‘Move Beyond Criticism, Become Agents Of Change’ — Pastor Adeboye Urges Youths

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Pastor Enoch Adeboye has called on Christians, particularly young people, to go beyond criticism and protests by becoming solution-providers in society.

Writing in the Open Heavens Daily Devotional of Tuesday, 16 September 2025, under the theme “Mere Critic or Activist with Solutions”, Pastor Adeboye stressed that while criticism has its place, true impact comes from offering tangible answers to the challenges people face.

Citing the biblical example of Elijah, who openly challenged King Ahab but later became God’s instrument in sustaining a widow and her son during famine (1 Kings 17:1–16), he argued that Christians should aspire to such transformative influence.

“Would you rather become a mere critic or an activist whom God will use to put solutions forward?” Pastor Adeboye asked. “Carrying placards and protesting may attract attention, but beyond that, you must grow to a point where you can recommend and even provide the solutions you are demanding.”

Addressing young people in particular, he warned against over zealousness and urged them to embrace wisdom, patience and divine strategy in pursuing change. He drew attention to Matthew 10:16, which admonishes believers to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves,” noting that true effectiveness comes when zeal is matched with knowledge and purposeful action.

“Beloved, be wise,” he wrote. “God has a great destiny for you, but you must not let over zealousness prevent you from fulfilling it. Rather than being a mere noisemaker, increase your capacity so that you can indeed become a force to be reckoned with.”

He concluded with a pointed reminder: “Don’t just criticise things or people; become a part of the solution you desire to see.”