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“Hope Is Not a Strategy” Rev. David Ewagata Urges African Church to Engage the ‘Now Generation’

At the AEA General Assembly in Nairobi, Rev. David Ewagata delivers a powerful call to action for Africa’s Church leaders to rethink youth ministry, digital outreach, and discipleship.

At the 13th General Assembly of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), held in Nairobi on May 23, Rev. David Ewagata issued a compelling challenge to church leaders across the continent: “Hope is not a strategy.”

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Ewagata, a veteran youth pastor and founder of YHub NetworX, warned that Africa’s young population, over 70% of whom are under age 30, is not a guaranteed blessing unless the Church becomes intentional in disciplining them. “A full church today doesn’t guarantee a faithful church tomorrow,” he said.

From Assumption to Action

Framing this era as the “golden age” of the African Church, Ewagata noted its rising influence, global missions, and institutional growth. Yet he cautioned against complacency. “Success builds castles,” he warned, “and with those castles, we forget our mission.”

He identified three major gaps in youth engagement:

Digital Disconnection: While youth spend hours online, churches often remain offline.

Doctrinal Drift: Confusion over morality and biblical truth weakens credibility.

Discipleship Failure: Without intentional investment, a generation may rise that does not know the Lord (Judges 2:10).

“The harvest is online. But the laborers are offline,” he challenged.

Engage the Now Generation

Rejecting the term “next generation,” Ewagata emphasized that young people are the “now generation.”They are already shaping culture and forming beliefs. Churches must stop assuming youth will inherit faith and instead actively pass the baton, with precision, purpose, and urgency.

“And while you might be dying, you could be dying successfully, with budgets, buildings, and conferences.” He warned.

A Roadmap for Change

Rev. Ewagata urged churches to:

Plant youth-led congregations

Invest in youth pastors

Embrace generational differences

Measure transformation, not just attendance

He introduced 7 strategic “I’s” for youth engagement:
Investigate. Identify. Invest. Innovate. Involve. Impact. Initiate.

Integrity Starts at Home

Ewagata concluded with a sobering reminder: the Church’s influence begins in the home. “We’re not failing in the pulpit, we’re failing in the house,” he said, calling on parents and pastors to model what they preach.

Quoting Psalm 145, he reminded the Church of its sacred duty:
“One generation shall commend Your works to another.”

“The next generation is already here. The only question is: are we handing over the baton in time?”

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