In this Interview today, we speak with Dolapo Tirimisiyu, founder of the Catch Them Young (CTY) Movement. He shares about his life, walk with God and the beautiful work at CTY Movement.
1. Can We Meet You?
Guest: My name is Dolapo Tirimisiyu, born on the 12th of May. I originated from Oyo state (Ibadan precisely) and beautifully, the last born of the family. I graduated from Osun State University and I am currently not married.
2. Kindly tell us more about what you do
Guest: I studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management and along the line, I developed a special interest in Personnel Training and Development also known as Human Capital Development.
I see a lot of potential in people and most times, what I also see is how to help them refine it so that it will benefit not just them but everyone around them. So, I am a human trainer as well as project manager.
3. You founded the CTY movement. Can you share its mission, vision, and objectives?
Guest: CTY Movement is coined from the popular phrase, "CATCH THEM YOUNG" and the idea is to develop tactics to secure the "subject" at an early stage and to educate them till they come to the point of clarity and conviction.
CTY points to the 3 focus groups: C - Children T - Teenagers and Y-Youth.
The vision of CTY Movement is to equip children, teenagers, and youth with the tools (words, skill, assistance etc) that they need for a successful future by focusing on spiritual growth, academic excellence, strong moral foundation, and discovering and maximizing their potential."
Mission: It is to provide children, teenagers, and youth with the guidance, and opportunities they need for personal, academic, and spiritual success. We strive to create a well-rounded community of young people who are equipped to make a positive impact on the world around them.
Our goal is to ensure that every young individual, regardless of their background, has access to the resources they need to thrive.
4. How long has the CTY movement been in operation, and when did you first conceive the vision? What sparked your passion for nurturing children and youths in their faith?
Guest: I have been involved in Children and Teenagers Evangelism for a while (2014) and it all began when I read the testimony of a couple in America who are Children Pastors (They have a church but choose to stay with the children, Teenagers and Youth). They said many ministries today seem to be like a medicine to damage destiny but the children's ministry is the ministry that reaches out to the young ones at the earliest stage even before they fall into any entanglement.
I really felt pained when I see the young ones commit the same error the ones before them committed. And I want to ensure that I help them with my experience.
However CTY as a Movement started about 3 years ago as a result of my desire to be more proactive. I noticed that once the young ones graduate out of their class, it seems as though they are no longer under the control of the teachers and they are no longer accountable to anyone. CTY Movement therefore began as a movement that holds both party accountable through active participation and commitment.
5. What challenges did you face when starting the movement, and what stage is it currently at?
Guest: Initially, it was access. Most churches, schools, parents, fellowship etc didn't want to grant us access to the children, Teenagers and Youth. The perception often is that we are one of those ministries that wants secede and we want to steal their members to start our own church. But over time and by the the help of God, we overcome that.
Currently, however, the challenge is time. There are things that are time bound and their planning and clearance for execution take time. For every single minute we delay, it becomes harder for us to catch them while they are still young (not just by age but also by exposure).
6. How do you balance your responsibilities as a leader with your everyday life, and what strategies help you cope with the demands of caring for the souls of these young people?
Guest: It has not been easy but God has been helping. We surround ourselves and move together as accountability partners.
One of the strategies is that we plan long ahead. A program that we need to execute in November is currently being discussed and we leave room for any sudden changes. Early planning and accountability is what we have enjoyed greatly at CTY Movement.
7. Every success has a story. Have you faced criticism or rejection in your journey with the CTY movement? Can you share a specific experience.
Guest: To be honest, we've had little to no rejection. The ones that we faced at the initial stage were moments when people questioned our credibility and intentions. Some had claimed we were overambitious and not coordinated. Some had questioned what authority we have to start a movement. But all in all, CTY as a whole has faced little criticism or rejection.
8. How did you handle the rejection, and what lessons did you learn from the experience? What helped you stay put during that challenging season?
Guest: During those moments, we lay low but we were moving quietly. When we get to a place that we were rejected, we reached out to other places where we were accepted. But we ensured that those people that rejected us has an inside view to what we are doing (No secrecy). Though it seems we were slow but steadily, we are gaining grounds and gaining their trusts and God is giving us access in those places.
9. In what ways would you say the CTY movement has contributed to the growth and development of the body of Christ?
Guest: At CTY Movement, we are just a speck of the whole. However, we believe we are relevant in the grand scheme of God.
