Historical background of Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship

CAC Worldwide Youth Officer, Pastor Samson O. Gbuyiro

The history of Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship dates back to the nineteen-forties.  The Youth Fellowship of the forties was an extra-Constitutional Organisation formed by the then youths and approved by the Church Authority.  The Organisations included the prayer Band, the Prayer Warrior and the Prayer Battalion in 1949 that later metamorphosed into the ‘Light of the World Society’ (LOWS) in 1966.  Later years saw the formation of the other Organizations such as the Youth Camp in 1970, the Christ Apostolic Church Students’ Association (CACSA) in 1970, and the United Association of Christ Apostolic Church Choirs (UACACC) in 1973.

The notable achevments of these Organisations notwithstanding, their operations led to unprecedented problems, which later assumed unmanageable proportions.  These included programme conflicts, unhealthy rivalry, and improper relationship with the line of authority of the Church.  Consequently, the Church Authority in her reorganisation exercise in 1992 dissolved all the aforementioned organizations in the Mission and formed a new evangelical body called, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP, for the purposes of promoting unity, ensuring better productivity  amongst the Youths and to facilitate effective Coordination of Youth activities within the Church.

The Christ Apostolic Church is governed by only one Constitution.  Therefore, all its agencies or arms of operation are in turn guided by  Rules and Regulations flowing from the same Constitution.

Motto:The motto of the Fellowship is ONENESS IN CHRIST (John 17:21)

Logo:The Logo of the Fellowship shall comprise two rings inside which are written the name and motto of the fellowship and inside the inner rings is a Bible and a Handbell held by two hands on a rock.

Communication:The mode of communiation in the Fellowship is English or the language prevalent in the locality.

Membership:Membership of the Fellowship is open to all youths of the Christ Apostolic Church.

Membership is by registration either at the local Church assembly or at the relevant educational institution.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Aims and Objectives:      The aims and objectives of the Fellowship is to:

(a)             Lead every youth in the Christ Apostolic Church (hereinafter referred to as the Church) to Christ so as to enable him/her have a personal experience of salvation;

(b)            Infuse Christian discipline and growth in the youths.

(c)             Enable the youths, of  the Church cultivate humility, obedience, and other Godly virtues;

(d)            Involve the youths in all aspects of Evangelism and edifying programmes such as Conferences, Retreats, Camps, Leadership Training, Symposia, Lecture, Bible Study, Tarry Meetings, Musical Concerts, Academic Stars Summit, Prayer Conference,  Intercessory Prayer Congress; Campus Crusade, Youth Sundays and other scriptural activities;

(e)             Serve as a forum for training and equipping the youths of the Church for God’s work;

(f)              Uphold and teach the tenets and doctrines of Christ Apostolic Church;

(g)             Foster love, unity and fellowship among the youths of the Church.

Organigram:           The fellowship operate through this mode of operandi viz-a-vis Worldwide (Secretariat)®Region®Centre® Unit ®DCC/Zones®District® Assembly.

Leaders:       The fellowship had enjoyed the grace impartation of the following leaders from onset till date.  The first Officer was Pastor G.O.E. Okafor, followed by Pastor Aanu Ojo and assisted by Pastor Joe Jacobs.  At the end of his tenure, Pastor Joe Jacobs became the substantial Youth Officer but no assistant during his tenure.  Therefore, the current Youth Officer is Pastor S.O. Gbuyiro while the assistant is Pastor S.O. Oke.

Major Function:    Youth Department is to perform some specific function in the Mission.  Such as:

1.     Inculcating and maintaining the legacies and doctrines of the Mission.

2.     Overseen the affairs of the fellowship at all levels.

3.     Overseen the activities of the Campus Fellowship

4.     Critically managing the Corper Fellowship

5.     Organising Easter Retreat for the Mission

6.     Operate check and balance toward the various Committees set up for smooth running of the fellowship.

7.     And any other matters

The Youth Department is located at the CAC General Secretariat Complex, Anlugbua, Basorun Ibadan, Oyo State