By Patrick Obia
Clergies and experts have charged hundreds of youths to always take the bull by the horns on the ladder to their success rather than tow the path of the get-quick-rich syndrome.
This was the take-home message in a three-day International Youth Conference organized by the Joshua General of the Liberty Gospel Church, Worldwide held at the headquarters in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Nigeria.
The annual conference witnessed various preachers’ teachings, reminding youths to live a sacrificial life through service to God and humanity.
Speaking on the topic, “Wasting youthfulness”, the General Overseer of Liberty Gospel Church, Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio said the season of the youth is a sowing season that needs the word of God to be quickened.
She said singleness/youthfulness is a gift from God the Creator, as God has never called a man at the evening of his life.
Drawing her sermon from 2 Timothy 2 verse 22, she averred that the mind of the youth is easily beset with the lust for wealth. However, wealth is no crime. But when not in sync with the hands to make it real, it so ruminates, adding that “that’s where we say the mind is surcharged with lust.”
The Gospel singer intimated that: “When God allows a plague to ravage the earth, he creates room for men to seek out scientific solutions. However, the more solutions proffered, the more the hearts of men grow hardened and indulge more in abominations that provoke God’s wrath even more.
“If you are not disciplined enough, as a youth, to use the little stipends that come to you to support the work of God – God might stand aloof from you in the future.”
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Also speaking on the topic, “the youth and sexual sin”, Apostle Helen who doubles as a writer posited that God is not against sex, provided it occurs within the bounds of a legally recognized marital union, stating that virginity is expensive especially, in the spirit realm.
She explained that in the realm of wickedness, rituals that exude tremendous power procure virgins to use their hymen to facilitate hideous schemes whatever it may be; clinging to the book of Revelation 1 verse 10.
Admonishing on the topic, ”A life of sacrifice”, Pastor Mfonido Ukpabio who based his teaching on Luke 6:36; Psalm 103:11; Romans 11:35; Job 41:11, and Philippians 2:5 said God will never demand from you what you don’t have, as when God asks, what is requested has already been provided.
Pastor Mfonido emphasized that nothing good comes easily and will always require a sacrifice that costs something – time, money, hard work, and resources, among others. Adding that anything given in the state of convenience is not a sacrifice but an offering.
Preaching earlier, the International Youth President of the church, Deacon Abba Kalu, demystifying the theme of the conference “A Living Sacrifice”, said sacrifices is to give up something of value in exchange for something of higher value.
He said as descendants of Abraham, it is of note to emulate the sacrificial life he is known for.
The activity kicked off with a rally in Calabar metropolis on Thursday.
High points of the conference were singling out the singles session that offered youth the opportunity to rob minds among themselves on singlehood. It involved experience sharing and how to keep oneself pure and focused in the general of distractions and lusts.
A panel session took center stage, as youths were coached by seasoned professionals, mentors, and teachers drawn from different spheres including politics, technology, academia, entrepreneurship, legal, finance, advocates, and others.
Among those who shared their expertise include the Founder and School Director of Ja’el Christian Schools, Ini-Obong Anam; Founder/CEO of Okares Sickle Cell Foundation, Barrister Onor-Obassi Tawo; Professor of Law at the University of Calabar, Prof. Mike Okom; Public Servant, Strategist and SME Development expert, Joseph Edet.
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Others are Retail Banking Group, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, Chinaemerem Ibesim; DEVOPS Engineer, Co-founder of PSIFON ORG and TERSU, David Essien; the Executive Director of Guru Foundation, Oyo Effiom, and Mr. Prince Michael Abuo.
The experts in their divergent prowesses urged youths to be intentional in their dealings, get a mentor, accept corrections, get rid of fear, and never be afraid to get to the peak.
Other highlights of the conference were free medical outreach, music concert, question and answer sessions, Thanksgiving, dances, and group photographs.
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