Facilitators for the 9th Annual Africa Next Generation International Interdenominational Teens and Youth Conference have been trained ahead of the three-day event.
Scheduled for July 23 to 25, 2026, at the West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS), Ipaja, Lagos, organisers say the Africa Next Generation summit is aimed at helping the young ones discover their God-given potential
The training, held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the WATS Conference Room (Glass Hall), was organised to equip facilitators with the workshop topics, teaching methods and approaches they will use during the conference. Ten facilitators attended physically, while others who were unable to attend because of the rainfall joined virtually.
It was opened by the Director of the West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) and one of the coordinators of the conference, Rev. Gary Samuelson.
He described the workshop as the most important aspect of the conference, noting that many lives were transformed through similar sessions at last year’s edition.
“This is the most important part of the conference,” he said, adding that testimonies from previous participants showed the impact of the workshop on young people’s lives.
The lead trainer, Mrs. Mary Joan Emmanuel, while addressing the facilitators, said the conference is designed to help young people discover their God-given potential, understand their identity in Christ and become solution providers in society.
Drawing from her study on missions, she urged facilitators to raise young people who are not only passionate about evangelism but also equipped with practical skills.
“Most of us are generalists missionary, and that is the problem of the world today,” she said. “Those who took the gospel alongside practical skills such as repairing shoes, baking cakes or cutting hair were able to penetrate communities faster.”
She stressed that every environment should be seen as a mission field, saying, “In that company is a mission field. In that football field where they play, it is a mission field. Everywhere they are, they should know they are there to solve problems and meet needs.”
Mrs. Emmanuel added that young people who embrace this mindset would become job creators rather than job seekers and would be less likely to engage in corruption or crime.
One of the facilitators, Mrs. Moye, who also served during the previous edition and heads the conference’s kitchen department, clarified that activities on July 23 are mainly for contestants participating in the Face of Gen-C pageantry and other preparatory sessions, while the main conference programme will take place on July 24 and 25.
The Eagle reports that the Africa Next Generation International Interdenominational Teens and Youth Conference is organised by Rebuild Next Generation Christian Fellowship in collaboration with the West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS).
Themed “Gen-C Culture”, it is open to participants between the ages of 12 and 35 years. Registration is free and covers feeding, conference materials and limited accommodation for participants travelling from distant locations.
Daily activities will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the West Africa Theological Seminary, 36 Olokunle Akinola Street, Akinleye Bus Stop, Ipaja, Lagos.
