A three day youth convocation of the Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion has ended in Port Harcourt with a charge on youths to abstain from all forms of social vices, fear God, respect constituted authorities, embrace education and totally accept Jesus Christ as they grow up to become the church tomorrow.
The Bishop of the Diocese of the Niger Delta Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Ralph Cornelius Ebirien, JP, handed the admonition while declaring open the just concluded three days youth convocation with the theme “The youth today, the church tomorrow” taken from the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9:20 held at the St. John’s (Ang) Church, New layout Port Harcourt.
The convocation, according to Bishop Ebirien is to enhance ways of preparing the youths early in life as they transit to adulthood to take over the church tomorrow, adding that current happening in the society such as gay marriage amongst other social vices has contributed to the early preparation of the youths as deliberated upon at the 2015 synod held at St. Paul’s Church Opobo town.
The bishop while admonishing the youths on possible areas of early preparation called on them to always fear God, respect parents and those in authorities, embrace education and Christ to ensure stability of the church tomorrow.
Speaking further on witnessing to the world and identifying Christian groups on campuses and churches which according to him prepares the youth for tomorrow, the bishop applauded former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the bold step to reject constitutionalization of gay marriage in Nigeria.
While thanking and encouraging attendees on proactiveness, the bishop revealed that the youths have been given places in the synod and Parish Church Councils of the respective Archdeaconries to fast-tract expectation of the church.
Describing youthful age as very strong with various talents and challenging potentials, bishop Ebirien noted that as a period in one’s life before attaining adulthood, it is incumbent on the youths to be serious believers of the gospel of Christ like Paul who was former Saul yet not a heathen but zealous about the law.
In his remarks, the youth chaplain in the Diocese, Rev. Cannon Ataifuk-ibot Amon Ijong-Ama said that the convocation which was second in the series was crucial as it was aimed at equipping the youths for the challenges ahead, arguing that without adequate preparation and training of the youth, the church would fall short of tomorrow leaders.
Earlier, the chairman of the youth convocation planning committee Barr. Joshua Iragunima had said that no country, state or group could survive without the cooperation of its members and followers, asserting similarly that no country, state or group could successfully transit without trained youths, while disclosing that the convocation of all youths in the Diocese was aimed at unifying, training as well as preparing them for the task ahead in the church.
Iragunima, who premised the unity of the early church, growth and continued existence on teachings of the Apostles, applauded bishop Ebirien for his exemplary and visionary leadership as well as his foresight in not only appointing youths into decision making bodies of the church but also convening the convocation and ensured its successful process.
The three days convocation which was well attended with participants drawn from all Parishes and Archdeaconries of the Diocese equally had clergies and other resource persons in attendance. ###
James Mgboineme
