CAC Youth Director, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro
By 'Gbenga Bankole (Ikeji-Arakeji)
The Director of Youth Affairs, Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro has urged leaders in Christendom to have the right perspective about leadership positions.
He stated that only baby Christians feel excited about leadership positions, matured Christians feel humbled by the responsibilities and services attached.
Pastor Gbuyiro stated this on Wednesday April 10, 2024 while delivering his keynote address at CAC Youth Fellowship Leadership Retreat 2024 holding at General Adedayo Hall, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State. The programme is organised by the Directorate of CAC Youth Fellowship for all Regional and Centre Youth Leaders.
Speaking to the Youth Leaders on the theme of the retreat, 'Leadership Mandate' and taking his text from Colossians 1:28-29, the Clergyman said it is fundamental to know that at every level of grace received and enjoyed in the body of Christ, including leadership, there is a divine mandate to fulfill, adding that unfulfilled mandates amount to abuse of grace, privilege, and waste of God's priceless investment.
"People have always been the central focus of leadership, and it's so strategically designed to impact and influence change that pleases God. God's wisdom is expressed through the institution of leadership as a working tool meant to achieve His divine purpose. No wonder it is said that everything rises and falls on leadership. Israel, as a people, suffered terrible consequences on every occasion of leadership deficiency or absence of a leader because everyone exercised unlimited freedom to act as seemed right in their eyes, against the purpose of God. This retreat is meant to refocus our attention and challenge us to pursue His mandate in leadership," he explained.
Pastor Gbuyiro further told the youth leaders that "we cannot afford to continue engaging our youths in mere religious activities and hope to achieve the aim above; rather, we must be decisive in choosing the right courses of engagement in leadership.
"To achieve a leadership mandate, Paul chose preaching, warning, and teaching as accredited courses on which he laboured. No wonder he could raise men like Luke, Timothy, Titus, Silas, Aristarchus, John Mark, Trophimus, Onesimus, and the rest. They were all known for great exploits in life and ministry. Our God has not changed in person, purpose, pattern, or process. So, if we find Him faithful in calling us into this noble and holy call, we cannot afford to fail. Paul's prayer is that we would be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width, and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19)."
The CAC Youth Director admonished the Youth Leaders to respond to God in a humble manner, praying thus: "Lead me, Lord, so that I may lead your people. Raise me, Lord, so that I may raise others. Light me, Lord, so that I may light others. Make me, Lord, so that I may make others. Impact me, Lord, so that I may impact my followers. For our generation, Lord, set us on fire."
According to him, today's youths are current, but not correct; they connect, but do not collect; they are attracted by the container but not the content; and pay more attention to what is popular, but not spiritual.
He concluded that the youth should be thoroughly informed because people talk and act based on what they know.