Peter Johnson and his wife Deborah moved to Boston, Massachusetts, so he could study Old Testament at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Peter wanted a deeper understanding of the Old Testament so he could point Muslims living in Northern Nigeria to Christ using part of the Bible they’re more comfortable with. Peter says approximately 50% of Nigerians are Muslim and 45% Christian.
When it was time to return to Nigeria, the Johnson’s sending organization, Evangelical Churches Winning All (ECWA), asked them to move to Canada to work among the growing number of Nigerians. In 2015, 4,000 Nigerians lived in Canada. By 2019, the number increased to 12,000 as the English-speaking Africans immigrated looking for better opportunities.
During the pandemic, Peter and his family conduct a worship service from home and broadcast the message on YouTube and Facebook. “Sometimes 100 or 200 people watch,” says Peter. He also leads online Bible studies in English with Nigerians from across Canada. Peter is watching for committed believers in these groups who could help him lead the work. “I can’t do it alone. I need a team,” says Peter.
The Johnsons arrived in Toronto in December 2020 and they’re thankful for VMC’s warm welcome. “I am immensely grateful for our partnership with VMC. They received us at the airport and have been right there on the ground with us.” VMC’s Gord Martin is helping Peter to make connections. “It is a true picture of the gospel.”
From Thinking Ahead, Spring 2021