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  • Baptist youths laud Arise Congress 2.0, share expectations for next edition

    Baptist youths laud Arise Congress 2.0, share expectations for next edition

    Following the conclusion of Arise Congress 2.0, a four-day gathering that drew more than 25,000 youths to the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lufuwape, Ogun State, participants lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, reflecting on their experiences and sharing expectations for the next edition, Arise Congress 3.0. 

    The event, held from September 3 to 6, 2025 was widely described by attendees as transformative and impactful, combining moments of intense spiritual revival with opportunities for youth empowerment, networking, and personal growth.

    The NBC President, Rev. Dr. Isreal Akanji, during his address, declared the ambition of mobilising 50,000 youths for the next edition. 

    Reacting to this target, Olaoluwa Andrew Adebisi, popularly known as “Brother to the Bad Boys,” described the goal as realistic, citing the role of digital platforms in achieving it.

    He said: “Yes, I believe that this goal is realistic with my role, that is using the gift God placed in my hands through the use of digitalization like social media platforms to spread this mobilization to every nook and corner of the world.”.

    While commending the quality of sessions at the congress, Adebisi also urged organisers to keep improving. “Arise Congress 2.0 was top-notch and we give God the glory because truly we all have indeed GBERA,” he added.

    Rhoda Akinteye, a delegate from the Kwara Baptist Conference, stated that the next edition presents an opportunity to deepen life-changing initiatives.

     She expressed hope that future gatherings would provide more tangible benefits to participants.

    She said:  “My expectations for the next edition would be more opportunities for youths, they started something like that this year though, it would be awesome getting something more—scholarship for some, business grants for some, skill acquisition, you know, opportunities that would really impact life forever and youths can boldly say Arise Congress gave me this.”

    Akinteye, however, noted that accommodation and transportation posed major challenges in the last edition. “The struggle people had to get transported from BICC to Redemption Camp was real. More buses can be provided to ease transportation for delegates,” she suggested.

    Read Also: Nigerian Baptist Convention unveils Arise Congress 2.0 to empower youths, leaders

    Ogunsanwo Adebayo of the Lagos West Baptist Conference described the congress as more than just a spiritual gathering, emphasizing its role in empowering Baptist youths to excel across different spheres. 

    “Personally, Arise Congress is more than just a gathering targeted at young believers, it’s an avenue to network, put your skill to work and even build your portfolio, what this means for Baptist youth is that we’re being primed to take up new roles and challenges regardless of where we find ourselves. It’s also a nod that we are the future and we must not back down. If we can be excellent in our local fellowships, we should be excellent at the convention level and not be limited to just church. For me, Arise Congress is the push many Baptist youth didn’t know we needed,” he explained.

    Looking ahead, Adebayo called for the convention to leverage the platform to promote young talents beyond the church space. “This year, we saw a few entrepreneurs receiving grants from the convention—an initiative I really applaud, however, beyond the spiritual session, I want to see Arise Congress putting young people on bigger platforms, we have many talented individuals across different sectors and walks of life, the Congress should be an avenue for the Nigerian Baptist Convention to promote its own—whether you’re in the tech space, literature, academics, politics, entertainment—just name the sector,” he said.

    With the curtain drawn on Arise Congress 2.0, the voices of these youths highlight both the successes of the recent edition and the areas of growth needed to make Arise Congress 3.0 an even more impactful platform for the next generation of leaders.

  • Arise Congress: We want to raise kingdom financiers, says Rev. Olawuyi

    Arise Congress: We want to raise kingdom financiers, says Rev. Olawuyi

    The Director of Youth and Student Ministries of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Dr. James Olawuyi, has described the 2025 Arise Congress as the beginning of a “new dawn” for Baptist youths, pledging broader empowerment programmes to transform them into champions and kingdom financiers for global impact.

    Speaking at the Baptist International Convention Center Studios, Rev. Olawuyi said the just-concluded congress left him “overwhelmed with joy,” noting that the long-awaited dream had finally become a reality.

    “My feeling is beyond expression. I feel overwhelmed with joy, with fulfilment. For years, we have been dreaming of such a time like this, and for it to become a reality can only be God,” he said.

    Themed “Emergence of Champions,” the congress went beyond spiritual revival to introduce practical empowerment initiatives such as career and business development sessions, proposal submissions, and networking opportunities with employers.

    Rev. Olawuyi stressed that this was only the beginning of a more holistic agenda designed to equip Baptist youths across Nigeria and beyond.

     “It is a new dawn. Our future is very simple, empowering the youth as champions for kingdom exploitation and global impact. If you want them to be champions, some things must come. We can’t remain the same as a denomination,” he noted.

