By David Bolarinwa,The Nation
Copyright thenationonlineng
The Director of Youth and Student Ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Dr. James Olawuyi, has described the 2025 Arise Congress as the beginning of a “new dawn” for Baptist youths, pledging broader empowerment programmes to transform them into champions and kingdom financiers for global impact.
Speaking at the Baptist International Convention Center Studios, Rev. Olawuyi said the just-concluded congress left him “overwhelmed with joy,” noting that the long-awaited dream had finally become a reality.
“My feeling is beyond expression. I feel overwhelmed with joy, with fulfilment. For years, we have been dreaming of such a time like this, and for it to become a reality can only be God,” he said.
Themed “Emergence of Champions,” the congress went beyond spiritual revival to introduce practical empowerment initiatives such as career and business development sessions, proposal submissions, and networking opportunities with employers.
Rev. Olawuyi stressed that this was only the beginning of a more holistic agenda designed to equip Baptist youths across Nigeria and beyond.
“It is a new dawn. Our future is very simple, empowering the youth as champions for kingdom exploitation and global impact. If you want them to be champions, some things must come. We can’t remain the same as a denomination,” he noted.
According to him, the NBC is focusing on three critical areas in the development of its youth: spiritual life, career advancement, and relationships.
On the spiritual front, Rev. Olawuyi said the goal was to raise Christians who are not just ordinary believers but “giants for God” across ministry, missions, education, music, and other spheres of life.
In career and academics, the NBC is setting up structures to raise what he called “kingdom financiers” capable of supporting the ministry with significant resources.
“I’m waiting for a day I will need ₦500 million for the work of God, and just ten of our products will say, ‘Don’t bother yourself, we’ll handle it.’ To achieve that, we must invest in their careers, connect them to global opportunities, and empower them to succeed,” he said.
He revealed that many Nigerian Baptist youths had already been connected to international corporate bodies through the convention this year, adding that more global partnerships would emerge under the umbrella of the Allied Youth Network for Global Impact, an NGO set up to drive continuous empowerment and networking.
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On relationships, Rev. Olawuyi stressed the importance of building mentoring platforms, strengthening family life, and preparing youths for marriage and responsible partnerships. He warned against the dangers of neglecting issues of relationships and family in youth development.
“Marriage will make or mar the future. This is a generation that takes the issue of boyfriend and girlfriend loosely, not knowing that it can destroy destiny. That’s why we are giving attention to single life, courtship, married life, and general friendships,” he explained.
He further hinted at NBC’s plans to groom a new generation of Christian politicians who will rise to serve at the state and national levels.
“We know what we are doing. We want to raise Christian politicians. By God’s grace, among us now, we already have those in the Houses of Assembly, but we want more. We will mobilize for them in due time,” he affirmed.
Closing his remarks, Rev. Olawuyi assured Baptist youths nationwide that the convention is committed to sustaining this new wave of empowerment, calling on them to prepare themselves for opportunities that are already unfolding.
“I just want to welcome the youth into a new dawn as we create a movement of champions for kingdom exploits and global impact,” he declared.
The Arise Congress 2.0 drew thousands of youths to the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lufuwape, between September 3 and 6, 2024, and is now regarded as one of the largest Christian youth gatherings in Africa.
