A generation of young Nigerians is walking away from the church, and the fathers of faith are being mocked and shamed online. The recent targeting of Pastor EA Adeboye, a revered figure, by youths on social media is a symptom of a deeper crisis. It’s not just about disrespect; it’s about a profound loss of trust and a hunger for a faith that feels real.
In my 42 years of ministry, I have never seen such anger and disillusionment among the young. Many have watched their parents mistreated by the very institutions they served. They have seen hypocrisy, greed, and a gospel that seems more about money than transformation. They are not just rebelling; they are reacting to a version of Christianity that feels hollow.
The church is facing a perfect storm. Postmodern thinking, cultural pressures, and a generation that has witnessed the church’s close ties with a failing political system have eroded its moral authority. Young people are asking hard questions: Why should we follow a faith that seems to bless injustice? Why should we honor leaders who don’t live what they preach?
The Bible warns of a generation that “knew not the Lord.” We are seeing it unfold. Children of prominent pastors are abandoning the faith, some turning to atheism or traditional religions. The stories of Franklin Graham, Andy Stanley, and others remind us that even the most faithful homes can produce prodigals when authenticity is missing.
The core problem is not the youths’ anger, but the church’s failure to pass on a living, breathing faith. We have focused on programs and prosperity while neglecting discipleship and holiness. We have sharpened our sermons but dulled our witness. The next generation is going to war without swords—without a deep, personal knowledge of God’s Word.
But there is hope. History shows that God raises blacksmiths in times of crisis—people like Jonathan Edwards who can sharpen the spiritual tools of their day. The call is for fathers to repent, to repair the broken walls of the gospel, and to model a faith worth following. The youths must also rise, not in judgment, but in a holy determination to seek the truth.
The church in Nigeria may face extinction by 2030 if we do not change. But the God who raised a generation from dry bones can do it again. The choice is ours: Will we let the fire die, or will we fan it into a flame that lights the next generation?
