By Bellah Zulu, ACNS

Youth leaders in the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) have begun a training of trainers programme to equip Sunday school teachers and youth workers in the Province with the necessary leadership skills.

One of the organisers for the trainings Fr Robert Sihubwa told ACNS, “As much as the Church has large numbers of youth in the parishes, they lack empowered youth leadership. It has been observed that most teachers in Sunday school are not trained and supervised in their work.”

The training, which is the first of the many others that will be conducted around the Province, was held in the Zimbabwean town of Kwekwe in the Diocese of Central Zimbabwe February 20 to 23.

“We managed to launch the trainings in Central Zimbabwe hosting Youth leaders and Sunday school teachers from the whole country,” he said. “Earlier, we held a very successful consultative meeting with Diocesan Bishop Ishmael Mukuwanda, his five Archdeacons, the Dean of the Cathedral and the Vicar General.”

The meeting brought together 36 participants from Zimbabwe who are expected to go and conduct similar trainings in their Archdeaconries. Similar trainings will be conducted for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi within the next few months.

Bishop of Central Zimbabwe Ishmael Mukuwanda and his Archdeacons affirmed that ministry to young people “needs to be at the centre of the Church's focus practically, and that the diocese will avail updated curricula to children.”

He said however that young people must be taught and encouraged to play a key role in financing their own programs. He also emphasised the need for the Church to be relevant to the needs and aspirations of young people.

The organisers expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the contribution and participation of the diocesan leadership. “The fact that such a high powered delegation could gather for such a meeting made a statement in itself. The Provincial youth office remains grateful for such encouraging gestures,” said Fr Sihubwa.

The course covered a wide range of topics including strategic planning, child evangelism, youth and church culture and the environment. Others lessons were in Sunday school place organisation, lesson planning, and basics in child development.