# The cost of the gospel: A story that should humble every generation > A young African pastor's scars reveal the true cost of the gospel. - Title: The cost of the gospel: A story that should humble every… - Summary: A young African pastor's scars reveal the true cost of the gospel. Pastor Joseph's repeated suffering for faith shows the gospel's cost, urging churches to… - Keywords: billy graham, joseph, gospel, christian youth, apostasy, faith, scars, pastor, church, sacrifice, news, politics - Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/opinion/917692-the-cost-of-the-gospel-a-story-that-should-humble-every-generation-1-by-ayo-akerele.html - Author: Ayo Akerele - Published: 2026-10-17T04:09:06+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: billy graham, joseph, gospel, christian youth, apostasy, faith, scars, pastor, church, sacrifice, news, politics ## The Amsterdam conference In July 1986, Dr Billy Graham hosted an international conference in Amsterdam with eight thousand pastors from across Central Africa and over 180 nations. ## Joseph's request Joseph, an evangelist from a remote central african village, asked for a private audience with Dr Graham after the conference. ## Joseph's testimony Joseph shared how he was beaten by villagers after preaching the gospel, surviving three floggings before the village turned to christ. > As a young man, i heard the gospel on a dusty african road, and i responded immediately, trusting jesus christ as my lord and saviour. ## Dr Graham's reaction Dr Graham was visibly shaken when Joseph revealed his scars, saying he was not fit to untie his shoes. > i am not fit to untie his shoes, and he wanted to meet me? ## The cost of faith Joseph endured repeated suffering to share the gospel, showing the true cost of faith that many church leaders today dilute for comfort. > many of us are not even willing to live for jesus, much less die for him. ## The generational crisis Young christians today are spiritually fireless, with many on the brink of apostasy due to church hypocrisy. > and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the lord. ## The church's future The future of the church in africa depends on young people who can carry the fire of the gospel without compromise. > now the sons of eli were corrupt; they did not know the lord. ## The warning Church leaders face a crisis as young people abandon faith due to disillusionment with church leaders. > the fall of turkey into the hands of radical islamists proves that there is no guarantee that the church will always survive in every nation. ## The call to action Church leaders must urgently repair the broken walls of the gospel to prevent widespread apostasy among young people. > the fathers are ageing. the children are aching. ## The current state Many young christians today are spiritually fireless, with little meaningful connection to authentic christian faith. > they can organise grand programmes but can rarely agonise in genuine prayer. ## The generational gap The church faces a generational crisis as young people increasingly reject the faith they were taught. > they can feast lavishly but can rarely fast sincerely. ## The stakes Without urgent action, the church in africa will lose its influence as young people turn to apostasy and atheism. > the influence of the church will be obliterated with reckless speed. ## The solution Church leaders must gather to repair the broken walls of the gospel and restore faith among young people. > the fathers of this generation do not urgently congregate a solemn assembly to repair the broken walls of the gospel. ## The author Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and founder of Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. ## Key takeaway Pastor Joseph's repeated suffering for faith shows the gospel's cost, urging churches to avoid diluting it for comfort.