Reporter: Rachael Oke
The Director of Youth Affairs at Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Peter Olanrewaju, PhD, has stressed the importance of a renewed mind for daily victorious living. This was at The Great Easter Retreat 2025 of CACYOF Oke Imole DCC held at Oke Agbara Nla (Power House), Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Taking the second lecture session on Friday, April 18, 2025, on the topic “Victorious Living Through a Renewed Mind,” the Director emphasised the crucial role of the mind in bringing about a victorious life.
Pastor Olanrewaju began by highlighting the mind as the place where reality is conceived, stating that, “every reality you need to have in life must be first seen in your mind before it comes to reality; your worth is the product of how you use your mind. The level of the transformation of your mind determines what your life will attract.”
He stressed that until one’s mind can embrace the victory in Christ Jesus, it cannot be enjoyed.
Citing Proverbs 23:7, he highlighted that many believers have fallen below their divine potential not because victory has not been secured for them, but because their minds have not been renewed to embrace and enforce it.
The Director described an enlightened mind as one which is educated with enough information or education, but does not result in a personal shift. He then gave a biblical perspective of the mind as the seat of reasoning, perception, and decision-making, shaping a person’s beliefs and actions.
According to him, the mindset of a victor is a renewed mind, which is being transformed by the word of God.
Pastor Olanrewaju emphasised the importance of renewing the mind, stating that the mind is the battlefield of victory or defeat.
“Satan does not need to imprison your body. He can imprison your thoughts,” he said.
He referenced 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, noting that one solution to overcome the thoughts of sin is to switch to speaking God’s word whenever the thoughts of sin come.
“The way to capture the thought of God is to give oneself to meditating on His word,” he pointed.
The Director outlined practical steps to renew the mind, including immersing oneself in the Word of God, engaging the power of the Holy Spirit, developing a kingdom mindset, surrounding oneself with positive influences, and exercising self-control.
Highlighting the results of a renewed mind, the Director emphasised that believers are not called to struggle through life as victims of circumstances but to reign as victors through Christ.
“Victory is not a distant dream; it is your divine inheritance,” he said.
The Youth Director attended the retreat programmes of CAC Oke Imole DCC, CAC Mokola DCC, CAC Sango DCC, among others. In the company of the Director was the Secretary, CACYOF Babalola region, Pastor A.A. Daniels; CACYOF Ibadanland Coordinator, Pastor S. O. Okeowo; Prayer Coordinator, CACYOF Ibadanland, Pastor Oluwatobiloba Odedina; and the technological Director of CACYOF Creatives, Mr. Paul Ajadi.
The Easter retreat is one of the annual programs of the Christ Apostolic Church Youth Fellowship, held across CAC DCCs/Zones and District headquarters to mark the season of Easter. This year’s edition is themed “Victory through the Cross”.
