The General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, yesterday, sensitised youth in the church and nation against violence before, during and after the 2015 general elections in February.
Pastor Kumuyi said it became imperative for the church to ensure that youth in the church were not used by politicians to cause violence at the February polls.
The one day programme, with theme, ‘Let Others See Jesus in You’ was held simultaneously in all locations of Deeper Life Bible Church across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory with a seminar on a seminar on ‘Fulfilling Our Duty In Times of Election’.
The former university don said youth has been a priority in his over 40 years in ministry and cherish both youth in and outside the church, because they were the future spiritual and secular leaders of the country.
He maintained that the elections should not be a do-or-die affair as God is the one who raise leaders and only His decision will stand.
Meanwhile, the State Youth Coordinator, Deeper Life Bible Church, Abuja, Pastor Elijah Alabi, earlier said the essence of the electoral sensitisation organised by the leadership of the church was to make youth understand their civic duty before, during and after the elections.
Alabi further stated that with the electoral sensitisation youth in the church will further spread the message of ‘vote and not fight’ to other youth in their neighbourhood, school, including bus stops, in buses and taxis, market, and other places.
He also thanked the General Superintendent, Pastor Kumuyi for the vision and initiative he took to sensitise thousands of youth in the church on the forthcoming elections.
Kumuyi said: “As the initiator of the one day sensitising of youth against violence in the church with theme, ‘Let Others See Jesus in You’, and having a seminar on ‘Fulfilling Our Duty In Times of Election’, we as a church said it is imperative to properly sensitise our youth as the general elections were just some few weeks ahead.
“We want to inculcate good conduct in these young minds and show them what is expected of them before, during and after the elections.
“We want them to be peaceful and disciplined in their comportment as they go out to vote candidates of their choice on February 14 and 28, 2015.
“The church wants to ensure that youths were not cheaply used by violent politicians that does not mean well for the future of Nigerian youths.
“We as a church owe these young men and women a lot and forms part of the mandate given to us by God to mentor them in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherefore to tolerate and live peacefully with other youths across the country.
“This sensitisation programme is crucial to us and important for the electoral process because it has been interactive because youths had time for questions and answers, and also time to pray for the election.
“We don’t want them to allow sentiments that are detrimental to the corporate existence of our nation in the name of election to overtake them and possibly become violent during and after the elections.”
However, he also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct a free and fair election and peaceful conduct of voters at the polls.
