17/04/2026
APOSTOLIC CHURCH LAUNCHES ‘GOT TALENT’ INITIATIVE AT NATIONAL YOUTH RETREAT, UNVEILS FIRST BENEFICIARY
…as National Youth Leader/SSA to Governor aligns youth empowerment drive with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Vision
A major highlight of the ongoing 2026 National Youth Leadership Retreat of The Apostolic Church Nigeria was the official unveiling of the “Apostolic Church Got Talent” initiative, an ambitious platform designed to discover, nurture, and project young talents for gospel impact and youth empowerment.
The initiative, which launched at the Maritime Territorial Headquarters, Somiari-Ama, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the retreat’s structured activities. With Territorial Youth Leaders from across the country in attendance, the atmosphere reflected both spiritual depth and strategic intent as the Church intensified its focus on youth development and creative expression.
The initiative was unveiled by the National Youth Leader of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Apostle Barr. Samuel B. Inyang, who also serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Christian Youth Matters. He described the programme as a deliberate effort to harness youthful creativity for kingdom advancement through structured talent discovery, development, and deployment.
He explained that the vision goes beyond entertainment, emphasizing that it is designed to raise a generation of gospel voices who will use their gifts as instruments of evangelism, transformation, and societal influence. “This initiative is about identifying and nurturing kingdom talents. We are raising young people whose gifts will not only bless the Church but also impact society positively and draw men to Christ,” he stated.
In a notable alignment, he linked the initiative to the broader youth empowerment philosophy of Governor Umo Eno, particularly the ARISE Agenda, noting that both faith-based and governmental efforts can work in synergy to equip young people for productivity, creativity, and purposeful living.
A defining moment of the event was the presentation of the first beneficiary, a young Akwa Ibom born female talent Miss Gift Ekpedeme whose announcement drew emotional reactions from the congregation. Overwhelmed with joy, she broke down in tears, visibly moved by the opportunity and recognition. “I am deeply grateful for this privilege. By the grace of God, I will not disappoint” she said.
To ensure immediate implementation, a committee was inaugurated and tasked with driving the initiative forward without delay. The committee will be headed by the National Youth Choir Director, James Edo Udo, alongside Apostolic gospel music artiste Ransome Stephens, who are expected to provide both structural oversight and industry expertise.
Their mandate includes talent identification, grooming, production of musical content, and coordination of all activities under the initiative. As part of its initial rollout, the programme will produce a collective gospel album featuring selected talents from across the Church, with production expected to commence immediately after the retreat.
The launch of “Apostolic Church Got Talent” marks a significant milestone in the youth movement, reinforcing the Church’s commitment to raising a generation that is spiritually grounded, creatively expressive, and socially impactful. It also reflects a growing synergy between faith-based initiatives and broader youth empowerment frameworks such as the ARISE Vision, aimed at equipping young people for relevance in both ministry and society.