Church of Christ in Nations

Nigerian Christian denomination From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) is a Christian denomination reformed headquartered in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria. Founded in 1904 as part of the Sudan United Mission, the church, in 2022, had over 8 million members in approximately and 2,000 congregations across the country.[2][failed verification][1]

AbbreviationCOCIN
ClassificationProtestant
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Church of Christ in Nations
AbbreviationCOCIN
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationContinental Reformed
TheologyReformed
PolityPresbyterian
PresidentAmos Mozoh
AssociationsFellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria
RegionNigeria
HeadquartersJos, Plateau, Nigeria
FounderKarl Kumm
Origin1904
Branched fromSudan United Mission
Congregations2,000 (2022)[1]
Members8,000,000 (2022)[1]
Tertiary institutionsKarl kumm University Vom
SeminariesGindiri Theological seminary, Cocin pastors college kabwir, and TCNN.
Official websitecocinonline.org
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History

COCIN was established in 1904 by missionaries from the Sudan United Mission, an interdenominational mission founded by German-American missionaries.

Missionary work was initiated by the British branch of MUS in Borno province among the Kanuri, a majority Muslim tribe. In 1936, a leper station was established at Molai.

In 1966, the Church of Christ in Nigeria was formed. Later, the name Church of Christ in Nations was adopted.[3]

Ministries and activities

COCIN is involved in various social and educational activities. It operates secondary schools for boys and girls, teacher training colleges, a theological college, vocational institutes, a hospital and a school for the blind. In 2021, the church opened Karl Kumm University in Vom, Jos South.[1]

Religious persecution

In the late 2010s and early 2020s, COCIN faced significant persecution.[4] In 2023, due to violence by extremist Islamic groups, the denomination was forced to close over 70 churches.[5][6]

Ecumenical affiliations

COCIN is a member of the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.[7]

According to the church's website, it would be a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC). However, the denomination is not listed as a member by the WCC.[8] The WARC and REC merged in 2010, forming the current World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). However, COCIN is also not on the list of WCRC members.[9]

See also

References

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