Baptist Youths Holds 47th Annual Conference

By Jide Afolabi, Kaduna

The 47th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, NBCYC, held at the Deeper Life Camp, Kaduna in Kaduna State with the theme, “Prepared to Conquer” and text “Joshua 13:1” has ended on Saturday.

The Conference which is an annual gathering of the Baptist youths in Nigeria and other Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Conferences outside the country began on Tuesday August 6, 2019 with the opening ceremony which featured welcome address by the Local Organising Committee Chairman who also doubles as the Kaduna Baptist Youth Conference, Pastor Zakka Maiwada. It also witnessed drama ministration/cultural display where the cherished culture of different tribes was displayed. The drama presentation further interpreted the theme.

The climax of the opening session was the theme interpretation by the Youth National Coordinator, Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Rev Joshua IbukunOluwa. He noted that Joshua prepared through his experiences in Egypt; through his encounter with God; through his faith in God; through his faithful obedience to God; and through his loyalty to Moses, among others.

He said that we can prepare to conquer in the contemporary time by pre-salvation experience; salvation experience; faith in God; faithful obedience to God and loyalty to spiritual leadership. He concluded by urging youths to prepare themselves for the battle ahead. “Thank God for the previous lands you have conquered but don’t underestimate the grace of God to carry you through future challenges of life. As long as you are on this side of eternity, the battle is not over. However, don’t give up.” He concluded.

Some of the key programs of the conference included words ministration by Rev Dr Israel Akanji who spoke on “Prepared to Conquer: Experiencing the Unfailing God” and Caleb: The Spirit of the Overcomer; Seminar on “Application of Contemporary Trends in Christian Mission” anchored by the former National Secretary of the body, Pastor Yohanna Dalla.

The usual “Six Hours in His Presence” was great. The first word and prayer session was anchored by Rev AlhamduTukurah with the topic “Defeating Your Goliath” text, “1Samuel 17:445-47”, second session was taken by former Pastor Administration, Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Rev Dr Marcus Audu with the topic “Help from Above” text, Psalm 121:1-3 while the last session was taken by a United Kingdom based minister, Rev Bukky Oyewale, with the topic “Make Me A Victor” with the text taken from 1John 5:4.

There were seminar presentations on ten different fields which ran concurrently with experts taking each topic. The topics included Maximizing Social Media Opportunities; Discovering, Developing and Deploying your Business Skills; Application of Contemporary Trends in Christian Mission; Learning for Global Transformation; Hepatitis B: Prevention and Cure; Overcoming Challenges of Marriage; Relationship: Building Network of Friendship; The Secret Place of a Disciple; Leadership: Developing the Leader in You, and How to Find Purpose among others. There was also Bible Study titled “The Making of a Disciple” facilitated by Rev Dr Moses Audi, President, Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna.

There were reports from the NBCYC Secretariat, Financial Secretary, and the Auditor. Other reports were the credential committee, resolution committee, executive committee, project committee and Bible Quiz. The Coordinator, Director and President of the group addressed the delegates.
The Plateau Baptist Conference Youth Conference had the highest delegates registering 223 out of the 2102 total registered delegates. Southern Kaduna Baptist Conference emerged winner of the Bible Quiz competition while the First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja came first in the Youth Week Offering.

The new executive committee members were presented to the conference for ratification. In his address, the NBCYC outgoing President, Deacon Habakkuk Ishaku congratulated the new leadership urging them to be steadfast. “For the incoming leadership, I beseech you to remain steadfast for the Masters calling in all your endeavours, exhausting ourselves to seek significance in what we do because we can only be remembered for good works. It’s all about Jesus.”

Youth and Student Ministry, Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, Rev. S.A.K Olaleye gave the closing charge and prayed for the youths. The programme climaxed with the celebration by all conferences while the President, Deacon Habakkuk Ishaku declared the conference closed late Saturday evening.