    According to him, the NBC is focusing on three critical areas in the development of its youth: spiritual life, career advancement, and relationships.

    On the spiritual front, Rev.  Olawuyi said the goal was to raise Christians who are not just ordinary believers but “giants for God” across ministry, missions, education, music, and other spheres of life.

    In career and academics, the NBC is setting up structures to raise what he called “kingdom financiers” capable of supporting the ministry with significant resources.

     “I’m waiting for a day I will need ₦500 million for the work of God, and just ten of our products will say, ‘Don’t bother yourself, we’ll handle it.’ To achieve that, we must invest in their careers, connect them to global opportunities, and empower them to succeed,” he said.

    He revealed that many Nigerian Baptist youths had already been connected to international corporate bodies through the convention this year, adding that more global partnerships would emerge under the umbrella of the Allied Youth Network for Global Impact, an NGO set up to drive continuous empowerment and networking.

    Read Also: Baptist Convention launches BAYIA scheme to empower youths

    On relationships, Rev. Olawuyi stressed the importance of building mentoring platforms, strengthening family life, and preparing youths for marriage and responsible partnerships. He warned against the dangers of neglecting issues of relationships and family in youth development.

    “Marriage will make or mar the future. This is a generation that takes the issue of boyfriend and girlfriend loosely, not knowing that it can destroy destiny. That’s why we are giving attention to single life, courtship, married life, and general friendships,” he explained.

    He further hinted at NBC’s plans to groom a new generation of Christian politicians who will rise to serve at the state and national levels.

    “We know what we are doing. We want to raise Christian politicians. By God’s grace, among us now, we already have those in the Houses of Assembly, but we want more. We will mobilize for them in due time,” he affirmed.

    Closing his remarks, Rev.  Olawuyi assured Baptist youths nationwide that the convention is committed to sustaining this new wave of empowerment, calling on them to prepare themselves for opportunities that are already unfolding.

    “I just want to welcome the youth into a new dawn as we create a movement of champions for kingdom exploits and global impact,” he declared.

    The Arise Congress 2.0 drew thousands of youths to the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lufuwape, between September 3 and 6, 2024, and is now regarded as one of the largest Christian youth gatherings in Africa.

  • Baptist Convention targets 50,000 for next Arise Congress

    Baptist Convention targets 50,000 for next Arise Congress

    The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) said it is targeting gathering 50,000 youths for the next edition of the Arise Congress. 

    This followed the massive success of Arise Congress 2.0 which ended last week at the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

    NBC President, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, described the 2025 edition as “an overwhelming move of God” and expressed confidence that future gatherings would be even bigger.

    “When we began the Arise Congress in 2023, we anticipated about 5,000 participants, but what we received was much more,” he said. 

    READ ALSO: TUC threatens nationwide strike over 5% petroleum tax

    “Attendance grew to nearly 25,000, with many more joining online. It was the largest gathering of young people in worship anywhere in Nigeria at the time, and this year’s edition, themed Emergence of Champions, has surpassed even that.”

    Akanji admitted that the rapid growth of the congress initially presented challenges, particularly with logistics and funding but maintained that every investment in youth was worthwhile.

    “At first, we thought 5,000 would be manageable, but when attendance exploded to 25,000, I became concerned about resources. Yet, we released what we had because impacting the lives of young people spiritually will never be a loss to the denomination, whatever we pour into this program, God will return in multiplied ways. These youths will one day take over our churches, associations, conferences, universities, and seminaries as pastors, professors, and leaders,” he said.

    On projections for the future, Akanji said the Convention was not ruling out a bigger gathering in the immediate term with the possibility of another edition coming as early as December 2025.

    “With God, nothing is impossible, we are already looking forward to an edition that could welcome 50,000 or more.

    “If He condenses time, it would not surprise me if we find ourselves here again very soon. What we are witnessing is no longer a mustard seed; it has grown into a big tree providing shade for thousands,” he said.

    The NBC President assured that the Arise Congress will continue to focus on spiritual revival while also strengthening the social impact of Baptist youths nationwide.

  • Nigerian Baptist Convention unveils Arise Congress 2.0 to empower youths, leaders

    Nigerian Baptist Convention unveils Arise Congress 2.0 to empower youths, leaders

    The Nigerian Baptist Convention has announced the second edition of the Arise Congress, a four-day convocation designed to equip and empower Christian youths and leaders across Nigeria and beyond.

    Tagged Arise Congress 2.0, the event is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, September 3, to Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    Building on the success of its maiden edition, which attracted over 20,000 onsite participants and a wider online audience, this year’s congress is projected to draw more than 30,000 attendees with a global virtual reach.

