“Adam, Where Are You?” WAD Summit Calls Men to Break the Burden of Silence
“Adam, Where Are You?” WAD Summit Calls Men to Break the Burden of Silence
[Photo: Pastor Leonard Johnson, General Conference Vice President]
_“Strength is not pretending that all is well,” delegates told at Babcock University_
BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, Nigeria — July 5, 2026 — In a world where the stereotypes have firmly entrenched the narrative that real men don't cry, men have been challenged to reject silence, shame, and isolation and return to God. This came up during a candid message at the West African Division Bible Conference and Leadership Summit in Babcock University.
While speaking on Pastoral Families, Pastor Leonard Johnson, General Conference Vice President, addressed the issue of “Men and the Burden of Silence."
He told delegates, “Strength is not pretending that all is well.”
Drawing from Genesis 3:9, he said the church must face the reality of God’s question to Adam: “Where are you? Which according to him was one of reflection on present reality rather than one of location.
"Sometimes we don’t want the world to know what we are going through. People look up to us leaders. If you’re not careful, you can be sucked with other burdens” he warned.
“A fall doesn’t just happen. It is a gradual drifting. When we get disconnected from the source, we become vulnerable.”
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His message stressed on the need to recognise one's vulnerability, the power of time with family.
Key Biblical Insights Shared
- 1. God Searches, Even When We Hide: “Adam is hiding but we find God searching. God is interested in us.” The speaker noted that God did not only ask Adam a question, He also provided a solution through the promise of a deliverer who would crush the head of the serpent.
- Presence Over Proximity: Addressing families directly, he said, "Presence is not proximity. You can be in the home and not be present, “he said.
He urged men to stop hiding from God or shifting blame.
- Grace Without Excuse “God will not abandon you. He loves us just the way we are, but He refuses to leave us the way we are,” he stated. He also addressed women reminding them that men are sometimes discouraged but because of ego, they don’t speak up.”
- Example Precedes Instruction: The message highlighted God’s initiative: “Our examples precede our instructions. God set up a tabernacle so that He will be with us.”
A Call to Action
"God’s question: ‘Where are you?’ is a call to action, to recognize our relationship with Him,” the presenter concluded. “Let’s not hide from God,” he said.
Summit Context
The message was delivered during the WAD Bible Conference and Leadership Summit*, themed “Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission,” held at Babcock University, June 28 – July 5, 2026. The Summit gathered pastors, elders, and ministry leaders across the West African Division.
About the WAD Bible Conference and Leadership Summit
The Summit is a quinquennial gathering to deepen biblical understanding, strengthen leadership, and align the church in West Africa for mission.
Josephine Akarue
Deputy Director of Babcock University’s
Department of Communication, Media and Branding
