Biblical and theological foundations on youth involvement in the great commission mandate for promoting a healthy church

This study examines the biblical and theological foundations for youth involvement in the Great Commission mandate within the Anglican Church in Kilungu Sub-County, Kenya. Despite clear scriptural imperatives for discipling young believers (Deuteronomy 6:7; 1 Timothy 4:12), research reveals significant disengagement, with 60.5% of youth not participating in church programs due to factors like lack of time (37.6%), awareness (15.5%), and motivation (5.4%). The study demonstrates how Social Learning Theory explains peer influence on youth participation, while Mediation Theory illuminates the church's role in bridging biblical mandates with practicaldiscipleship. The study employed a descriptive research design, collecting data through questionnaires from 258 youth and 40 clergy across 18 Anglican churches. Findings highlight critical gaps in mentorship, with most youth lacking spiritual guidance despite parentalencouragement (93%). While 53.1% acknowledged some financial support for youth activities, programs remain largely ineffective in fostering meaningful engagement. The study concludes with recommendations for biblically grounded, youth-centric approaches to revitalize participation in the Great Commission, emphasizing mentorship, targeted awareness campaigns, and programredesign. These insights contribute to broader discussions on youth discipleship in African Christian contexts.