ECWA DAILY

SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY
TEXT: RUTH 1:15-18
TOPIC: NAOMI'S APPEAL AND RUTH'S RESPONSE

RUTH 1:15-18 NIV

15:“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

16:But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

17:Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

18:When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

NAOMI'S APPEAL AND RUTH'S RESPONSE

Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem after losing everything, including her husband and sons.

She addressed Ruth and Orpha as her daughters and urged them to return home.

Orpha left, but Ruth clung to Naomi, declaring her loyalty: "Where you go, I will go; your people will be my people, and your God my God."

Ruth's commitment is a powerful testament to loyalty and faith.

When you vow to the Lord, be sure to keep it.

QUESTION:
How can we show faith and loyalty in our relationships?

PRAYER:
Forgive me, Lord, for being unfaithful to my commitments.

Food for the Day - 2026

REV. BELLO MISAL: A LIFE POURED OUT FOR THE GOSPEL

ECWA Emic / Babatomiwa M. Owojaiye

Rev. Bello Misal’s journey is a testimony of faith, service, and leadership in the history of SIM-ECWA in Nigeria. Born on 12th December 1940, he lived a life wholly dedicated to the mission of God until he was called unto glory on 25th December 2025. His story is not just one of personal devotion but of institutional impact, shaping generations within ECWA and beyond.

From his early days, Bello Misal pursued the path of knowledge and ministry. He trained at SIM Bible Training School, Billiri, Gombe State; Bible College Kagoro, where he graduated in 1973; ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja; and later at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. These institutions equipped him not only with theological depth but also with the vision to lead and inspire.

His career was marked by a blend of missionary zeal and academic rigor. He had a deep comprehension of the biblical languages and taught them in many theological contexts in ECWA. Rev Misal was the pioneer Principal of ECWA Bible College Billiri - Kufai when it was established in1981. He also served as the 6th Principal of ECWA Bible Training School, Tofa, Kano State, and later as Lecturer, Registrar, and Deputy Provost at Jos ECWA Theological Seminary. His administrative gifts were further recognized when he became Director of the Education Department at ECWA Headquarters in Jos. It was from this pivotal role that he was elected as the 14th Vice-President of ECWA, serving faithfully from 2002 to 2008 until his retirement.

Beyond the pulpit and classroom, Rev. Misal’s personal life reflected his devotion. On 23rd December 1963, he married his beloved wife Almatu in what became the first Christian wedding in the history of ECWA Putoki—a landmark moment that symbolized his pioneering spirit. Together, they built a family rooted in faith, love, and service, and their union was blessed with many biological and spiritual children who continue to carry forward his legacy of devotion and discipleship.

Rev. Bello Misal’s legacy is one of diligence, humility, and unwavering commitment. He was a genuine child and servant of the Lord, a family man to the core, and a lover of people and the mission of God. His life was a living sermon, and his passing on Christmas Day 2025 is a poignant reminder of a servant who gave his all to the cause of Christ.

Conclusion

Rev. Bello Misal’s story is not merely history—it is heritage. His footprints remain indelible in the sands of ECWA’s journey, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to serve God with the entirety of their lives. Truly, he lived, he served, and he finished well.

SATURDAY, 17 JANUARY
TEXT: RUTH 1:6–14
TOPIC: THE RELATIONSHIP OF IN-LAWS

RUTH 1:6–14 NIV

6:When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.

7:With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8:Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.

9:May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud

10:and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

11:But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?

12:Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—

13:would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

14:At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF IN-LAWS

Strained in-law relationships are common, yet Naomi’s bond with her Moabite daughters-in-law is commendable. Despite cultural differences, their unity is strong.

Naomi’s prayer for her daughters-in-law exemplifies love and harmony. In-laws can be your strongest allies.

QUESTION: How would you describe your relationship with your in-laws?

PRAYER: Lord, show mercy in improving my in-law relationships.

Food for the Day - 2026

TRACING THE LEGACY OF SIM-ECWA POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

By ECWA Emic / Babatomiwa M. Owojaiye

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), rooted in the vision of the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM), has built a rich heritage of faith, education, healthcare, and community development. From humble beginnings in the early 20th century, ECWA has grown into a network of seminaries, universities, hospitals, and enterprises that continue to impact lives across Nigeria and beyond. Here’s a chronological look at some of ECWA’s landmark institutions and initiatives.

Chronological Timeline of ECWA Institutions

1. 1913 – The history of the ECWA Guest House dates back to 1913 with the establishment of the Miango Rest Home, followed by the SIM Rest Home at the ECWA headquarters in 1924. Over the years, this initiative has expanded into a network of guest houses across major cities in Nigeria. (Further details about this network will be shared on this platform soon.)

2. 1917 – Challenge Bookshops (division of ECWA Productions Limited, EPL). EPL was later incorporated in 1973.

3. 1918 – ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja (started as a School of Prophets).

4. 1918 – ECWA Theological Seminary, Karu.

5. 1927 – ECWA Central Pharmacy Limited (ECPL), began local production in 1948, incorporated in 1998.

6. 1931 – ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro.

7. 1943 – ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano.

8. 1954 – Radio ELWA (Eternal Love Winning All), Montovia, Liberia.

9. 1955 – ECWA School of Nursing Sciences.

10. 1959 – Evangel Hospital Jos, later grew into Bingham University Teaching Hospital (became a teaching hospital in 2010).

11. 1965 – ECWA Theological Seminary, Aba.

12. 1980 – ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos.

13. 1989 –The history of People's Oriented Department (POD) as an ECWA development agency dates back to 1989, when it was established as a distinct entity, separated from ECWA’s Rural Development and Community Health Programmes.

14. 1993 – ECWA International College of Technology (EICT), Jos.

15. 2005 – Bingham University, Karu.

16. 2010 – Bingham University Teaching Hospital officially became a teaching hospital.

17. 2014 – Gowans Microfinance Bank Limited.

18. 2015 – ECWA Development Finance Scheme Limited (EDFSL).

19. 2015 – ECWA Portfolio Management Limited.

20. 2018 – Bingham TV (formerly ECWA TV).

21. 2019 – ECWA Leadership Institute was established in 2019.

22. Others – Numerous primary, post-primary schools and Colleges of Education, Health and Technology, and Bible Colleges across Nigeria.