ECWA USA History

by Rev. Sunday Bwanhot

ECWA formerly launched its foreign missions during the centennial celebrations in December 1993 when its own ‘three pioneer couples’: Simon & Ruth Yako, Joshua and Joanna Bogunjoko, and Sunday & Grace Bwanhot were commissioned at the Jos township stadium.

ECWA grew out of SIM’s ministry (formally Sudan Interior Mission; Now: Serving In Missions). It began its work in Nigeria in December 1893 through the pioneering efforts of Rowland Bingham, Thomas Kent and Walter Gowans. The Church planted then was called SIM church but it was handed over to nationals in 1954. ECWA was registered in Nigeria as Evangelical Churches of West Africa on June 11, 1956. Later the name was amended to be: Evangelical Church of West Africa and now: Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).

With the exception of some EMS (Evangelical Missionary Society) missionaries working in some countries in West Africa and the few churches in the USA and Britain, ECWA has largely remained a Nigerian church. It is to be noted that EMS of ECWA is the single largest indigenous mission agency in Africa. Although ECWA, through its mission agency, EMS, has a foreign mission policy, the policy continues to remain in the back burner of ECWA.

Officially, ECWA formerly launched its foreign missions during the centennial celebrations in December 1993 when its own ‘three pioneer couples’: Simon & Ruth Yako, Joshua and Joanna Bogunjoko, and Sunday & Grace Bwanhot were commissioned at the Jos township stadium. The Yakos proceeded to Togo (Now in Nigeria), the Bogunjoko’s to Niger (Now in USA) and the Bwanhots in the USA. God made the move in spite of ECWA’s non committal to global evangelization. While God was using Rev. James Gabis to initiate ECWA’s ministries in the UK, God worked also through individuals here in the US to establish the ministry. Currently Israel and Gambia are the latest mission fields where ECWA is engaged in church planting.

ECWA Church New York

This is the first ECWA Church to be planted in the US in 1987 through the inspiring work of the late Elder Francis Dada’s father in-law. The church uses a rented facility located at 966 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY. Attendance at its peak averaged 60 to 75 people. The biggest challenge of this church has been a lack of a resident pastor. They have had several people fill in for brief periods of time. There was a conflict that led to several leaving the church and till today the church is yet to recover from that. Attendance currently is above 30 people.

New York Church Contact Information
Grace Dada, Leader
ECWA CHURCH, NEW YORK
966 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Email: dadaniyi@hotmail.com
Phone: 845-290-0799

ECWA Church Maryland

This is the second ECWA church planted in the US in January 1997 and it is currently the largest of all ECWA churches in the US with attendance in the neighborhood of 125 or more. The church is located at: 5526 Marlboro Pike, District Heights, MD 20747. Rev. Henry Bello is currently the pastor of the church.

ECWA Church Chicago

This is the third ECWA church planted in the USA on June 1, 1997. The church has been meeting in the lower level of Uptown Baptist Church at 1011 W. Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640 until they purchased their own place of worship now at 5644 S. Oakley Avenue, Chicago, IL 60636. Attendance is between 80 and 120 and members come from several different countries and background. On January 7, 2007 Rev. Dr. Isaac Laudarji took over as the pastor from Rev. Sunday Bwanhot who started the church and pastored it till then. Rev. Laudarji moved to Northern Nigeria in 2016 where he trains, supports other pastors and serves as a pastor of a local ECWA church in a predominantly Muslim area, where Boko Haram is very active. Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is again Pastor of ECWA Church Chicago.

Chicago Church Contact Information
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot, Pastor
ECWA CHURCH, Chicago
5644 S. Oakley Avenue
Chicago, IL 60636
Email: ecwachicago@yahoo.com
bwanhots[at]gmail.com
Phone: 312-273-4944

First & Second ECWA Church Louisville

This is the fourth church planted in the US and is being pastored by T. A. Samuel. The church was officially inaugurated April 15, 2001. The church worships at 5007 Southside Dr. Louisville, KY 40214. Although attendance has declined from the average of 40 in the main church, the blessing of having the 2nd ECWA Church – Swahili speaking congregation under the leadership of Rev. Jean Nzeyimana is highly appreciated.

Kentucky Church Contact Information (1st Service)
T. A. Samuel, Pastor
ECWA I CHURCH, LOUISVILLE
5007 Southside Dr.
Louisville, KY 40214-2815
Email: ecwaky@gmail.com
samuelabednego301@yahoo.com
Phone : 502-656-7422

Kentucky Church Contact Information (2nd Service)
Rev. Jean de Dieu Nzeyimana, Pastor
ECWA II CHURCH, LOUISVILLE
5007 Southside Dr.
Louisville, KY 40214-2815
Email: ecwaky@gmail.com
nizeyimanaa@yahoo.com
Phone: 502-375-1904

ECWA Church, Atlanta

This is the fifth ECWA Church in the USA. It was officially inaugurated on Sunday September 2, 2007 under the leadership of Rev. Innocent Nwaobasi. The church currently meets at the home of Elder Josiah Osasona. Attendance is still low – under 20. Property was purchased early this year and Lord willing the church will move to its permanent site in due course.

Atlanta Church Contact Information
Rev. Innocent Nwaobasi, Pastor
ECWA CHURCH, ATLANTA
2004 Oak Terrace Dr
Atlanta, GA 30316
Email: nkechi65obasi@yahoo.com
Phone: 404-399-4502

Prayer Houses

While several Prayer houses have been started across the country, there is a general struggle to keep these prayer houses going:

• Prayer House, Columbia SC, 2006
• Prayer House in Los Angeles CA,
• Prayer House in Dallas/Fort Wayne TX
• Prayer House in Houston, TX, 2012
• Prayer House, Xenia, OH, 2012
• Prayer House in Minneapolis/St. Paul’s area, MN.

We need to pray for these Prayer Houses to stand.

How We Got Organized

The first two churches planted came about because of the efforts of some ECWA individuals who felt the Lord leading them to do that. There was no organization, no plan or strategy for church planting for ECWA here in the US. The two churches existed independently of each other and of ECWA Headquarters.

Rev. Panya Baba (former ECWA President) visited the US and he and Rev. Bwanhot had a discussion. The outcome of which was a February 15, 1997 meeting in MD with the following in attendance: Rev. Panya Baba, Rev. George Adekeye, Mr. Sunday Buge, Rev. Innocent Nwaobasi, Elder Henry Bello, Dr. James Angbazo, Rev. Joseph Obielodan and Rev. Sunday Bwanhot. Our agenda was to consider our role as ECWA members in the spiritual well-being of our people and others in the US. A Sub-Committee was appointed to plan a big ECWA Family Reunion for July 2-5, 1999.

Author: Rev. Sunday Bwanhot
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is EMS/SIM Missionary. He serves as Team leader of SIM Culture Connexions; Pastors of ECWA Chicago and ECWA USA DCC Chairman.>