Pass faith, values to Gen Z, Bishop Gamanywa tells Tanzanians

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S future will not be secured by economic growth alone, but by the values, faith and moral principles passed on to the next generation, retired Pentecostal leader Bishop Sylvester Gamanywa has said.

He urged Tanzanians to make intentional efforts to prepare Generation Z for leadership and nation-building by equipping them with strong moral foundations, patriotism, responsibility and spiritual guidance.

Bishop Gamanywa made the remarks after returning from the Jerusalem Summit 2026 in Israel, where he represented Tanzania in discussions involving evangelical leaders, scholars and development experts from across the world.

According to him, one of the summit’s strongest messages was that the older generation has a responsibility to leave behind more than wealth, property and institutions.

It must also pass on wisdom, ethical leadership, life experience and spiritual values that can help young people navigate a rapidly changing world.

He said participants at the summit expressed concern over the growing gap between the Boomer Generation and Generation Z, driven by technological advancement, social media influence, changing cultural norms and differing worldviews.

While acknowledging that Generation Z has unprecedented access to education, information and technology, Bishop Gamanywa noted that many young people are also facing increasing pressures related to identity, morality, social media influence and weakening family and spiritual structures.

“The greatest challenge facing Generation Z is not simply the lack of education or economic opportunities. It is the growing moral decline affecting societies around the world,” he said.

He called on parents, religious leaders, teachers, media institutions and policymakers to work together in shaping a generation capable of making responsible decisions and preserving national values.

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Bishop Gamanywa stressed that faith and moral values should remain central in preparing future leaders.

“As the Boomer Generation, we are not called only to pass wealth to our young people. We are called to pass on the Holy Faith of the Bible, good moral values and the Power of the Holy Spirit. This is the legacy that will enable them to stand strong and overcome the growing moral crisis facing our nation and the world,” he said.

He further emphasized that the strength of a nation should be measured not only by economic indicators but also by its ability to raise citizens who are morally upright, patriotic, responsible and committed to the common good.

The bishop said Tanzania is well positioned to become a model for intergenerational cooperation in Africa if deliberate efforts are made to strengthen understanding and collaboration between older and younger generations.

Drawing lessons from the Jerusalem Summit, he concluded that the most valuable inheritance any generation can leave behind is not material wealth but faith, character and moral conviction.

“The greatest legacy we can leave to the next generation is the Holy Faith of the Bible, good moral values and the Power of the Holy Spirit. This is the foundation for building a generation capable of leading Tanzania toward peace, justice and sustainable development,” he said.