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| The Director of Youth Affairs, CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Peter Olanrewaju, Ph.D |
By ADENIYI, Miracle
The Director of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Youth Directorate, Pastor Peter Olanrewaju, Ph.D, has outlined key strategies for attracting and retaining youths in Sunday School ministry at the just concluded 49th Annual Decentralised Sunday School Rally held at the Babalola Memorial International Miracle Camp, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
Speaking on the topic, “Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Youths in Sunday School Ministry,” Pastor Olanrewaju highlighted the church’s strong youthful demographic, noting that more than two-thirds of CAC members are under the age of 40. He emphasized that both the present and future of the Church are undeniably youth-driven.
Despite this, he observed a noticeable gap in Sunday School leadership, where teachers are largely older, while many youths remain underrepresented in teaching and leadership roles.
Pastor Olanrewaju stressed the strategic importance of the Sunday School department, describing it as more than a platform for lesson delivery. According to him, it should serve as a bridge between generations—deliberately nurturing faith, character, and leadership, while functioning as a pipeline for succession within the Church.
He urged teachers and leaders to shift their approach from routine teaching to intentional discipleship, from maintenance to multiplication, and from tradition to Spirit-led innovation. This, he said, will ensure that CAC youths are saved by the Scriptures, shaped by the Scriptures, and sent forth to lead the Church into God’s future.
Speaking on practical strategies, the Youth Director explained that young people are drawn to purpose rather than routine. He encouraged teachers to make lessons relevant by connecting faith to real-life experiences, thereby helping youths understand how Sunday School shapes their character, convictions, and calling.
He further emphasized the importance of personal example, noting that youths often learn more from what they see than what they hear. Teachers, he said, must therefore model lives of faith, integrity, and godliness.
In addition, he highlighted the role of organization and excellence, stating that order communicates value. Youths, he explained, are more responsive in environments that are purposeful and well-structured, making adequate lesson preparation essential.
Pastor Olanrewaju concluded by reminding participants that the future leaders of the Church—its pastors, missionaries, professionals, and kingdom influencers—are currently seated in Sunday School classes. He affirmed that if the Church remains faithful to the Scriptures and intentional in its strategies, the youths will not drift but will instead be rooted, grounded, and empowered to fulfill God’s purpose.