By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – The Metropolitan Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, has urged the youth to be proactive in proclaiming Jesus Christ as their saviour and dependent so as not to lose guide.
Ndukuba said that they should also cling to Jesus Christ as their only source of their being, a course that would make them become resourceful and a guide to all their activities, successes and progress.
The Primate gave the advice on Tuesday, in Abuja at the church’s Seven – Day “Joshua Generation ’’ International Youth Conference 2022, with theme “Manifestation of the Sons of God’’.
The theme, he said, was got from the Scriptures in Romans 8 verse 15, “ you are liberated from slavery into Sonship in Christ.’’
According to him, the conference is aimed at empowering the youth through the faithful proclamation of the gospel of Christ, engendering pure faith, hope and love in Christ Jesus in every young person.
He said the conference was also aimed at engaging each one in an intentional discipleship, and empowering every Christian youth to unleash their great potential and creativity natural talents and spiritual gifts.
He added that this was to impact on their areas of influence and God’s call upon their lives, thereby impacting on the generation positively.
“It is clear that if the church will fulfill its mission and ministry and if our Nation will rise to its full potential, the young people must be mobilized unto mission and nation building.
“The leadership of the church and Nation are in their hands; every young person is precious and has a great place in the household of faith, the church and the mission of God in this generation.
“The zeal of the Lord will perform His will in the lives of the youth and may he affirm his divine purpose in your life,’’ he said.
The Primate also explained that the theme of the event meant that to manifest was to be evident to the senses, especially to the sight, be apparent and distinctly perceived.
“ To become the reflection of God in the person of Christ, you have been predestined to become the image of Christ, trust God daily and intentionally pursue growing in grace and knowledge of God,’’ he said.
He also said to manifest as sons and daughters in mission, you have to keep your eyes on God’s purpose for your life spiritually, professionally and materially.
“The whole earth is your mission field, possessing a mission’s mindset is critical to your manifestation as the sons of God,” he said.
He further said that manifestation as sons of God demands waiting until you are endued with power from on high by the Holy Spirit, the act of manifestation was the working of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer.
“ This is required in spiritual discipleship, in professional mentoring and in the process of skill acquisition, diligence is key to success in whatever task we would engage in.
The primate advised that it was there for important that we present our body as a living sacrifice on His altar for the endowment of power for service.
Also Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) thanked the primate for engaging the youth for the nation’s benefit.
Mustapha said the topic“ Manifestation of the Sons of God ’’ was apt, as future leaders needed to be brought through mentorship, trainings, discipleship for a godly generation to be gotten.
He said youth as a born again and spirit filled, needed to act right to inherent the kingdom of God.
The SGF urged the youth to indulge in useful and godly conversations and acts to shun social vices and peer group’s influence.
“Josiah in the bible was eight years old when he was called to rule after his father, he was of good conduct, determined and courageous, he prayed always for direction from God, which helped him the most,’’ he said.
Mustapha told them that they were not too young as God could use anyone, saying “Make yourself available, your family background cannot stop you from God’s plan’’.
He also appealed to them to make themselves available positively in the 2023 General Elections.
The SGF also enjoined Christians to get their hands in something doing to avoid idleness.
“ God will not let us or the nation down as His light will shine on us and the nation, anyone can be a Josiah, who would lead us to righteousness and without suffering ,’’he said.
The Minister of Youth and Social Development, Mr Sunday Dare, urged youth to embrace peace for development in the country.
Dare said that the youth should bear in mind that in their course to exile, they must shun social vices.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Minister of State for Education Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, a former youth member in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion represented Dare at the occasion.
“Nation building needs commitment, dedication and seriousness.
“Without spiritual conduct, our youth will be misguided and end up in pains,” he said.
Dare called on the youth to key into the various Federal Government empowerment programmes to be self-reliant.
He encouraged them to pray for themselves, religious leaders and the country.
The International Youth Conference holding at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has thousands of participants involved from each diocese of the 36 states, with countries mostly participating online(NAN/vitalnews)
