GRII seeks to reshape youths’ thought processes, takes summit to Lagos

From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

Grace Relief Initiative International (GRII) recently held a youth summit in Lagos aimed at reshaping young people’s thinking toward purpose, excellence and godly living.

The summit, themed “Creating a New Mindset for Greatness,” took place at Leaders Church International, Ogba, Lagos, and featured a practical workshop, group discussions and interactive question-and-answer sessions.

Speaking as the guest speaker, Mr. Korede Akindele emphasised that greatness begins with wisdom, describing the wisdom of God as the foundation for a successful and impactful life. He noted that wisdom is not accidental but must be deliberately pursued through prayer, study, meditation and righteous living.

According to him, salvation remains the fundamental base of divine wisdom, stressing that true Christianity is reflected in character and the fruit of the Spirit, particularly love, peace and joy. He warned against superficial expressions of faith, urging participants to examine their lives and allow spiritual growth to translate into daily conduct.

Akindele also highlighted the importance of the Spirit of Wisdom, citing biblical examples such as Daniel, Joseph and Jesus Christ, whose wisdom distinguished them and brought divine favour. He encouraged youths to learn patiently, seek mentorship, study the Word of God and observe the lives of people God has used, rather than seeking quick success.

During the practical sessions, participants explored key questions such as “What is mindset?” and “What is greatness?” Facilitators explained that mindset refers to internal beliefs that shape reality, while greatness is not a single event but the result of consistent patterns of thinking and daily discipline.

Quoting Romans 12:2, participants were reminded that transformation comes through the renewing of the mind, with discussions centred on self-awareness, overcoming limiting beliefs, personal growth, relationships, career choices, purpose, spirituality and the influence of social media.

In one of the activities, participants were asked to write down a limiting belief and consciously replace it with a positive affirmation, reinforcing the idea that lasting change begins internally.

Summarising the outcomes of the group discussions, Pastor Oluwaseun Babatunde said the summit revealed that mindset can either become a stronghold or a springboard. He shared testimonies from participants who committed to positive changes, including rejecting violence and harassment, embracing honesty, becoming less judgmental, focusing more on education, spiritual growth and personal discipline.

He explained that when individuals convert limitations arising from background, exposure and experiences into learning opportunities, and align themselves with the right community and knowledge, greatness becomes achievable layer by layer.

Also speaking, the President of GRII and General Overseer of Leaders Church International, Apostle Israel Eledan, described the programme as impactful, noting a visible shift in focus and perspective among participants. He commended the interactive workshop format, which allowed youths to question biases and rethink their beliefs.

Apostle Eledan expressed optimism that the summit would become an annual event with a ripple effect that would positively influence communities and the nation at large.

The host pastor, Pastor Chris Daniel, said the summit empowered participants to take responsibility for their destinies, stressing that greatness is determined by personal choices and mindset rather than external circumstances.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Vice-President of GRII, Rev. Grace Eledan, explained that the summit was designed to uproot destructive beliefs planted from childhood and replace them with values that promote national development and godly leadership.

She lamented the effects of poverty and wrong mindsets on society, warning against shortcuts to success and the commercialisation of ministry. Rev. Eledan called on youths to embrace responsibility, diligence and service, noting that the initiative seeks to raise future leaders for the nation, the church and the business world.

The summit ended with prayers for renewed minds, clarity of purpose, courage to replace limiting beliefs and strength to pursue greatness daily.