The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) is one of the most organized and socially impactful denominations in Africa, overseeing over 6,000 local churches and a global membership exceeding 6 million. Its roots trace back to 1893 and the pioneering work of the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM). Founded on the sacrifice of Walter Gowans, Thomas Kent, and Rowland Bingham—two of whom died shortly after arrival—ECWA’s identity is forged in the fires of resilience and a “total-man” missionary philosophy.

Headquartered in Jos, ECWA transitioned from a mission-led body to a fully indigenous African powerhouse in 1954. Under the current leadership of Rev. Dr. Job Ayuba Bagat Mallam, ECWA operates an infrastructure that rivals state governments in its reach. Their “Human-First” approach is uniquely defined by a “Holistic Gospel” that views high-level healthcare, technological advancement, and agricultural sustainability as essential expressions of faith, particularly in regions chronically affected by conflict and poverty.

HEALTHCARE: THE “GOLD STANDARD” OF MEDICAL MISSIONS

Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BHUTH) – Formerly Evangel Hospital

ECWA operates the largest network of mission hospitals in Nigeria, headlined by the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BHUTH) in Jos.

  • A Landmark of Medical History: Founded in 1959 as Evangel Hospital, it gained world-historical fame as the site of the first documented case and discovery of Lassa Fever in 1969.
  • Specialized Surgery & Training: BHUTH was the first hospital in Northern Nigeria to commence a postgraduate residency training program in family medicine (1981). It remains a national reference center for ophthalmology, orthopedics, and trauma care.
  • Lassa Fever Research Excellence: The hospital continues to lead in tropical medicine research, maintaining specialized isolation and research units dedicated to viral hemorrhagic fevers.
  • Source: Bingham University Teaching Hospital — History & Impact

EDUCATION: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & STEM

Bingham University and the ECWA Schools Network

ECWA operates an extensive school network across Northern and Middle-Belt Nigeria, where many of its primary and secondary schools predated government-funded education by decades.

  • Bingham University (Karu): Established in 2005 to meet the soaring need for quality secular tertiary education that integrates moral values. It is one of the few private universities in Nigeria to begin with a College of Health Sciences from inception.
  • Theological Seminaries: ECWA maintains some of the oldest degree-awarding seminaries in West Africa, including ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja (est. 1918) and Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS).
  • Source: Bingham University Official — Academic Programmes | Wikipedia — Evangelical Church Winning All

AGRICULTURE & HUMANITARIAN AID

Agricultural Support for Rural Farmers

ECWA’s Rural Development Ltd. (ERD) is a specialized wing that focuses on improving the productivity of smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

  • Self-Sufficiency Initiatives: The church provides seedlings, fertilizer support, and modern farming techniques to rural farmers to bolster food security in regions often disrupted by communal conflict and banditry.
  • Crisis Response (2025-2026): In early 2026, the church scaled its humanitarian wing to provide food aid and agricultural kits to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Plateau and Kaduna States, helping them rebuild livelihoods amidst ongoing security challenges.
  • Source: ECWA Global — Programs & Initiatives

MAY 2026 NEWS UPDATE: LEADERSHIP FOR PEACE

Rev. Job Ayuba Bagat Mallam Advocates for National Dialogue

In May 2026, the ECWA Executive Council, led by Rev. Dr. Job Ayuba Bagat Mallam, issued a national communique from Jos. The leadership called for a renewed commitment to grassroots peace-building and urged the Federal Government to provide special security corridors for rural farmers in “conflict-exposed” zones. The church also announced the commissioning of a new solar-powered grid for rural clinics in Kaduna, ensuring 24/7 power for critical medical procedures.