CROWTHER JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

This paper evaluated the impact of Nongu u Kristu u I Ser u Sha Tar (NKST) translated as Universal Reformed Christian Church (URCC) on the social life of the Tyoshin people of Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State. NKST has a lot of benefits to the Tiv nation and the Tyoshin people in particular; ranging from spiritual uplift, increase in literacy, improved healthcare, rational thought, urbanization, and socialization amongst others. At the same time, NKST has its negative impacts on the social life of the Tyoshin people, as it introduced certain alteration and modifications on their social life. The paper seeks to elucidate on those positive and negative impacts and proffer solutions. The study adopted qualitative research design and made use of primary and secondary methods of data collection. Expository, descriptive and evaluative methods were used to analyze the data collected. The findings revealed the positive and negative impacts of NKST on the social life of the people, covering; How the NKST used technology, translation and preservation to upgrade their language, Respect for elders and constituted authorities through the help of modern education, improvement of music and dance with the aid of modern equipment, additional equipment for sowing and designing of dresses, enhancement of unity and group alliance via social media and church groups, modification of traditional marriages, and the social implications of the impacts of NKST on the social life of the people. Despites the positive impacts, the negative impacts were also discussed; showing how NKST distorted, altered and modified the social life of Tyoshin people. The paper benefits students of religion, leaders and members of Tyoshin land and researchers for further studies. The researcher recommended that; Tyoshin people should embrace the positive aspects of NKST in order to enhance more of social development in their area. Leaders of Tyoshin should make it a duty to build a cross-cultural relationship with NKST; Terfa Kahaga Anjov & Samuel Iorparegh Amaa 25 this would help them to lead their members better. Attention should be giving to preserving the sanctity and core values of the Tyoshin people despite the pressure of NKST influence.

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