11-Year-Old Rehoboth Olakunle Wins 2026 Bible Recitation Challenge in Lagos

11-year-old Rehoboth Olakunle has won the 2026 Bible Recitation Challenge organised by Gospel Faith Mission International in Lagos.

Olakunle emerged first among 21 contestants at the grand finale held on Sunday at the Pacesetters Assembly, Lagos, winning a Dell Latitude 5410 laptop.

Aduragbemi Olaniran emerged first runner-up and received a mobile phone, while Jesumihefue Marcus came third and received a cash prize.

The competition tested the contestants on various aspects of biblical knowledge, including the recitation of 48 memory verses drawn from the 2025/2026 Sunday Bible School lessons, 1 Corinthians 13 and Bible quizzes.

The top 10 contestants received various prizes, while all 21 participants were presented with Certificates of Excellence for their commitment to studying and memorising the scriptures.

The District Youth Pastor, Abiodun Alade, said the initiative was designed to cultivate a generation of young people with a deep and enduring relationship with the Word of God.

He said, “The greatest reward is not the laptop, phone, cash or any of the prizes. It is the Word of God these young people have hidden in their hearts.

Alade commended the contestants for their commitment and appreciated the leaders and supporters who made the competition possible.

He noted that the winner received a laptop for the second consecutive year, while the runners-up received a new mobile phone and cash prize, following the presentation of tablets to the runners-up in the 2025 edition.

Speaking at the event, the District Pastor, Kehinde Ogundare, urged the youths to go beyond memorising scripture for competitions and make the word of God the foundation of their daily lives.

Ogundare said storing God’s word in their hearts would guide the youths, strengthen them against sin and equip them to live purposeful lives in a challenging world.

Also speaking, the District Youth Coordinator, Tayo Olawunmi, amurged young people to embrace the word of God and allow its principles to shape their character and conduct.

Olawunmi said the true evidence of knowing the scripture was reflected in a life that demonstrated its values.

The event also featured the recognition of Grace Akinmutola, winner of the 2025 edition, who was celebrated for her achievement and continued commitment to the vision of the competition.

She also received a cash prize.