The Diocese of Lokoja Anglican Communion Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild gathered at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Lokoja, for their annual Diocesan Conference hosted by Lokoja Archdeaconry. With the theme “Raising a Godly Generation” (Psalm 78:5–7; Matthew 19:14), the event opened with a solemn Holy Eucharist service before unfolding into a rich program of teaching, exposition, …
The Diocese of Lokoja Anglican Communion Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild gathered at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Lokoja, for their annual Diocesan Conference hosted by Lokoja Archdeaconry. With the theme “Raising a Godly Generation” (Psalm 78:5–7; Matthew 19:14), the event opened with a solemn Holy Eucharist service before unfolding into a rich program of teaching, exposition, Bible study, exhibitions, and group discussions.
The atmosphere was reflective yet urgent, as clergy and laity wrestled with the challenges of parenting in a rapidly changing society.
A Sacred Mandate
Supervising priest of the Archdeaconry, Venerable Kadiri, set the tone with a stirring sermon. He reminded participants that child-rearing is not merely a private duty but a sacred, collective mandate.
“To raise means to nurture someone to grow so they can fit meaningfully into society,” he said. “Raising a generation is a collective responsibility. We are expected to teach our children God’s commands so that the generations to come will know Him and pass that legacy onward.”
Warning Against Cultural Drift
Kadiri lamented the erosion of communal responsibility in discipline, contrasting traditional parenting with modern practices. Citing Judges 2:10, he warned against producing a generation that “knew not the Lord.”
“In times past, the entire community joined hands to raise a child,” he observed. “Today, the reverse is true. Parents who were properly brought up themselves are often the ones attacking teachers trying to discipline their children. Raising a godly generation must once again become everyone’s concern.”
Three Pillars of Parenting
Kadiri’s sermon outlined three dimensions of intentional parenting:
– Raising a Generation is a Command
From Deuteronomy 6:5–9, he emphasized that godly instruction is a divine directive. Fathers and mothers share complementary roles, and children grounded in scripture — like Ruth or the Hebrew youths in Babylon — stand firm against compromise.
– Raising a Generation is a Pattern
Drawing on the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:6), he stressed that discipline must be consistent and demonstrable. Parents cannot give what they do not live.
– Raising a Generation has a Goal
The ultimate aim is resilient, morally sound individuals who positively impact society.
A Call to Action
Kadiri closed with a passionate appeal:
“We must become genuinely concerned and ready to labor intentionally over our young ones. When we raise godly children, they become mighty soldiers for God and society.”
The conference left participants with a renewed sense of urgency — that in an age of cultural drift and digital distractions, raising a godly generation is not optional but essential for the survival of faith and community.
