“I will fight for you”: Methodist Girls gather in Ilesa for faith, leadership, purpose

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

The usually serene environment of the Methodist Archdiocese of Ilesa, Osun State, was transformed into a vibrant centre of worship, learning, fellowship and youthful energy from July 30 to August 2, 2026, as hundreds of young women gathered for the maiden South-West Zonal Convention of the Daughters of Wesley and Girls Fellowship, Methodist Church Nigeria.

Held under the theme, “I Will Fight for You”, drawn from Exodus 14:14, the four-day convention brought together young women from different Archdioceses across the South-West for a programme that combined spiritual development, leadership formation, intellectual engagement, competition and fellowship.

For many of the participants, the convention was more than an ecclesiastical gathering. It became an opportunity to rediscover their identity, strengthen their faith and reflect on their responsibilities as young Christian women in a rapidly changing society.

The convention formally commenced with an opening ceremony conducted by His Grace, Most Revd. Dr. Amos Akindeko, who charged the participants to remain steadfast in their Christian faith and embrace the responsibilities that come with godly leadership.

He encouraged the young women to recognise their potential and understand that their faith must influence not only their spiritual lives but also their academic pursuits, relationships, careers and contributions to society.

Throughout the convention, participants engaged in a variety of activities designed to promote spiritual growth, academic excellence, confidence, leadership and personal development.

One of the early highlights was the quiz competition held on Friday, which tested the biblical knowledge and teamwork of participants representing the various Archdioceses.

The competition generated considerable excitement among the delegates and spectators, with participants demonstrating a strong knowledge of Scripture while also displaying teamwork and healthy competition.

Possibility vigil
Friday evening provided one of the most memorable spiritual moments of the convention with the Possibility Vigil, led by Very Revd. Philip Oladosu.

The atmosphere became deeply reflective as participants joined in worship, prayers and heartfelt supplication. The message of the vigil centred on the power of faith and the assurance that situations which appear impossible to human beings remain possible with God.

The participants were reminded that challenges, disappointments and limitations should not become reasons to abandon their faith or dreams.

The vigil reinforced the central message of the convention: that God does not abandon His children in the midst of their battles.

A Generation of Women of Purpose
Delivering the presidential address, Evang. Olubunmi Ade-Adewale, South-West President of the Women’s Fellowship, described the convention as a significant moment in the emergence of a new generation of women grounded in Methodist values and Christian discipleship.

She urged the young women to remain committed to the Word of God, prayer, purpose and unity.

According to her, the biblical assurance that the Lord will fight for His people remains relevant to every generation, particularly young women facing the pressures and uncertainties of contemporary society.

She encouraged the participants not to allow the challenges of their generation to weaken their faith but to see them as opportunities to demonstrate the values they profess.

Building Confidence and Self-Worth
The question of identity and self-worth also received significant attention during the convention.

Deaconess Folorunsho Victoria, in her presentation on building confidence and self-esteem, challenged the participants to understand their worth from God’s perspective rather than allowing societal expectations to determine how they perceive themselves.

Drawing inspiration from Psalm 139:14, she reminded the young women that they were wonderfully made and therefore should not define themselves by popularity, physical appearance, social status or the opinions of others.

She stressed that genuine confidence comes from discovering one’s God-given identity and purpose.

Her message resonated particularly with young women navigating an environment where social media and societal expectations can exert considerable pressure on self-image and personal choices.

Faith amid life’s battles
Deaconess Folasade F. Ogunyemi also addressed the realities of the battles young people encounter in their daily lives.

Her presentation examined challenges ranging from academic pressure and financial difficulties to emotional and spiritual struggles.

She reminded the participants that believers are not alone when confronted with difficult circumstances, stressing that faith remains a powerful weapon against fear, anxiety and discouragement.

The message closely aligned with the convention’s theme, reinforcing the assurance that God remains present even in situations where human beings may feel helpless.

Social Media and Academic Performance
Saturday’s programme shifted between intellectual engagement, spiritual reflection and celebration.

A lecture delivered by Very Revd. Emmanuel Oluwasegun on “The Impact of Social Media on the Academic Performance of a Student” generated considerable interest among the young participants.

He examined both the opportunities and dangers associated with social media, particularly among students.

While acknowledging the potential of digital platforms to provide access to information, networking and educational resources, he cautioned against excessive use and the distractions that could negatively affect academic performance.

He urged the students to exercise discipline and ensure that technology remained a tool for personal and academic development rather than becoming a source of distraction.

Hymns, Choral Speech and Rally
The convention also provided an opportunity for participants to celebrate Methodist heritage through music and creative expression.

A colourful rally added further excitement to the programme, while Archdioceses competed in hymn singing and choral speech presentations.

The performances demonstrated creativity, preparation, teamwork and a deep appreciation of the Methodist tradition.

Participants and spectators responded enthusiastically to the various presentations, creating an atmosphere of joy and fellowship throughout the gathering.

Faith or FOMO?
Another major presentation came from Deaconess Alice Iji, Women’s Work Coordinator of Methodist Church Nigeria, who addressed the participants on the topic, “Faith or FOMO? Choosing God’s Best Over Fear of Missing Out.”

Her message focused on the growing pressure among young people to conform to trends, lifestyles and expectations because they fear being left out.

She encouraged the young women to resist the temptation to compare their lives with those of others and instead trust God’s direction for their individual journeys.

She challenged them to choose faith over pressure and purpose over popularity, stressing that God’s plan for each person cannot be measured by comparison with another person’s journey.

Church leaders encourage young women

Goodwill messages from church leaders further enriched the convention.
Greetings from His Eminence Dr. Oliver Aba, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, conveyed through Rt. Rev’d Dr. Babatunde Abiodun Taiwo, underscored the importance of spiritual growth and commitment to the mission of the Church.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Inyang Okon Effiong offered prayers for deeper faith and discipleship among the young women.

The National President of the Daughters of Wesley and Girls Fellowship, Deaconess Maria Aba, also challenged the participants to prepare themselves for future leadership by remaining firmly rooted in Scripture and Christian values.

Her message reinforced the broader objective of the convention: to raise young women who will not only remain committed members of the Church but also become responsible leaders and positive influences in their families, professions and communities.

A New Chapter for Methodist Girls
The maiden South-West Zonal Convention ended with a strong sense of optimism among participants and organisers.

Beyond the competitions, lectures, worship sessions and fellowship, the gathering provided a platform for young Methodist women to connect with one another, exchange ideas and reflect on their faith and responsibilities.

The successful conclusion of the convention is expected to provide a foundation for future editions and further strengthen the Daughters of Wesley and Girls Fellowship within Methodist Church Nigeria.

For the young women who participated, the message of the four-day gathering extended beyond the walls of the convention venue.

It was a reminder that identity must be rooted in God, confidence must be anchored in purpose, and faith must remain steadfast in the face of life’s uncertainties.

As the final prayers were said and the last hymns were sung, one message remained particularly resonant among the participants:

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

The scripture from Exodus 14:14 thus became more than the theme of a convention. For a generation of young women seeking direction, confidence and purpose, it became a declaration of faith and a renewed assurance that they do not have to face life’s battles alone.