YOUTHS ARE THE CHURCH’S SHINING HOPE – BISHOP IBEZIM TELLS ANGLICAN YOUTHS

By Chinelo Okeke
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‎The Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, and Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, His Grace, Most Rev. Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, has described youths as “a shining hope for the Anglican Communion.”
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‎Bishop Ibezim stated this on Sunday during the 2026 Annual Anglican Youth Fellowship Service held simultaneously across all churches in the Diocese of Awka.
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‎Preaching on the theme, “If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us?”, the Bishop emphasized the importance of maintaining a daily dependence on God. He urged the youths to patiently wait on the Lord, walk in faithful obedience to His will, and remain steadfast in their confidence in His unfailing promises.
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‎He noted that the life of a young Christian is often marked by challenges such as peer pressure, fear of failure, temptation, rejection, uncertainty about the future, and spiritual battles that can lead to loneliness and discouragement.
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‎The bishop also enjoined the youths to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, stressing that no opposition could nullify God’s purpose for their lives. In his words, “It does not mean we will never encounter difficulties, but it means we have divine backing, victory, strength, and protection through Christ.”
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‎Earlier, the Bishop commended the youths for their commitment to the work of God, describing them as precious to God and invaluable to the church. He acknowledged their large turnout and dedication during the just-concluded Synod and Youth Summit.
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‎Bishop Ibezim further stressed that the assurance of God’s presence gives believers the confidence to live boldly, obey His word, and trust Him completely. He added that despite battles, temptations, and challenges, God remains faithful, strengthening, protecting, guiding, and granting victory to those who trust Him.
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‎He encouraged the youths to depend on God, make the Bible an integral part of their lives, and maintain a life of unceasing prayer in order to stand firm against opposition. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” the bishop concluded.
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‎Chinelo Okeke is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
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