23 Jan 2026, 16:23Blandine DamtseGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow Youth Seminar Focuses on Identity and Intergenerational Connection
Empowering Glasgow youth to live out their God-given identity, Pastor Njay Ndlovu called on churches to nurture intergenerational communities and strengthen mission.
As the Glasgow church looks ahead to major youth gatherings, including the Trans-European Division Youth Congress – ‘Made for More’ (4–9 August) and the BUC Pathfinder Camporee (28 July–2 August), Pastor Njay Ndlovu, Youth Ministries Director for the British Union Conference (BUC), made a timely visit to the city. He encouraged young people to attend these key events and delivered a powerful message on youth identity, bridging generations, and mission.
The one-day youth seminar featured a vibrant Sabbath School programme and a thought-provoking sermon, alongside uplifting praise and worship and special musical performances by the youth, creating a meaningful space for reflection and spiritual engagement. The Sabbath School session explored the experiences of first- and second-generation immigrants, emphasising the importance of understanding cultural transitions and learning from earlier generations who settled in the UK, particularly those who arrived in the 1960s. Pastor Ndlovu underscored that cultivating a strong, God-centred identity in young people is vital for fostering healthy families and advancing the church’s mission.
During his sermon titled ‘Critical Foundation’, Pastor Ndlovu affirmed that every young person matters and is born with a purpose grounded in a God-given identity. Inspired by Revelation 4 and 5, he presented God as both Creator and Redeemer, explaining that this holistic understanding of God shapes personal worth, relationships, leadership, parenting, and mission. He encouraged a relational approach within families and churches, where children are heard, valued, and included, helping to bridge generational gaps and strengthen communities.
Drawing on insights from his Doctor of Ministry research, Pastor Ndlovu reflected on his own experience as a first-generation immigrant raising second-generation children, sharing the lessons he had learned along the way. He also expressed gratitude to members of Glasgow Church who participated in the research, acknowledging their valuable contribution.
Addressing the challenges facing today’s youth—including social media pressures, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and global conflict—Pastor Ndlovu urged young people to anchor their identity in God’s Word, rather than allowing external influences to define their worth.
The visit concluded with a call for churches to invest intentionally in young people and to cultivate intergenerational, relational communities where every individual is valued and equipped for mission. Young attendees described the seminar as uplifting, leaving them feeling appreciated and encouraged.
Empowering Glasgow youth to live out their God-given identity, Pastor Njay Ndlovu called on churches to nurture intergenerational communities and strengthen mission.
As the Glasgow church looks ahead to major youth gatherings, including the Trans-European Division Youth Congress – ‘Made for More’ (4–9 August) and the BUC Pathfinder Camporee (28 July–2 August), Pastor Njay Ndlovu, Youth Ministries Director for the British Union Conference (BUC), made a timely visit to the city. He encouraged young people to attend these key events and delivered a powerful message on youth identity, bridging generations, and mission.
The one-day youth seminar featured a vibrant Sabbath School programme and a thought-provoking sermon, alongside uplifting praise and worship and special musical performances by the youth, creating a meaningful space for reflection and spiritual engagement. The Sabbath School session explored the experiences of first- and second-generation immigrants, emphasising the importance of understanding cultural transitions and learning from earlier generations who settled in the UK, particularly those who arrived in the 1960s. Pastor Ndlovu underscored that cultivating a strong, God-centred identity in young people is vital for fostering healthy families and advancing the church’s mission.
During his sermon titled ‘Critical Foundation’, Pastor Ndlovu affirmed that every young person matters and is born with a purpose grounded in a God-given identity. Inspired by Revelation 4 and 5, he presented God as both Creator and Redeemer, explaining that this holistic understanding of God shapes personal worth, relationships, leadership, parenting, and mission. He encouraged a relational approach within families and churches, where children are heard, valued, and included, helping to bridge generational gaps and strengthen communities.
Drawing on insights from his Doctor of Ministry research, Pastor Ndlovu reflected on his own experience as a first-generation immigrant raising second-generation children, sharing the lessons he had learned along the way. He also expressed gratitude to members of Glasgow Church who participated in the research, acknowledging their valuable contribution.
Addressing the challenges facing today’s youth—including social media pressures, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and global conflict—Pastor Ndlovu urged young people to anchor their identity in God’s Word, rather than allowing external influences to define their worth.
The visit concluded with a call for churches to invest intentionally in young people and to cultivate intergenerational, relational communities where every individual is valued and equipped for mission. Young attendees described the seminar as uplifting, leaving them feeling appreciated and encouraged.
