Nigerian Baptist Youth Begins Annual Youth Week

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

Baptists Youths under the aegis of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, NBCYC, has begun its 2019 Youth Week Celebration, today, Sunday, throughout Nigeria and affiliated countries.

The theme for the year is “Fullness of Christ” with the text taken from the book of Ephesians 4:13.

Youths of First Baptist Church joined in the celebration as they took over the leadership of the Church through the release of the Church key which serves as the symbol of authority by the Pastor of the Church, Reverend Sunday Abolarinwa Fabunmi to the Youth Week Pastor, Taiwo Orolu.

In his speech, the President of the Youth Fellowship, First Baptist Chuch, Jos, Bro. Jide Afolabi thanked God for giving the youths of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, the grace to witness another year.

He appreciated the Church and all youths for the supports giving to the youths always.

He, however, challenged Baptist youths to live a life worthy of their callings as they strive to attain the “Fullness of Christ”.

In his sermon, the Youth Week Pastor, Taiwo Orolu said that the aim of the theme was to “help us know and understand the person of Christ, what it means to attain His fullness and How we can attain it.”

He noted that Christians must understand the fullness of Christ through seeing Jesus as the benchmark.

He said “Jesus Christ is our benchmark, our model, the author and the finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12:2). He is our reference point. Anything short of Christ Jesus is below the expectation of God. Hebrew 1:3a.”

He said that if anyone desires to attain the fullness of Christ, such a person must be, a member of the body of Christ; be a productive member of the body of Christ; be united in faith, and filled with the knowledge of the Son of God.

He concluded by asking a few questions. “Brothers and Sisters, fathers and mothers, where do you belong? What stage are you? Are you a member of the body of Christ? Are you working towards ensuring unity in the body or you are siding with the enemy to tear it apart? Are you increasing in the knowledge of God? Or are you not concerned about your spiritual life at all? The expectation of God is that we grow and attain the fullness of Christ who is our head. Today is a day of renewal, a day of decision, a day to rededicate your life to Christ. Will you do that now?”.

In his speech, the President, Plateau Baptist Conference Youth Conference, PBCYC, Bro. Dang Istifanus Emmanuel who made a courtesy call on the Church during the worship service appreciated God for another Youth Week Celebration. He charged the congregation, especially, youths to strive to attain the fullness of Christ.

He thanked the Church and youths in the Church for supporting the work of God through the youth ministry of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, at all levels.

The highly elated youths celebrated the faithfulness of the Lord through a musical concert in the evening.

The week-long event will end on Saturday through Associational rallies.