Christian youths in the country, particularly those in institutions of higher learning, have been urged to shun any vices that could tarnish the good image of Christianity.
This message was delivered as 320 youths from the Nigeria Association of Adventist Students, Plateau-Bauchi Savannah Zone, gathered in Bauchi for a five-day convention aimed at addressing the moral decay among Christian youths in higher institutions across the country.
The students, drawn from various Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, and Universities across the North East zone, were encouraged to focus on spiritual transformation on their respective campuses as faithful members of the Adventist Church in Nigeria.
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Speaking on the theme “Modeling Jesus,” the Guest Speaker, Pastor Zinas Gugu, emphasized that to be true models for Christ, Christian youths must reject all forms of unwholesome practices, including same-sex marriage, lesbianism, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and exam malpractice on campus.
He urged the youths to embrace holiness by dressing modestly, engaging in regular study of the scripture, praying without ceasing, and being shining examples for others, especially in the complex environment of a campus where students often misuse their freedom.
Pastor Zinas Gugu expressed concern over the current membership of the Adventist Church in the North, which he estimated at about 100,000.
He stressed that Adventist youths have a duty to increase this number by engaging in evangelism on their campuses and in their communities to win more souls.
In a message delivered at the event, the President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in charge of the Bauchi-Plateau Nigeria Conference, Pastor Joshua Ezra Mallum, called on the students to recommit themselves to embodying the character of Jesus Christ in their academic, social, and spiritual lives.
He emphasized that as Adventist students and campus leaders, they are charged with the mission of exemplifying Christ’s virtues in their institutions and beyond.
Earlier, the Director of Public Campus Ministry for the Conference, Pastor Kawusu David Umaru, stated that in a world experiencing unprecedented societal challenges, Adventist youths must demonstrate Christ-like character to counter the prevailing acts of materialism and moral compromise in society.
