The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) faces a critical juncture, as highlighted by Elder Joshua Danladi, an 85-year-old stalwart of the Karu District Church Council (DCC).
In a compelling interview marking his birthday on June 1, 2025, Elder Joshua issued a passionate plea to ECWA leadership, under Rev. Dr. Job Bagat, to address the growing divisions and stagnation threatening the church’s mission. “ECWA is in the news every day for divisions everywhere among the DCC.”
His remarks underscore the risks of disunity and the urgent need for revitalized leadership to steer ECWA toward growth and stability.
Elder Joshua voiced concerns about ECWA’s perceived decline since the retirement of its former president, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya. He pointed to a noticeable slowdown in evangelism, church planting, and spiritual vitality—core pillars of ECWA’s identity.
“The church is inactive in recent times,” he lamented, noting that the high expectations following Rev. Dr. Job Bagat’s election as the 12th President in April 2024 have yet to be fully met.
The church, he argued, must rise above its current challenges to reclaim its legacy as a vibrant Christian institution.
A central theme of Elder Joshua’s warning is the intensifying divisions within ECWA, particularly among District Church Councils (DCCs) nationwide. These rifts, if left unaddressed, risk fracturing the church’s unity and undermining its corporate existence.
“The unity of the church is under intense divisions,” he cautioned, urging Rev. Dr. Job to handle this threat with honesty and care. Failure to bridge these divides could erode ECWA’s influence and weaken its ability to fulfill its spiritual and social mandates.
Elder Joshua highlighted critical areas where ECWA is falling short. He decried the church’s inadequate support for its pastors, who serve as under-shepherds of local church councils and prayer houses.
Many lack the resources and care needed to lead effectively, he noted. Additionally, ECWA’s response to the plight of members affected by insecurity—banditry, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and kidnappings—has been insufficient.
“So many of our members suffer losses, with no concern,” he said, pointing to destroyed churches and exorbitant ransoms paid for kidnapped members. This neglect, he warned, risks alienating the faithful and weakening the church’s moral authority.
Elder Joshua called on Rev. Dr. Job to adopt a more holistic approach, prioritizing the corporate social needs of pastors and members alike. He emphasized the need for ECWA to support the needy, the weak, and the aged, ensuring the church remains a beacon of hope in trying times.
“ECWA must grow above this level,” he urged, stressing that the current leadership must outperform its predecessors to secure the church’s future.
Speaking from his home in Karu, Nasarawa State, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Elder Joshua reflected on his 85 years of life and service to ECWA.
“What is it that the Lord has not done for me?” he asked, giving glory to God for his blessings. Yet, his joy was tempered by concern for the church he has served faithfully.
“My prayers are that the current leadership must perform more than the former,” he said, expressing both hope and apprehension about ECWA’s trajectory.
The risks Elder Joshua outlined—stagnation, disunity, and neglect—pose existential threats to ECWA’s mission. If divisions escalate, the church could face fragmentation, diminished influence, and a loss of trust among its members.
However, his call to action offers a roadmap for renewal: prioritize unity, strengthen evangelism, support pastors, and address the needs of members affected by insecurity.
By heeding this octogenarian’s wisdom, ECWA’s leadership can steer the church toward a future of growth, resilience, and spiritual vitality.
As Elder Joshua concluded, “I’m jittery and fearful if the current leaders will take us to the promised land. But I hope and pray for huge growth and success.” His words are both a challenge and a prayer for ECWA to rise above its challenges and fulfill its divine calling. The time for decisive, unifying leadership is now.
