Bethany Welcomes EYN President

Bethany Theological Seminary welcomed Rev. Dr. Daniel Mbaya, the newly elected president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, to Richmond, Indiana on July 8-10, 2024. 

Mbaya, who was previously general secretary of the denomination, will oversee the affairs of 1.5 million worshippers over the next four years. Directly before his visit to Bethany, Mbaya attended Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The EYN denomination is notable for its peace witness. During a gathering with faculty, staff, and students at Bethany, Mbaya described how the denomination has lost 1000 members and many church buildings as a result of attacks carried out by the  muslim insurgent group Jam??at Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Da?awah wa al-Jih?d often referred to in the media as Boko Haram). He noted that there have been no instances of EYN pastors or members engaging in retaliatory violence. 

Over the last eight years, 87 churches have been rebuilt and the denomination is growing in membership. Mbaya believes that the partnership between Bethany and EYN is vital and important. He has served as an instructor of Bethany courses, and he appreciates the Seminary’s commitment to provide excellent theological education to Nigerian students, and in particular, its focus on peacemaking and following the example of Jesus. 

Rev. Dr. Jeff Carter, president of Bethany, says that Mbaya’s visit highlights the importance of the Seminary’s Nigerian Educational Partnership. 

“We are very happy to welcome our friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Daniel Mbaya to campus,” says Carter. “We look forward to building this partnership in the future.”

While in Richmond, Mbaya has met with local government officials and leaders of educational institutions.

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