Exclusive: The coming of Christianity to Ebiraland, Zac's perspective
Reverend Zacchaeus is the grand child of Pastor Joseph Asun, the founder of Christianity in Ihima and environs. In this interview, he speaks of how Christianity started in Ebiraland, the challenges at the early stage and the progress thus far.
Background
My name is Pastor Zacchaeus Asun, I was born in July 1947. I am the grandchild of Pastor Joseph Asun, the founder of Christianity in Ihima and environs. I was a teacher and a civil servant and retired as Permanent Secretary. I am a reverend, married with children.
Can you tell us how Christianity started in Ebiraland.
Christianity started in Ihima and environs in 1921 through Pastor Joseph Asun. Before this time, Christianity had already started in Okene. Why I said Ihima and environs is because history has it that people were coming from Ege, Okengwe, Adavi, Ageva and other neighbouring villages. They started together with the establishment of St. Peter’s Church Ikuehi and also kick-started St. Peter Primary School in 1922, making the school the first primary school in Ihima and environs started by Asun and his group. It took them one year to settle down before they could start the education aspect of it. They traveled to Ikare and other places to hunt for teachers that could teach in the school. They started their missionary work under the umbrella of Church Missionary Society (CMS).
What are the challenges encountered at the early stage?
There were a lot of challenges at the early stage because people generally believed that Asun and his group were just making people to be lazy instead of going to farm, because they could not comprehend what it meant by somebody “writing paper and the paper will be talking.” At a point, their churches were burnt down and they had to go from house to house begging people to release their children.
What has been the efforts of Christian leaders in Ebiraland in ensuring peaceful coexistence with other religious faithful?
Christians in Ebiraland are generally peaceful. We don't quarrel with other religions, both Muslims and traditional worshipers can attest to this fact. They were able to achieve this because of the education they were exposed to at the early stage of the evangelism.
What advice do you have for Ebira Christians
Ebira Christians should continue to evangelize and show peace as their religion has shown, and try to help the poor ones to be educated.
This interview was conducted by Ihima Students' Union in the course of publishing the union's magazine (Epoch)
Pastor Zacchaeus Asun
Background
My name is Pastor Zacchaeus Asun, I was born in July 1947. I am the grandchild of Pastor Joseph Asun, the founder of Christianity in Ihima and environs. I was a teacher and a civil servant and retired as Permanent Secretary. I am a reverend, married with children.
Can you tell us how Christianity started in Ebiraland.
Christianity started in Ihima and environs in 1921 through Pastor Joseph Asun. Before this time, Christianity had already started in Okene. Why I said Ihima and environs is because history has it that people were coming from Ege, Okengwe, Adavi, Ageva and other neighbouring villages. They started together with the establishment of St. Peter’s Church Ikuehi and also kick-started St. Peter Primary School in 1922, making the school the first primary school in Ihima and environs started by Asun and his group. It took them one year to settle down before they could start the education aspect of it. They traveled to Ikare and other places to hunt for teachers that could teach in the school. They started their missionary work under the umbrella of Church Missionary Society (CMS).
What are the challenges encountered at the early stage?
There were a lot of challenges at the early stage because people generally believed that Asun and his group were just making people to be lazy instead of going to farm, because they could not comprehend what it meant by somebody “writing paper and the paper will be talking.” At a point, their churches were burnt down and they had to go from house to house begging people to release their children.
What has been the efforts of Christian leaders in Ebiraland in ensuring peaceful coexistence with other religious faithful?
Christians in Ebiraland are generally peaceful. We don't quarrel with other religions, both Muslims and traditional worshipers can attest to this fact. They were able to achieve this because of the education they were exposed to at the early stage of the evangelism.
What advice do you have for Ebira Christians
Ebira Christians should continue to evangelize and show peace as their religion has shown, and try to help the poor ones to be educated.
This interview was conducted by Ihima Students' Union in the course of publishing the union's magazine (Epoch)
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