Director of Youth Affairs, CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro
By Boluwatife Oparinde
As all Regional and Centre Leaders of Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF), Nigeria and Overseas, gather for the 2022 CACYOF National Leadership Retreat, the Director of Youth Affairs, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor S. O. Gbuyiro declared that a church without youths has no future because youths play major roles in the growth and development of the church.
Pastor Gbuyiro stated this in his Keynote Address at the Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship (CACYOF) National Leadership Retreat 2022 which started on Thursday, 17th February, 2022 at Babalola Memorial Camp Ground, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
The Youth Director who said that, "every effort aimed at ensuring the salvation and growth of the youths is worthwhile if we see them as great assets to the church," emphasized that part of the essence of the retreat is to enhance "leadership efficiency that would retain our youths in the church and make them proud of our good heritage in Christ Apostolic Church, while the incessant migration to others church denominations is permanently stopped."
Addressing Youth Leaders, Pastor Gbuyiro explained that, "as you all know that efficient leadership that will fulfill God's purpose in ministry would never happen by chance or accident, but it requires being deliberate in meeting certain requirements as demands by the assignment. Such requirements are; spiritual endowment, proper training to be equipped with relevant information, renewal of strength, include exemplary lifestyle for influence is the need for this RETREAT."
"However, despite the great demands of the youth ministry and challenges attached, no doubt that God has found us capable to be trusted to raise godly youths through whom a future is secure for both the church and the nation," he added.
The Youth Officer allegorised that "as an unsharpened cutlass will slow a farmer down while a sharp cutlass will speed up his work, likewise, it would slow down the progress of the church if youth leaders at our levels lack correct information and best approach to intentionally nurture and purposefully grow the potentials in the youths for global relevance in God's purpose."
Describing that the success of every organization depends on its leadership and that every other thing will be right once the leadership is right; Pastor Gbuyiro said that the retreat is "considered highly important to enhance leadership efficiency."
Welcoming his audience to the promisingly impactful programme, the Youth Director concluded that, "this RETREAT has been well packaged to discuss relevant subjects and skills which are meant to fortify you with information and instructions to improve your walk with God and work for God. Therefore, I implore you to seize this opportunity to have one on one encounter with God as you hope for something great and outstanding in life and ministry."