‘Preaching Hell Won’t Convert Nigerians Already Suffering’ — Pastor Ibiyeomie

Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, has called on Christians to make compassion and the love of Jesus Christ central to their evangelism, particularly when reaching Nigerians facing economic hardship.

Ibiyeomie said messages centred on hell and punishment may have little impact on people who are already struggling with the realities of poverty and economic hardship.

He spoke on Sunday during a sermon titled The Power of Compassion, monitored by Vanguard.

The pastor said Christians should instead assure people experiencing difficult circumstances that God loves them and can transform their lives.

“You can imagine preaching hell to Nigerians; they are already in hell. There is no way you will preach hell to Nigerians and anybody will be born again,” Ibiyeomie said.

He urged Christians to change their approach when preaching to people under severe economic pressure.

“Just tell them God loves you; He can change your story. Come to Jesus. But if you say, ‘You’ll go to hell,’ the man will say, ‘The suffering wey I dey suffer now, na wetin e be?’”

He added: “That kind of message can’t convert one soul. You go there and say, ‘If you don’t convert to Jesus, you are going to hell.’ The man will say he has not even seen food to eat, he has not bought petrol; already, he is in hell.”

Ibiyeomie maintained that compassion should be at the heart of Christian evangelism, saying believers should remind people that Jesus loves them despite whatever challenges they may be facing.

“Compassion will make you tell them Jesus loves you. In spite of what you’re going through, He will show you His mercy. Compassion is the greatest tool that brings people to Christ. It is from your heart,” he said.

According to the pastor, God is compassionate and Christians are expected to demonstrate the same quality toward others.

Quoting Psalm 103:8, he said: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”

He further stated that God does not treat people according to their past failures and mistakes, urging Christians who have benefited from divine compassion to extend the same grace to others.

Ibiyeomie cited Ephesians 4:32, saying: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

He described compassion as a powerful reflection of God’s nature and explained that it goes beyond sympathising with someone’s suffering.

He said genuine compassion involves three things: recognising a person’s situation, caring about it and taking action.

The pastor also cautioned Christians against viewing financial assistance as the only way to demonstrate compassion, saying people can be helped through faith and other forms of support.

Citing Acts 3:6, Ibiyeomie said Christians could exercise their faith on behalf of those in need, stressing that although financial assistance may sometimes be required, true compassion goes beyond money.

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