Pastor David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, has said preaching about hell may not win souls in Nigeria because many Nigerians are already experiencing severe hardship. He made the comment during a sermon on Sunday, August 30, 2026, urging Christians to emphasise God’s love and compassion when reaching people facing economic difficulties.
Ibiyeomie Explains His Position
Speaking during a sermon titled The Power of Compassion, Ibiyeomie said Nigerians dealing with hunger and rising living costs may not respond to messages centred on eternal punishment.
“You can imagine preaching hell to Nigerians; they are already in hell. There is no way you will preach hell to Nigerians and anybody will be born again,” he said.
He argued that people struggling to meet basic needs may find warnings about hell disconnected from the realities they face daily.
‘Just Tell Them God Loves You’
Ibiyeomie cited the difficulties many Nigerians face, including struggling to afford food and petrol, as reasons Christians should approach evangelism with compassion.
“Just tell them God loves you; He can change your story. Come to Jesus,” he said.
He added that telling someone who is already struggling that they would “go to hell” may not persuade them to accept Christianity because, in his words, the person may feel that their present suffering already resembles hell.
Message Draws Online Reactions
A roughly 30-second clip of the sermon was shared by Nigerian news and lifestyle account @instablog9ja on X, where it generated discussions about evangelism and the role of economic hardship in religious messaging.
Some reactions focused on the contrast between Ibiyeomie’s emphasis on compassion and traditional preaching centred heavily on sin, judgment and hellfire. Others connected the comments to the wider debate over how Nigerian churches should respond to the country’s economic challenges.
Ibiyeomie, who is based in Port Harcourt, has previously attracted public attention for his comments on prosperity, tithing and religious issues. His latest remarks place compassion and reassurance at the centre of his appeal for Christians to reach Nigerians facing hardship.
