Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, says Christians should not center evangelism on preaching hell and condemnation. Speaking in a sermon captured in video coverage by multiple outlets, he argues that such messages are unlikely to persuade Nigerians to convert because many people are already dealing with intense hardship.
The reports present his remarks as an appeal for Christians to emphasize Jesus’ love, compassion, and mercy, and to focus on God’s power to transform lives. Vanguard, Daily Post Nigeria, and Punch all describe him urging evangelists to be more sensitive to the economic realities affecting many Nigerians, framing his “already in hell” comment as a reference to current suffering rather than a doctrinal statement. The outlets align on the core message and do not present conflicting claims about what he said.
Together, the articles depict the statement as part of a broader argument for compassionate evangelism—prioritizing encouragement and spiritual hope over fear-based messaging—while grounding the appeal in the country’s prevailing conditions.