By God's instructions, we organized a leadership meeting once every session for students executives and anyone interested in understanding spiritual leadership tagged: PORTER'S HAND LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (PHLC) and the aim is to equip them to understand how to rightly groom and lead souls around them into the realities of God for their life.
Likewise we organized Destiny Campaign where we go to schools for awareness on purpose and destiny related discussions.
We engage in evangelism and discipleship but if you ask me, I really don't think we have done enough for the body of Christ. This year, we hope to have a record of at least 300 standing souls and we want to do it for 3 years. Maybe by then, we can say we have made any impact but right now, we are still trusting God for help.
10. What are your plans and aspirations for the CTY movement over the next five years? How do you envision the children and youths involved in the movement growing and developing during this time?
Guest: We want to be intentional and more intense with real evangelism and discipleship. The slogan of CTY Movement is "Win One, Win All", meaning if we can win one child, we have won everything related to that child include the friends and family.
We trust God that in the next 5 years, we would have achieved that.
And also, in the next 5 years, CTY Movement has plan to assist in not just spiritual but academic support and holistic development. We want to be practically involved in everything that will make it possible for these young ones to be reachable for God either through us or other brethren and we covet your prayers.
11. What advice would you give to believers who feel called and led with a vision to start a movement like to yours?
Guest: Forget the gleams and glamour. Be intentional about result. I remember looking at the name CTY Movement and the Lord asked me, "are you truly moving men or you are just moving about?"
If the Lord calls you, His expectation is not the accolades people give you but the results you give Him. Please leave your ring light aside and be intentional about impact. Pray intensely, there are oppositions but God will help us through.
12. Did you hold any leadership positions during your university days? If so, can you share about your experiences?
Guest: Yes, I was a Technical Coordinator while on campus (The Polytechnic,Ibadan) but I went to school from my church when I was at Uniosun and I was appointed to be the Chapel Coordinator.
Well at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, my nickname was "Up NEPA" or "who off Mic?"
We didn't have a permanent fellowship center, we were using various classrooms. The technical unit had to move the instruments to and fro the store per service. So, I joined the technical team to assist them move the engines, generators and the drum sets. Eventually, I was made the coordinator of the unit at the handing over though I had no experience.
During most services, the generator would go off and I won't know why. Sometimes, it could be the microphone. I didn't know what to do so I resolved to prayer. I compelled my unit members to attend every pre-service prayer and gradually, God helped us through.
13. How did your leadership experiences in university shape or prepare you for life?
Guest: I learnt to think outside the box and also provide solution on the spot.
We had many unconventional challenges that required immediate solutions and everyone expected that I should be the one to give the solution. It was a great leadership trait that I have come to enjoy over time.
14. It is said that a vision that wants to go far must have a mentor who shares the same view as the visionary. Do you have a mentor who shares your vision and values? If so, can you tell us about their influence on your life and ministry?
Guest: I am currently part of Destiny Development Initiative (DDI), a group directed by Dr. Bibilari Adewusi and we are all under Daddy Segun Oduyebo and it's under these 2 great men that I am garnering insight on how to make CTY Movement a force to reckon with.
Also, I am the Director of Programs at Word of Light Ministry (WOLIM) by Barrister Sonaike Abiodun Samuel since 2012 and we've been going for secondary school evangelism. Barrister Samuel took me as a key player in his ministry and gave me lots of leading that has influenced who I am currently even when I had no form.
15. What spiritual practices help you stay grounded and motivated, even on challenging days?
Guest: Prayer to God and reading of biographies and autobiographies. I love to read the story of people who had gone before me to learn how they navigated through hard terrains of life and ministry. One of those kind of books I love to read is Failing Forward by John Maxwell.
16. Is there a message or encouragement you'd like to share with Christians around the world?
Guest: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out [the pure metal for] a vessel for the silversmith [to shape]." Proverbs 25:2-4 AMP.
The Emphasis is about God and the King. God delights in concealing matters of great importance. There's nothing of value that is left on the shallow surface. A man's delight and relevance is in the fact that he could bring out that which is hidden! If it is of value, it is deeply buried (preserved).
Your relevance is to discover the covered lots. Verse 3 says it takes a broad and deep heart to however do that.
Man living on earth, roaming around must ensure to deal with thing he meets with that could distracts him from being broad and deep. A broad and a deep heart is a must for every King that wants to discover and be fashioned into that which God has prepared for him.
The bottom line; I just want to encourage you to dig deeper! You are a King. Keep going till you craft your own uniqueness. E go soon make sense.
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