History of United Evangelical Church, Nigeria
As we look at the historical landmarks of the church, we have every reason to be grateful to God for the spiritual, social, economic and material growth of the church as evidenced in various ways and places such as listed below:
THE FIRST 100 YEARS OF QUA IBOE CHURCH
1863: Samuel Bill born on January 10.
1887: Samuel Bill sailed for Nigeria on September 14. Arrived Calabar in Nigeria on October 6
1888: Archie Baillie joined Samuel Bill in Ibeno. Qua Iboe Missionary Association formed in Belfast on November 12.
1890: First Holy Communion Service with two African Christians present
Samuel Bill and Grace Kerr married on October 14 in Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church, Belfast. Foundation of Qua Iboe Mission Council on November 7
1894: Mr. and Mrs. Baillie began missionary work at Okat.
1898: Mr. John Kirk and Stephen Equalo, an Ibeno teacher, took up residence in Etinan.
1900: First Baptism in Etinan David Ekong ordained first Qua Iboe Church Pastor.
1902: Mr. R. L. Mackeown appointed as first full time General Secretary.
1903: Mission Office moved to Scottish Provident Building, Belfast from a smaller office in YMCA building.
1904: Mr. and Mrs. Heaney began missionary work at Ikot Ubo. Training Institute, where a number of pastors received their education, opened in Okat by Miss Gordon.
1905: Mr. W. Eakin moved to Ikot Ubo. He saw many outstations opened.
1906: Mission outstations opened at Inuoko, Atiamkpat and Mbioto. Mr. R. W. Smith began his mission work. Training Institute for Girls Cottage Institute opened at Okat.
1907: Eket station established
1909: Mr. R. W. Smith moved to Ikot Edong to open mission field. Mr. J. W. Westgarth moved to Aka, Uyo to open new mission field Mrs. Westgarth died and was buried in Etinan.
1915: Mr. J. Nelson began mission work in Ika Annang Mr. J. J. Taylor began the training Institute in Etinan.
1917: Mr. A. V. Wilcox opened mission field at Aba.
1918: Mr. W. Eakin died in Nigeria
1920: The Girls’ Institute opened in Afaha Eket.
1921: Mr. W. L. Wheatley began his missionary work among the Igbo people.
1922: Mr. Wilcox died in Nigeria.
1926: Mr. and Mrs. McEwan began missionary work in Ibesit.
1927: Etinan Hospital was established as a medical centre.
1931: Mr. Stanley Benington opened the Qua Iboe Mission Field in Lobi land, French West Africa (now Burkina Faso). Mr. D. O’Neil began missionary work in Igala.
Pastor David Ekong died on March 17.
1932: Mr. and Mrs. Dickson began missionary work in Adoru.
1933: The Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom was opened. Mrs. Grace Bill was called to be with the Lord on August 12.
1936: Mr. and Mrs. John Curry began missionary work in Bassa.
1941: Official opening of Qua Iboe Church Bible College (now Samuel Bill Theological College), Abak on
January 8.
1942: Mr. R. L. Mckeown was called home by the Lord on January 24. Mr. R. L. Mckeown was to be with the Lord on March 11.
1949: The opening of Ochadamu Medical Centre
1960: Qua Iboe Church Bible College, (now Peter Achimugu College of Theology), Ankpa began its training in Ministry
1974: Mr. H. W. Dickson began missionary work in the then Bendel State.
1984: Qua Iboe Mission changed its name to Qua Iboe Church on May 1.
1987: Centenary Celebration
ADMINISTRATION
At the National level, the Church is administered by a National Conference, which meets at least once a year, at an approved venue, made up of accredited representation of all the component Area Conference and Township Superintendencies and Districts.
This Conference is served by a Council, which performs advisory functions, and a Standing Committee, which performs executive functions. The National Conference is also served by other Committees, including the Ministry Committee, the Posting Committee, the Education Committee, etc.
The administration of Area Conferences follows a similar pattern. The Township Superintendencies and Districts and regular Superintendencies are administered by their respective Elders Central Sessions.
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History of UEC, Utako, Abuja
God the Father
There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three manifestations: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, the complete and final sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
The Holy Spirit
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and during this age, to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
Doctrine
The doctrines of the United Evangelical Church (UEC)/ Qua Iboe Church (QIC) are and shall be that the Church affirms its faith in the supreme authority and sufficiency of the Holy Scripture as the Word of God; the eternal oneness in the Godhead of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the love of God to the world manifested in the gift of His Son, the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, His sinless life, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension and coming again; man’s fall, alienation, spiritual death, eternal punishment, the necessity of repentance, redemption from sin through the propitiatory sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ; justification by faith alone, the necessity of the direct work of the Holy Spirit to impart and sustain spiritual life; the essential unity of all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the obligation resting on those who bear His name to afford evidence of their discipleship by a life of obedience to His command.
Mission Statement
The mission of the United Evangelical Church, Utako is to reach the unreached, church the reached, unite the churched, train the united and empower the trained to express their love for all men through service throughout Abuja metropolis.
Vision Statement
The vision of the United Evangelical Church (UEC)/Qua Iboe Church (QIC), Utako is to become the most successful Church in the task of making Christ known and loved by every heart in every home within Abuja metropolis.
Purpose
The primary and singular purpose of the Church is to worship and glorify God and ensure ultimate salvation of its members and the unreached people of the world. This purpose is to be achieved through the following
Aims & Objectives
The Aims and Objectives of the Qua Iboe Church are and shall be:
(i) To proclaim the Gospel of the Grace of God;
(ii) To instruct its members in the Word of God that they may be built up in their most holy faith;
(iii) To train its members to undertake increasingly the responsibility of self-support, self-government, and self extension;
(iv) To imbue its members with a sense of their responsibility towards those as yet unreached by the Gospel;
(v) To open and run schools, hospitals and other Institutions such as may be approved by the Church for the social well-being of the community and the society at large; and
(vi) To engage in Social and Rehabilitation work by providing physically and spiritually for the hungry, the poor and the needy.