For three days, the familiar noise and distractions of everyday life gave way to reflection, learning, fellowship and a deeper search for purpose at the Shere Hills Leadership Centre in Jos.
Here, young people gathered for the 2026 Youth Camp of the Christian Couples Fellowship (CCF), Jos Zone, under a theme that speaks directly to the realities of their generation: “Walking with Christ in a Changing World.”
The camp was more than a retreat. It was an opportunity for the youths to pause, look inward and ask important questions about identity, purpose, faith, the future and their place in a rapidly changing society.
A cross section of couples at the Retreat
Through intensive training, interactive sessions and recreational activities, the three-day programme sought to equip participants with tools for spiritual growth, leadership, financial independence, healthy living and personal development. At the heart of the camp was a simple but profound question:
World Who Am I?
For counsellor Bro. Meshack Alpha, answering that question begins with looking beyond the people around us. In his teaching, “Who Am I?”, he challenged the youths to resist the temptation to measure their worth by comparing themselves with others; a struggle increasingly amplified by social expectations and the pressure to keep up with peers.
He reminded them that identity should not be determined by what others have achieved, what they can or cannot do, or how they appear in comparison with their contemporaries.
“My definition of who I am is not in comparison with others, what they do or what they cannot do. But no matter who or what I think I am, let it be rooted in who God says I am,” he said.
Drawing from the first chapter of the Gospel of John, Bro. Alpha emphasised that every child carries a divine calling. Discovering that calling, he explained, requires intentional self-examination and an understanding of one’s identity in God. For the young participants, the lesson was both spiritual and practical: knowing who you are is an important first step towards knowing where you are going.
Faith Meets Reality
But discovering one’s identity was only part of the conversation. The camp also confronted the economic realities facing young Nigerians, particularly a generation growing up amid rising costs, limited opportunities and an increasingly competitive job market.
The message was clear: formal education remains valuable, but it may no longer be enough on its own. During a session on Financial Independence, Enterprise Coach Mrs. Manya Wala urged the youths to develop practical skills that can translate their abilities and talents into economic opportunities.
She explained that income comes from the value people are able to offer through their skills and talents, encouraging the participants to embrace both formal and informal learning.
Rather than waiting until graduation or employment before thinking about financial independence, she challenged the youths to begin early; learning, experimenting and building skills that could open multiple income streams.
Among the opportunities she highlighted were coding, hairdressing, repairs, tutoring, fashion design and social media management, among others. The message was particularly relevant in a world where the traditional idea of a single career for life is rapidly giving way to flexibility, entrepreneurship and multiple streams of income.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The camp’s lessons were not confined to lecture rooms. Participants engaged in discipleship, leadership training, health talks, games and the Shere Hills Challenge, creating opportunities for learning through interaction, teamwork and shared experiences.
Each activity contributed to the broader objective of the camp; to develop young people who are spiritually grounded, mentally equipped, physically conscious and capable of taking responsibility for their future.
The emphasis on leadership was especially significant. In a world undergoing rapid technological, social and economic transformation, young people are not merely preparing to inherit the future; they are already shaping it. The challenge, therefore, is to ensure that they are adequately equipped to do so.
Walking Into the Future
As the camp drew to a close, the youths left Shere Hills Leadership Centre with more than memories of games, fellowship and three days away from their normal routines. They left with questions to consider, skills to develop and a renewed invitation to understand their identity and purpose in Christ.
The theme, “Walking with Christ in a Changing World,” ultimately became more than a camp slogan. It offered a framework for navigating the uncertainties of the present while looking confidently towards the future.
In a changing world, the young person who knows who they are, understands their God-given purpose, develops useful skills and remains rooted in Christ is better positioned not only to survive the changes ahead, but to make a difference in the world around them.
And perhaps that was the most important lesson of all: the journey into the future begins with knowing who you are and whose you are.