive story of modern Christianity in Nigeria. It also tells the story of the origin and growth of Nigerian Christianity. Its biographical material is rich and revealing. A must-read by anyone interested in the religious history of Nigeria.”

—Musa A. B. Gaiya, Professor of Church History and Muslim/Christian Relations, University of Jos