“Take Life Seriously” – Pastor Otabil Challenges the Youth of Ghana

Teshie-Accra, Ghana.

During the Anointing Service on the fifth evening of the Greater Works 2024 Conference, held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at ICGC Christ Temple East in Teshie-Accra, Pastor Mensa Otabil delivered a powerful and inspiring message to the youth of Ghana. His remarks were a clarion call to young people to take their lives seriously and seize the opportunities before them.

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“You are 17 years, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. It’s your time. It’s your season,” Pastor Otabil began, emphasizing the urgency and potential of youth. He urged them not to wait until they were older to begin making significant changes in their lives and communities. “Don’t wait to be old to begin. Don’t let somebody say you are rushing. You are too young. You don’t have experience. Daniel did not have experience. David did not have experience. But God used them anyway, anyhow.”

Pastor Otabil’s message was clear: the youth of Ghana should not be discouraged by their lack of experience but should instead trust that God will magnify their efforts. “God is going to take your steps and magnify your steps and he will do mighty things with you,” he declared. He challenged the youth to be the solution to the problems they see in their society. “If we say the elders of Africa have failed, then the youth show us something new. Build something better. Do something greater. Build better businesses.”

One of the most poignant parts of his speech addressed the negative influences and examples that young people often encounter. “Don’t follow the bad examples you see. Be a new example. If you go to politics, don’t be used as a foot soldier. Fighting somebody’s battle. Killing people. Beating people. Just because of 20 cedis and 30 cedis and a plate of food you must eat,” he admonished. Pastor Otabil warned against being exploited and manipulated, urging young people to recognize their worth and potential. “Your life is precious. Don’t let people load you into trucks like cargo to go for campaign because of t-shirts. Your life is worth more than that.”

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He also highlighted the importance of personal development and education. “Go get some education. Go build yourself. Develop your talent. Develop your skills. Don’t be foolish. Don’t make foolish choices because God says I am doing a new thing,” Pastor Otabil said, stressing that with God’s new plan for their lives, they must be prepared and ready to act wisely.

Pastor Otabil’s message wasn’t just about avoiding negative behaviors; it was also about embracing a vision for a better future. “May God raise young men and women of vision,” he prayed. He emphasized that the youth are world changers and kingdom builders. “You are the David. You are the Daniel. You are the Esther. You are the World Changers. You are the Kingdom Builders. You are the Factory Builders.”

In his concluding remarks, Pastor Otabil recounted his own journey of starting ICGC before he was 25 years old. “I started ICGC before I was 25 years. I was 24 and a half. Took on the challenge to start a church. Took on the challenge to lead people. Took on the challenge not to be foolish. To be serious. To take life seriously.” He urged young people to mature and rise to the challenges ahead of them, just as David did when he faced Goliath at the age of 17.

Pastor Otabil’s passionate and heartfelt message to the youth of Ghana at the Greater Works 2024 Conference serves as a powerful reminder of the potential and importance of the younger generation. His call to take life seriously, avoid negative influences, and embrace a vision for a better future is a timely and crucial message for the youth of today. “God is doing a new thing in your life,” he concluded, leaving the youth with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.