Nigeria (MNN) — Confession and forgiveness can often be the seed of Gospel work. That’s the case for e3 Partners‘ Nigeria team.
Dennis Larkin gathered the new team together in 2019, and he asked them if they had any conflict with each other before entering ministry together. “The six of them were from four different people groups. And then I asked that question, is there a conflict? ‘No, no, no, no, no,’ till we got to the last one sitting next to me. And he said, ‘Yes.’ And everybody looks surprised. ‘Well, what do you mean?’ And he said, ‘Actually, [I have conflict] with all of your people groups.’ He had no animosity, no hatred, no anger, he was just speaking the truth.”
Violence from the past
As they sat there, the man revealed the source of his pain, which went back to the Nigerian Civil War from 1967-1970. Larkin recounts, “He said, ‘My people group was declared enemy of the state. All of your people served in the military. And your people beat, abused, raped, and killed our people, including cutting the babies out of our women.’”
Instead of declaring innocence, the other Nigerians immediately repented on behalf of their people groups. Larkin says, “He looked them right in the eyes and said, ‘I received your apology. And on behalf of my people,’ and he named his people, ‘I forgive you.’”
Larkin also repented on behalf of the history of European brutality in Nigeria. The group embraced and wept together.
Today, this team works powerfully for Christ’s kingdom in Nigeria, training and evangelized hundreds. Meet these Christians by joining an e3 Partners virtual mission trip to Nigeria. Register or learn about other strips here.
The header image shows a scene from the Nigerian Civil War. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)
