The Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has urged Christians to emphasise the love and compassion of Jesus Christ when evangelising to Nigerians facing economic hardship, rather than focusing solely on messages about hell.

Ibiyeomie spoke on Sunday while delivering a sermon titled, The Power of Compassion.

He said many Nigerians were already grappling with severe economic challenges, making messages centred on the consequences of hell less effective in winning people to Christ.

“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.

“Just tell them God loves you; He can change your story. Come to Jesus. But if you say, ‘You’ll go to hell,’ the man will say, ‘The suffering wey I dey suffer now, na wetin e be?’” he said.

The pastor said Christians should demonstrate compassion by assuring people experiencing hardship that God loves them and can transform their circumstances.

According to him, compassion should motivate Christians to tell people that Jesus loves them regardless of their circumstances and that God can show them mercy.

“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,” Ibiyeomie said.

He described God as compassionate and urged Christians to extend the same quality to others, citing Psalm 103:8: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”

Ibiyeomie said God does not treat people according to their past mistakes and failures, urging those who have received God’s compassion to show the same compassion to others.

Citing Ephesians 4:32, he said, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The pastor described compassion as one of the most powerful expressions of God’s nature, stressing that it goes beyond merely feeling sorry for another person.

According to him, compassion involves three elements: seeing a person’s situation, caring about it and taking action.

He also said caring for people should not be reduced to giving money, noting that Christians could use their faith and other means to help those in need.

Citing Acts 3:6, Ibiyeomie said helping others could involve exercising one’s faith on their behalf, stressing that while financial assistance may sometimes be necessary, compassion goes beyond money.