Foursquare hosts SWITCH 5.0, urges youth inclusion in church leadership
As the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria prepares to host its flagship youth conference, SWITCH 5.0, on May 2 at its national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, the General Overseer, Rev.
As the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria prepares to host its flagship youth conference, SWITCH 5.0, on May 2 at its national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, the General Overseer, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has called for stronger and more intentional inclusion of young people in church leadership and national development.
Aboyeji, who spoke to journalists ahead of the event, warned that the future relevance of the Church depends on how well it engages and empowers the next generation, stressing that youth inclusion is no longer optional but a necessity.
According to him, SWITCH was conceived in 2022 as a strategic platform to mentor young Christian leaders and believers across three critical areas of life—Marriage, Ministry, and the Marketplace.
“SWITCH is an interdenominational, young people-driven, yet inclusive event powered by the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria,” he said. “It focuses on mentoring emerging Christian leaders in marriage, ministry, and the marketplace because these areas are central to both personal fulfilment and national transformation.”
He explained that the initiative was born out of the Church’s commitment to giving back to society, having raised generations of leaders impacting different sectors of life.
“Our commitment to SWITCH is driven by the conviction that the future of the Church and the nation depends on how well we prepare young people today,” he said. “Nigeria is blessed with a vibrant youth population, but potential without direction can easily lead to misdirection.”
Aboyeji noted that SWITCH 5.0 is more than a conference, describing it as “a call to alignment, purpose, and destiny recalibration’ for young people.
This year’s edition is themed, ‘Graced Pacesetters.”
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Aboyeji explained that while pacesetters are those who lead by example and set standards, the emphasis on grace highlights divine empowerment beyond human effort.
“A pacesetter is someone who leads the way and sets new standards. But when we say ‘graced pacesetters,’ we are pointing to a dimension where leadership is not just by effort but by divine enablement,” he said.
He added that the expectation is for participants to encounter grace that will empower them to excel in their careers, ministries, relationships, and life pursuits.
“The conference will feature a lineup of seasoned speakers drawn from ministry and the corporate world. They include Aboyeji and his wife, Rev. (Dr.) Mrs Olabisi; Pastor Yemi Davids, Lead Pastor of Global Impact Church and Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; and Dr Kola Adesina, Chairman of Ikeja Electric and Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group.
According to organisers, the speakers will provide practical insights on leadership, relationships, and career development, with a strong emphasis on applying biblical principles in everyday life.
Aboyeji reiterated that youth inclusion is central to the Church’s future sustainability, warning that failure to engage young people could result in long-term institutional decline.
“Young people are not just future leaders; they are present contributors,” he said. “If the Church does not intentionally include them, we risk losing relevance in the future.”
He added that SWITCH reflects a broader “Next Generation Agenda” aimed at building systems that empower young people rather than merely talking about empowerment.
Aboyeji stated that the event is open to students, young professionals, and members of the public seeking growth in marriage, ministry, and the marketplace, adding that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure a well-structured, impactful, and transformative experience for all participants.
