The Apostolic Church Nigeria is a Pentecostal Christian denomination in Nigeria with its national headquarters in Lagos and international headquarters in Penygroes, South Wales, UK.
History The church has its origins in the founding of a prayer group called "Precious Stone" in Ijebu Ode by the Anglican leader Joseph Shadare in 1918.Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 130Harvey Whitehouse, Luther H. Martin, Theorizing Religions Past: Archaeology, History, and Cognition, Rowman Altamira, USA, 2004, p. 164 In 1922, the group left the Anglican Church.Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 130 The group joined the Apostolic Church in 1931.Inemesit Udodiong, 11 things that are never going to change about this denomination, pulse.ng, Nigeria, August 14, 2017 In 1938, the denomination counted 120 churches in Nigeria.Richard Burgess, Nigeria's Christian Revolution, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2008, p. 69
In 2011, the denomination inaugurated a 100,000 seat temple called National Temple in Lagos.Inemesit Udodiong, 11 things that are never going to change about this denomination, pulse.ng, Nigeria, August 14, 2017
In 2018, the church had 4.5 million members in Nigeria.News Agency of Nigeria, The Apostolic Church celebrates 100 years, tasks members on politics, theeagleonline.com.ng, Nigeria, September 2, 2018
Doctrine and belief The Apostolic Church Nigeria is built on a fundamental doctrinal belief based on the Holy Scriptures. Its theological beliefs are summarised in its confession of faith, known as the Tenets.
Organization and administration The Apostolic Church Nigeria is administered as a single entity by the National Council and it is headed by a president. The current president is Apostle E.S Igwe, who was the chairman of Igboland territory. Igwe succeeded Pastor G.O. Olutola in February 2017. G.O Olutola, who succeeded Eyo Okon in 2011, retired at the age of 80 and handed over the leadership to E.S Igwe.
Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University) In 2011, the church founded Samuel Adegboyega University, a faith-based tertiary institution located in Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria and named after LAWNA's first territorial chairman Samuel Adegboyega. In 2022, the National University Commission (NUC) approved the university`s change of name from Samuel Adegboyega University to Glorious Vision University.
References
External links Official Website