    The congress will feature plenary sessions by internationally respected speakers, breakout discussions on youth, family, and national issues, spirit-filled worship, mentorship clinics, as well as a career and entrepreneurship fair to connect young people with opportunities.

    Read Also: Nigerian Baptist Convention reacts as court dismisses Oyekan’s suit

    Expected ministers and thought leaders include Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention; Bishop David Abioye; Pastor Fela Durotoye; Pastor Nike Adeyemi; and Pastor Lawrence Oyor, among others. Organizers say their teachings and prophetic insights will inspire participants to rise as champions in faith, leadership, and community transformation.

    With its theme, “The Emergence of Champions,” Arise Congress 2.0 is positioned as a movement for spiritual revival and societal transformation. The Nigerian Baptist Convention has called on churches, youth groups, and individuals nationwide and internationally to join what it describes as a life-changing gathering.

  • Nigerian Baptist Convention reacts as court dismisses Oyekan’s suit

    Nigerian Baptist Convention reacts as court dismisses Oyekan’s suit

    The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has expressed satisfaction with the judgement of the Oyo State High Court which dismissed a lawsuit filed by Emmanuel Oyewole Oyekan and four others against the Convention and its leadership.

    Justice O.A. Adetujoye, presiding at Court 11 of the Oyo State High Court Complex, Ring Road, Ibadan, dismissed the suit marked 1/710/2024, which challenged the authorities of the Convention and its President, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, to derobe Oyekan and nine other pastors, and to disfellowship Ajegunle Baptist Church.

    The action, filed in June 2024 by Oyekan with Rev. Dr. C.D. Oluwabukola, Deacon I.O. Akanmu, Mrs. B.D. Oyewole, and Sister Olajoke Akinyemi, contested the Convention’s disciplinary actions conveyed in a letter dated June 10, 2024.

    While the suit was pending, some members of Ajegunle Baptist Church and six pastors from its daughter churches publicly distanced themselves from the plaintiffs, who lead a breakaway group identified as “New Glory Baptist Church.” 

    Following this development, the Convention rescinded its decisions regarding the six pastors and the church.

    The defendants, represented by the law firm of Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) & Co., filed a statement of defence along with a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction. 

    The objection argued that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to sue, as they were no longer recognised members of the Convention, having registered “New Glory Baptist Church” as a separate legal entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

    Arguments on the preliminary objection were heard on March 18, 2025. In his ruling delivered on Thursday, June 19, 2025, Justice Adetujoye upheld the objection and dismissed the case.

    Reacting to the judgement, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Seyon Idowu Koshoedo, in a statement in Ibadan on Saturday titled: ‘Justice Adetujoye dismisses Oyekan’s case against Nigerian Baptist Convention’, said: “Thus, all controversies over Ajegunle Baptist Church have been resolved in favour of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.”

  • Baptist Convention to Tinubu: Convene National Security Summit

    Baptist Convention to Tinubu: Convene National Security Summit

    Concerned by the resurgence spate of insecurity across the nation, the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently convene a national security summit.

    The proposed summit, according to the Convention, should bring together former Presidents, Heads of State as well as current and past security chiefs to chart a new course for tackling the worsening security crisis.

    Speaking at a briefing ahead of the Convention’s 112th Annual Session and the 175th anniversary of Baptist missionary work in Nigeria, President of the Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, said the proposed summit should include the Minister of Defence, Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies.

    He decried the deepening insecurity across the nation, citing recurring incidents of mass killings, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks in Plateau, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, and Borno states. 

    He said: “The spate of mass burials in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and other communities is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. This is not the time for lip service.”

    He reiterated the Convention’s call for the creation of State Police, insisting that the current centralized policing model is inadequate for Nigeria’s security needs.

    Beyond security, the Convention President highlighted other pressing national issues including economic hardship, poor infrastructure, and the growing “Japa” syndrome—mass emigration of Nigerian youths in search of better opportunities abroad. 

    While noting some improvements in foreign investment inflow, he called on the government to intensify efforts to make Nigeria more attractive to investors.

    Speaking on the convention with the theme: “Entering into Newness through Fasting and Prayer,” the NBC Convention President said the event will open Saturday, April 26 at the Baptist International Convention Centre along the Lagos-Ibadan Expresswayand and hosted by the Providence, Ethiope, and Anioma Delta Baptist Conferences.

    Akanji also extended condolences to the Roman Catholic Church over the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, in Vatican City, a day after delivering his Easter message. “What a glorious exit,” he said.

    The Nation reports that, the Nigerian Baptist Convention was established as a national body on March 11, 1914 during a meeting at First Baptist Church, Idikan Street, Ibadan.