One of the conversations I’ve been having with myself lately centres around how the church can transit from its current leadership to its next phase of leadership and if these youth are being groomed effectively to take up spiritual leadership roles.

It’s Sunday again and Church crawler activities landed me in Rhema Chapel International Church, Tanke Ilorin – a group of churches led by Reverend George Adegboye. Although enticing, I didn’t visit the main church, I made my way for the Pacesetters Church, the young expression of Rhema Chapel. First of all, I love the unique name of the church. It gave me an idea of what to expect from a youth church.

Right from the door, I knew I was in a youth church although, the aesthetics didn’t suggest that. The people did. The smiles, the hugs, the welcome handshakes and the young ushers who weren’t using the conventional “usher – tags” but found themselves to be cool in their tops and jeans.

Service at the pacesetters spoke of one thing – youthfulness. No one was trying to be over-matured. We laughed, smiled, worshiped, prayed, walked around and sat when the need came. The high point of the service for me was the sermon. Apparently, a young person is picked every Sunday to teach the word – How impressive! I couldn’t help but marvel at the depth with which the young man spoke. Especially in this age where many youth are perceived to only want fun, fun and more fun. The young man spoke of purpose and the discipline of a life set on purpose. I was flabberwhelmed and overgasted. After his sermon, the lead pastor of the youth expression spent another 30 minutes to buttress on the sermon preached as well as sensitising everyone on the need to commit to building their personal relationships with God as nothing ever beats that. He also reminded that the next Sunday would be another explosive one with another youngster taking the sermon. Somehow, I hope this church will keep with this pace of building up youth in the way of the Lord.

The testimonies sounded weird. Maybe because I’ve been used to testimonies from adult churches so hearing testimonies from youth and how God helps them overcome their everyday struggle sounded a bit unusual.

By the end of service, there were so many people to meet, several hands to shake and people to hug. Their love culture isn’t taken lightly at The Pacesetters. No one was in a hurry to leave after the service. I had a little conversation with the lead pastor where I conveyed my deepest gratitude to him for the amazing work done at the pacesetters church.

Many youth churches need to learn from the Pacesetters. Till I attend that church and Church Crawler crawls into your church, better be prepared, “for the hour cometh…”