Nigel Sylvester 1929 –2015

Julia Cameron  |  UK & Ireland
Date posted:  1 Feb 2016
Share Add       
Nigel Sylvester 1929 –2015

Ghana’s First Lady, Ernestina Mills, described Nigel Sylvester as ‘Ghana’s Wesley’. His influence was to spread across English-speaking Africa and then across the world.

Nigel Sylvester professed faith in Christ as a fresher in the Cambridge 1949 Barnhouse mission; shortly afterwards he lost both his parents in an aircrash. As a very young Christian, Nigel followed Mike Griffiths as CICCU President. With a First in Maths, he entered Ridley Hall with Mike Griffiths (later General Director of OMF) and Michael Allison (later PPS to Margaret Thatcher). Breaking with precedent, none was ordained.

Scripture Union in West Africa

At the invitation of Tony Wilmot, Nigel went instead to Ghana in 1955, shortly before its independence, and was to lay the foundation for national Scripture Union (SU) movements in several West African countries. His influence was profound, in the church and in public life.

Share
< Previous article| UK & Ireland| Next article >
Read more articles by Julia Cameron >>
Reviews
Bleeding for Jesus: some initial thoughts

Bleeding for Jesus: some initial thoughts

What became known as ‘Iwerne camps’ began 90 years ago, bringing profound benefit to the church. They were founded by …

Features
John Stott - what you should know

John Stott - what you should know

The centenary of John Stott’s birth falls on 27 April 2021. As he died ten years ago, his name won’t …

Give a subscription

🎁 Get 20% off a subscription for a friend this Christmas!

Tell me more

Need to advertise?

We can help you reach Christians across the country.

Find out more