‘No need preaching hell to Nigerians cause they’re already in hell’ – Pastor Ibiyeomie

 ‘No need preaching hell to Nigerians cause they’re already in hell’ 

Pastor David Ibiyeomie hs urged Christians to rethink how they evangelise Nigerians facing economic hardship, arguing that messages centred on hellfire may have little impact on people already struggling to survive.

The founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries made the remarks during a Sunday sermon titled “The Power of Compassion,” where he called on Christians to make love, mercy and practical compassion central to their efforts to win people to Christ.

Ibiyeomie said a person battling hunger, rising living costs and other pressures may find warnings about eternal punishment difficult to relate to when their immediate reality already feels unbearable.

“You can imagine preaching hell to Nigerians. They’re already in it. There’s no way you preach it to Nigerians and anybody will born again. Just tell them God loves you. He can change your story. Come to Jesus.”

He illustrated his point with the response he believes a struggling Nigerian might give to a preacher warning about hell.

“But if you say you will go to hell, the man will reply, ‘The suffering wey me dey suffer now, wetin he be?’ That kind of message can’t convert all soul.”

The pastor expanded on the argument, saying a person who is struggling to afford basic necessities may not be persuaded by a warning about another form of suffering.

“That kind of message can’t convert one soul. You go there and say, ‘If you don’t convert to Jesus, you are going to hell.’ The man will say he has not even seen food to eat, he has not bought petrol; already, he is in hell.”

Rather than abandoning evangelism, Ibiyeomie urged Christians to change the way they approach people experiencing hardship.

He said the starting point should be reassurance that God cares about their circumstances and that their situation can change.

“Compassion will make you tell them Jesus loves you. In spite of what you’re going through, He will show you His mercy. Compassion is the greatest tool that brings people to Christ. It is from your heart.”

According to the cleric, compassion is not simply feeling sorry for another person's difficulties. He described it as recognising someone's situation, caring about what they are experiencing and taking action where possible.

He also cautioned against reducing compassion to financial assistance alone, saying Christians could help people through encouragement, faith and other practical forms of support depending on their circumstances.

Ibiyeomie's comments come against the backdrop of persistent economic pressures affecting households across Nigeria, including high food and transportation costs and difficulty meeting basic needs.

His argument was therefore less about removing hell from Christian teaching and more about how the gospel should be communicated to people whose immediate circumstances are already overwhelming.

He urged believers to demonstrate the compassion they preach, saying Christians who have experienced God's mercy should extend the same quality to others.

Citing Psalm 103:8, he said: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”

He also referenced Ephesians 4:32 in urging Christians to practise kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

The central message of his sermon was that evangelism should not stop at words. For Ibiyeomie, reaching people in difficult circumstances requires believers to recognise their pain, show genuine concern and, where possible, take meaningful action.

In a country where many Nigerians are contending with economic uncertainty, his message places compassion before condemnation — urging Christians to first show people the love they are asking them to embrace.