Church Planting Strategies and Their Effectiveness in Reaching the Urban Poor in Ibadan

This study evaluates the effectiveness of church planting strategies employed by evangelical and Pentecostal missions in reaching urban poor communities in Ibadan, South West Nigeria. Urbanisation has intensified socioeconomic inequality in Nigerian cities, creating large populations of low-income residents who remain underserved by mainstream religious institutions. Using a descriptive survey design, the research examines five church plants established between 2018 and 2023 in high-density, low-income neighbourhoods including Agugu, Beere, and Amuleguntan in Ibadan. Data are collected through interviews with fifteen church planters and 200 community residents, supplemented by church attendance records and community impact reports. Findings indicate that the most effective church planting models combine Word-based ministry with tangible social interventions such as free healthcare clinics, skills acquisition programmes, and micro-credit schemes. Churches that entered communities with prior social surveys and established trust before introducing formal worship services reported significantly faster congregational growth and deeper community embeddedness. The study recommends a holistic church planting methodology that integrates evangelism with community development and calls on sending organisations to provide comprehensive pre-field training that includes community development modules. Keywords: church planting, urban poor, Ibadan, evangelical mission, holistic ministry