Since its beginnings
in Calabar in 1846, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN)
has been firmly established, with congregations spread across
the country. The church has nine regional synods, over fifty
presbyteries, and more than two thousand parishes, congregations,
outreaches, and mission fields.
Over the years, the church has been involved in education through
the numerous primary and post-primary schools established and
run by parishes, presbyteries, and synods. The PCN founded one
of the foremost educational institutions in the country, the
Hope Waddell Training Institution, in Calabar in 1895. It has
been in the forefront of producing the educated elites of this
country, including the first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi
Azikiwe, and the first governor of Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Akanu
Ibiam.
The PCN is a first-generation church with a wide circle of
ecumenical relations. It is a member of the World Council of
Churches, the World Reformed Ecumenical Council, the Alliance
of Reformed Churches, the Christian Council of Nigeria, the
Reformed Ecumenical Council of Nigeria, and the Christian Association
of Nigeria, among others.
Regional liaison Glen Hallead writes, “The church encourages
its members and all Christians to be engaged in partisan politics
and preaches the practice of the ‘politics of righteousness.’
Only when Christians practice politics according to the teachings
of Jesus can we establish a godly society.” |
