…a Christian institution offering training & support programmes to empower youths and the destitute
FIRST Assembly of God’s ‘Generation Next’, a premier Christian academic institution that offers technical and vocational training for young people, last Friday held its third annual graduation exercise, when 57 young women and men graduated with skills for success.
Of the graduating batch, 36 were awarded certificates in Information Technology, seven in Electrical Wiring and Installation,  three in Woodworking,  six in Cookery and two in Floral Arrangements.
That has now brought to 318 the total number of persons graduating in these four subject areas since the school first opened its doors in September 2008, with an initial batch of  94 students. 
Along with the Technical and Vocational Training, the students have also benefited from  seminars on Hygiene, Food Preservation, HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
Generation Next is a multifaceted, community-based facility that offers training, recreation and support programmes to empower mainly children, youth and the destitute.
With a focus on youth empowerment, the institution, owned and operated by the First Assembly of God Church, at L&P D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was the brainchild of  Senior Pastor, Reverend Raphael Massiah.
His vision is that access to formal education which would adequately prepare and make them marketable in a competitive commercial environment, should be within the reach of all young people, and that none should be precluded on the basis of being financially challenged.
For this reason, the training programmes being delivered, by eight skilled and qualified facilitators, are offered at incredibly low fees.  The tutors, all members of the Church, offer their services throughout the academic year, on a voluntary basis.
Moreover, in an environment where the expansion of church buildings to cater for larger congregations seems to be the norm, First Assembly of God has made prioritized investing in a facility that would serve to develop the minds of the youth in society and help them realize their God-given potential.
The way in which the programmes and extra-curricular activities are shaped takes into consideration that the Church takes a holistic approach to administering to the needs of the person.
Germane to all that’s done, it places a high premium on the education of young people, particularly since, without education and empowerment, young people can become vulnerable and fall prey to the many distractions and ills in society.
The institution’s vision is   to facilitate purposeful living through the development of skills and abilities in a nurturing environment.
It’s mission is to empower members of the communities through training, recreation and developmental programmes, to realize their potential to meaningfully contribute to society
The objectives are:            
* The provision of high quality community programmes, by trained, caring professionals
* To develop and enhance the talents, skills and abilities of children through educational, recreational and life skills programmes.
In broad outline, Generation Next is working actively towards providing life-changing  programmes designed to maximize potential and facilitate positive long term changes in the lives of individuals and families in the target communities.  To this end, it is designed to offer:
* State of the art computer laboratories
* Professional, academic, remedial and life skills training
* Career mentorship
* Well-equipped skills training facilities; studio facilities and recreational facilities
* Kitchen and feeding centre, and
* Medical outreach/health care
IT programmes range from basic computer competence required to function in today’s school and work environments, to complex programmes such as web page development, and design programmes  for those seeking to develop professional careers.
Administrator Deaconess Carlotta Dodson, in her brief remarks at the graduation ceremony, said the facility offers an opportunity for instilling confidence in the young people entering its doors, making them feel good about themselves and preparing them to move on to becoming useful citizens.
To the proud and smartly attired graduating class, she said, “Let this not be the end, but only a stepping stone, as you move on to higher heights.” She said she was impressed with the potential shown by students generally, and urged them to go resolutely after other opportunities for elevating themselves.
The feature address was delivered by Lt. Colonel Wilbert Lee of the Guyana Defence Force, who is also an Assistant Pastor of First Assembly of God Church.  A soldier of more than 30 years, Colonel Lee, with a wealth of experience is various disciplines, congratulated the graduates on  their accomplishment and proceeded to offer words of advice.
He stressed the importance of discipline and team work – values instilled in him 30 years ago in joining the army, and which have contributed immensely to the success he has achieved in his career and life generally.
And offering a blue print for success, followed by him as a soldier and which proved to bring about an incredible measure of success, Colonel Lee urged the graduates to:
* Identify what they want to make their lifetime achievement; keep focused on what they intend to achieve and not be easily distracted by the many issues of life
* Have self-confidence (a quiet self-confidence), and not cockiness, not arrogance, he said, is the key to winning or to excelling, regardless of the career one chooses in life.
* Resolve to grow intellectually…morally…technically…professionally and with integrity each day,  through your entire work and family life.  Above all, be computer literate, or run the risk of being deemed to have a disability in today’s world.
* Stay at the very leading edge of whatever profession you choose, or risk becoming out of touch and becoming irrelevant in a few years.
* Whatever you set yourself to do, it’s necessary to want to do it, even more than you want it.
* Do your work, find joy in the process of preparation. Learn to think outside the box.
* Be the best you can! Do not limit yourselves.  You are capable of more than you think.  Do not go through life fretting at external limitations, blaming your under-achievement on things or situations you can’t change.
* Take action!   Be the hero of your own life and not a passive victim of circumstances. Choose the best role model; learn what you can and move on.

Meanwhile, Deaconess Audrey Corey delivered the charge, in which she called on the graduates to   maintain an active prayer life; develop themselves and so develop others; be self-confident; follow their passions, do not turn away, but keep at it and commit themselves to excelling,  Commit themselves  to being the ‘most’ and not the ‘least’ and use the knowledge gained to change the world.