The Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has urged Christians to focus more on messages of love and compassion when preaching the gospel to Nigerians, saying the country’s economic hardship has made traditional messages about hell less effective.
Ibiyeomie made the remarks while speaking to members of his congregation, where he explained that many Nigerians are currently battling severe economic difficulties and may not respond positively to messages centred primarily on the consequences of hell.
According to the clergyman, some Nigerians are already experiencing such difficult living conditions that describing hell as a consequence of rejecting Christ may not resonate with them.
He said Christians should instead emphasise God’s love and His ability to transform people’s circumstances.
Ibiyeomie stated, “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 someone struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and fuel could already perceive their current circumstances as a form of hell.
The pastor stressed that compassion should be at the heart of evangelism, urging Christians to assure people that Jesus loves them regardless of the challenges they are facing.
He said, “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.”
Ibiyeomie further stated that compassion is an attribute of God and encouraged Christians to demonstrate the same quality in their dealings with others.
Quoting Psalm 103:8, he said, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”
The pastor also maintained that God does not judge people solely by their past mistakes and failures, urging those who have experienced God’s compassion to extend the same grace to others.
Citing Ephesians 4:32, he said, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ibiyeomie described compassion as one of the strongest expressions of God’s nature, stressing that it goes beyond simply feeling sorry for someone.
He noted that genuine compassion should translate into practical love, kindness, forgiveness and a willingness to help others, particularly those facing difficult circumstances.