synodality

PACTPAN Launches “Church of Now” Youth Leadership Team to Strengthen Youth Leadership and Catholic Renewal Across Africa Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — July 1, 2026 — The Pan-African Network of Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) has officially inaugurated the leadership team of its youth movement, Church of Now, marking a significant milestone in the network\’s commitment to empowering young Africans as active protagonists in the renewal of the Church and society. The formal establishment of the Church of Now Executive Leadership Team follows a series of consultative sessions held in a spirit of synodality between young leaders and PACTPAN\’s governing body. The appointments, officially confirmed by the Director of Programs, Sr Jane Kimathi, on June 24, 2026, reflect the network\’s conviction that the future vitality of the Church in Africa depends upon meaningful youth participation, leadership formation, and intergenerational collaboration. Church of Now is PACTPAN\’s dedicated youth platform, created primarily—but not exclusively—for young people. Guided by experienced mentors drawn from the laity, clergy, and religious life, the initiative seeks to build a continental community where young African Catholics can encounter one another, share experiences, deepen their faith, and help shape the future of the Church. The movement serves as a platform for dialogue between young Catholics and Church leaders while developing pastoral and leadership formation programs that respond to the realities facing today’s youth—their faith, vocation, education, employment, digital engagement, social responsibility, and participation in the life and mission of the Church. Among its flagship initiatives are the Building Bright Initiative, which focuses on leadership development and community transformation, and the African Digital Faith Influencers Program, which equips young Catholics to proclaim the Gospel creatively and responsibly within today\’s digital culture. New Executive Leadership Team PACTPAN is pleased to announce the appointment of the inaugural Executive Leadership Team of Church of Now: Ampereza Devis is a Catholic youth from the Diocese of Kabale  in Uganda. He is a scholar and teaches  in the Department of Human Resource Management at Makerere University Business school . Ampereza Devis was among the 8 youth that had an online encounter with Pope Francis in November 2022 on the Building Bridges Initiative and He is the president of the youth in the Pan African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Administration. He is one of the active youth leaders in Uganda who graduated as a Digital Faith Influencer from the PACTPAN. He comes with deep deternimation to ensure that the youth work together overcome the challenges they face in the world today collectively and be able to achieve what they would like to do for God and his church in Africa He comes with deep deternimation to ensure that the youth work together overcome the challenges they face in the world today collectively and be able to achieve what they would like to do for God and his church in Africa Claudia APEDO from Togo is a master’s student in economics and an expert in sales and customer consulting. Active in her parish and in several organizations, she serves as Vice President of the Lay Ministry and Assistant for Cultural Affairs and Human Development at the St. John the Apostle University Parish in Lomé. In addition, she is Vice President of Pactpan’s Church of Now unit and was among the first cohort of young people trained by Pactpan as a Digital Faith Influencer. She is passionate about community engagement and uses her expertise to help her fellow young people develop their entrepreneurial skills. Her goal is to share the joy and love of Jesus Christ with those around her. Milliam Witness Kayange is a Malawian educator, youth development practitioner, researcher and advocate for education and social transformation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education (English) and serves as a secondary school teacher. Milliam is the Malawi Coordinator and Communications Director for PACT-PAN Malawi Chapter, Director of Programs for the PACT-PAN Church of Now Unit and a member of the PACT-PAN Executive Board. She also serves as Secretary of the National Movement of Catholic Students (NMCS) Malawi and is a member of the Global Advocacy Team for IMCS Pax Romana. Her professional development includes certifications in Digital Influencing and Global Advocacy. She is currently leading the youth empowerment initiative, Empowering the Youth: Pathways to Sustainable Socio-economic and Spiritual Independence, while conducting research on Assessing Students\’ Expectations of the Church and Chaplains: Challenges and Opportunities. Her work is driven by a passion for empowering young people, strengthening Catholic youth leadership and advancing education and sustainable Socio-economic development across Africa. Camille Agbeva, a young leader from Benin, is active in his parish and shares his experience with the young people in his network. He is also involved in youth training and community development. Passionate about digital innovation and leadership, he is a web developer and AI expert in training. He is leading a project that aims to highlight his country’s pilgrimage sites and places of spiritual renewal. He is an active advocate in youth movements in his country, including the Catholic Student Youth (JEC). He was part of the first cohort of young people trained as Digital Faith Influencers by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PActpan). Currently, he serves as vice president of the Church of Now unit at Pactpan. Bindré Roger DAYAMBA is a Sociologist and young Catholic from Burkina Faso. He is actively involved in his parish and diocese. He serves as secretary of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (Pactpan). Executive Committee, coordinator of digital ministry for the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, and coordinator of Pactpan’s youth ministry in Burkina Faso. As an influencer and digital missionary of the faith—and a member of the first cohort of Pactpan students—he promotes the initiative known as Solidarity For All (S4A), whose spiritual focus is on vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, displaced families, and host communities affected by the terrorism crisis in Burkina Faso. His mission is to build bridges among young people across Africa and promote active solidarity without borders. He serves as Secretary and