Awka Diocesan Synod:Archbishop Ibezim Tasks Priests On Catching Youths For Christ For Church’s Future
By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka
The Archbishop, Province of the Niger, and Bishop Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD jas said that the future of the church depends greatly on how faithfully youths are nurtured, guided, and empowered by today’s leaders particularly in the Church.
In his charge at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, during the 14th Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Province of the Niger, Diocese of Awka, with the theme, “Repositioning the Church for the Future: A Focus on Youth Ministry,” the Archbishop Ibezim, said that without the youths, there is no future for the church.
He noted that it is not easy to manage youths who possess enormous energy, and charged educational institutions to ensure rich moral content, while urging parents to guide their children on moral issues, noting that spiritual formation starts at home.
Ibezim further noted that Nigerian citizens, including the youths, face economic challenges that deepen poverty levels, calling for economic reforms focused on the agricultural revolution.
Archbishop Ibezim called for economic reforms driven by agricultural revolution to address rising poverty and unemployment in Nigeria.
The Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Right Reverend Samuel Ezeofor, charged the church, families, and the entire society to listen to and create a conducive environment where young people can freely express themselves.
Meanwhile, the first session of the Fourteenth Synod of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, ended at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, with thanksgiving, cutting of cake, and fundraising.
Recall that the Synod guest preacher, the Right Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Onsachi of Okene Diocese, Kogi State declared that youths are people not to be despised, but who should be carried along and involved in the service and leadership of the church.
Speaking on God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in his sermon during the service attended by Governor Chukwuma Soludo represented by his deputy, Dr OnyekaChukwu Ibezim, Bishop Onsachi, urged youths to abide by the nurture and discipline of the elders of the church.
He noted that by God’s sovereignty, He decides to bless man, but charged the youths to play their own part for God’s blessings to manifest in their lives.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, called on lay faithful to defend the faith, support the clergy and the work of God, and thanked Bishop Ibezim for building structures and human beings in the diocese.
Archbishop Ibezim later announced the Clerical synod secretary of the Diocese of Awka, Reverend Canon Dr Kingsley Chukwukanma as an Archdeacon while 9 clergy were pronounced Canons.
Archbishop Ibezim said Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government Area, will host the 2027 Synod of the Awka Anglican Diocese.
