In a recent event that took place at St Jame’s Anglican Church, Ogwash-Uku in Delta State where Anglican Youth Fellowship of Diocese of Asaba held their 28th Annual Bible Study Conference; with the Theme Redeeming the Time, EEHB's Edozie and Samuel Babs had a chat with the President of the Diocese of Asaba Anglican Youth Fellowship Evangelist Samuel Okeofu who spoke on the issues bothering the Youths in the Anglican Church, the place of Church in our society, Nigeria political instability and insecurity and the way forward. Below are the excerpt, happy reading.
May we know you sir?
I am Evang. Samuel Okeofu, the President of Anglican Youth Fellowship, Diocese of Asaba
What is this Bible Study Conference all about?
The Bible Study Conference is the 28th edition of Asaba Diocese. It is a gathering of Anglican Youths starting from the station churches to the National. It features Talks on a selected Theme, Expositions on the Bible books, Seminars, Faith Clinic, Bible Studies, Bible Quiz and Diocesan AYF Magazine Launch. This year will witness the first of the AYF Bus fund raising/launching?
Sir, can you tell us when and how this conference came to be?
This Conference first started in Lagos in the year 1977. This year is the 56th National Bible Study Conference and the 28th Diocesan Bible Study Conference of Asaba Diocese. How it came to be was as a result of the decision taken by the Anglican Church to gather youths in the Anglican Communion and teach them the Bible and ethics of Anglican Communion.
Is this Conference open for only the Anglican Youths or for all that care to identify with them?
Yes, it is mainly for Anglican Youths who must camp as delegates. However it is open for all Christians during the Opening Service on Thursday, Official Opening Ceremony on Friday and on Sunday Service.
Sir, what are the notable benefits of this conference on the youths?
Notable benefits of this conference on youths is that it paves way for spiritual upliftment, lost souls are delivered and solutions are granted to persons who have difficulties and challenges academically, financially, martially etc. this is done by collective prayers and spirit-filled teachings on issues affecting Youths. It creates a forum for interaction and godly friendliness among Youths.
Base on the Theme of this year’s conference, its catchy and sounds like a wakeup call to the Youths; what is the spirit behind it and the expected benefits on the conferees?
In our country today we are witnessing quite a lot, Insecurity, Injustice, Serial Killings from Boko Haram and many other social ills. What do you think is the cause and the possible way out?
The cause of these evil vises of Insecurity is lack of the fear of God and failure to redeem this time for Jesus. These injustice and serial killings are signs of End-time as foretell in the Bible by prophets of God like Isaiah and John the Apostle.
Sir, looking at our political terrain. Do you think all is well with us as a country?
Laughs… it will be untrue to say emphatically that it is alright with us as a country. This is because these evil menace caused by people who have no Jesus in them, I mean Church goers or those who take Christian names as biological names are the ones perpetrating these vises of societal ills. Moreso, these persons are privilege to position themselves in top ranking political offices and make it easier for them to perpetrate their evil desires.
Sir is the church doing enough to salvage the situation in our society and country or are they contributing the decay as it were?
Yes the Church is doing enough to save this ugly situation in our country like Nigeria through prayers, seminars, crusades, etc. However, the Church should do more by encouraging good personal life-style by practicing what the Bible our manual says. We as a church should aspire to be in top political positions so as to make godly decision or laws that would influence others positively.
What should be the reaction of Christians as regards to the Boko Haram Epidemic?
hmmmm… sighs… to be candid, I should state that Christians should address the Boko Haram menace with prayers and intercession knowing that this action of Boko Haram is not going to be forever but has an end. This situation is not strange to Christian who knows how to redeem this time for Jesus. The Christians should not physically fight back through retaliation by killing the members of Boko Haram but if caught should submit them to the appropriate authorities so that the law will take its cause. If any Christian kills, he has committed murder and is a grave sin against God.
As a Christian Youth President, what is the place of Christian Youth in our society?
The place of the Christian Youths in our society is to fear God in all our activities, be it in schools, offices etc.
What is expected of a Christian Youth in the present day society?
Expectations of a Christian Youth in our present day society include; Honesty, Diligent in duties assigned, Hardworking, etc. Youth should be obedient to constituted authorities mostly, if it is not against God’s laws.
Sir, looking around us, it seems churches are almost in every home but it looks like the impact of these multiplications is not felt in our society. What do you think is the cause?
Bible our manual foretells it before now that ingenuity shall abound just as churches multiplies.
We also observe that there is mass migration of Youth from Anglican Church to Pentecostal Church. What is the cause and what can be done to redeem it?
The migration of Anglican Youths to Pentecostals is the lack of Biblical Order arrangements of Anglican parents to their children – the Youths by living a diligent bible based practical lifestyles of Christ. Christ Jesus came to fulfill the law by grace but His life was patterned in an orderly manner. Anglican parents should monitor their youths from infancy.
What is your advice to the youth in Anglican Church and outside here?
My advice to Anglican youth here and outside this conference is that the Anglican Church is an ordered church with Christ-like biblical principles.
Thank you sir for your time
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