A Leader Who Multiplies

In a country facing insecurity, Rev. Stephen Hamidu is working to equip a new generation of pastors to bring Christ into every sphere of life with support from Resonate Global Mission.

Hamidu said he sensed God’s call on his life as a young boy growing up in Nigeria. Though his family practiced a traditional African religion, he first learned about the hope and grace of the gospel when he and his younger brother went to live with one of his father’s cousins so that they could attend school.

Their father’s cousin had become a believer in Christ, and Hamidu learned about Jesus while he lived there. He began to believe strongly in the truth of the gospel and in God’s plan to renew and redeem all of creation, he said. In 1987, Hamidu was baptized in the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria.

Hamidu said he sensed God calling him into ministry, and he devoted himself to studying Reformed theology, growing as a leader and pastoring churches. He attended Veenstra Theological Seminary and the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), and later he traveled to the United States to work toward a master’s degree at Calvin Theological Seminary. At one point, a Resonate missionary encouraged him to continue his studies, and mission-minded supporters helped to cover Hamidu’s school fees at TCNN for two years.

Recently Hamidu sensed a need for more theological training, and he enrolled in a doctoral program at Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Nigeria. Resonate helped to support his leadership development through a grant for his tuition. He completed his doctorate and has begun teaching systematic theology at Veenstra Theological Seminary.

In a country where most of the population struggles to make ends meet, where violence plagues the nation’s northern communities, and where corruption runs rampant in the government, Hamidu said he is casting a bold vision for the church: Christ in every sphere of life. He is working to equip believers to bring gospel transformation into all areas of everyday living.

“We as Christians have been restored to bring the shalom of God into the world,” he said. “Paul says in Ephesians 2:10 we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. That is what Reformed theology teaches. We are stewards of God's creation.”

“My hope is to see my students expanding the kingdom of God by enthroning Christ in every sphere of life. If all Christians will have this understanding, Nigeria and the world will experience peace.”

Resonate is committed to walking alongside, supporting, and raising up leaders like Hamidu throughout the world who are joining God on mission. Hamidu noted that his story doesn’t end with his own education—it multiplies. As he teaches, mentors, and models faithful leadership, a new generation can catch the vision of what it means to live out the gospel in every corner of society. 

“His students can see an example of a pastor who is well-educated, has impressive academic credentials, and who has proved himself to be effective in local and regional ministry settings,” said Mike Van Der Dyke, Resonate’s regional mission leader for West Africa.