Pentecostal Formation Must Cross Generations

On Sunday, the children leave for one room, teenagers gather in another and adults remain in the main sanctuary. Each space may be lively, biblically serious and carefully led. Yet weeks can pass without the generations praying together, hearing one another's testimonies or sharing responsibility for the Church's mission.

Age-appropriate ministry is not the problem. Children and young people need language, safeguarding, questions and learning fitted to their development. The problem begins when necessary distinction becomes permanent separation and the Church expects a sequence of programmes to accomplish what Christian community has stopped practising.

At Pentecost, Peter declares the promise of Joel: sons and daughters shall prophesy, young people shall see visions and elders shall dream dreams. The Holy Spirit does not flatten difference. The Spirit gathers generations into one witnessing people.

Pentecostal formation must therefore cross generations. A conference can awaken faith, a youth service can create belonging and a children's ministry can teach Scripture. Durable discipleship also requires a community in which believers of different ages know one another, exchange gifts, test experience, practise service and carry the gospel together.

Believers' Convention 2026 is meeting in Lagos from 9–15 August. Its official programme includes the main convention alongside teen and children's gatherings running from 10–15 August, with teaching and worship also distributed through digital channels.

Every Nation Southern Africa held its Johannesburg campus…