I relocated to South Africa to pursue tertiary studies at one of the top universities in Africa. Before moving, a friend gave me a book, Destined to Reign, and a flash drive full of Joseph Prince’s old sermons.

At first, I did not pay much attention to the sermons and the book because I was still listening to another pastor. But after reading the book and watching some of the sermons, I slowly began to understand what Pastor Prince was teaching, and it was completely different from what I had been hearing.

I had always pictured God as one who punishes. I tried my best to be right with Him, and in the process, I thought I was more righteous than other believers. This put me under a lot of stress and self-awareness because I became religious. I was always praying wherever I was, to the point that my friends would notice. I was always asking for forgiveness. If I did something wrong, I felt God turned away from me. I felt guilty, and I believed I had to keep asking for forgiveness to be right with God.

I watched one of Joseph Prince’s sermons where he shared how we can shift our focus from self to Christ. That message changed my life, and the book Destined to Reign began to make more sense. I started seeing God as a friend, someone you can talk to anytime and who is never angry at you. The burden was lifted. Even when I made mistakes, I believed God had already forgiven me.

When I had better Internet connection, I was able to watch more sermons on YouTube, and I downloaded the Joseph Prince app. I came across a message that said, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). Because of that verse, I made it a point to listen to Joseph Prince’s sermons every day.

Every morning on my way to school, I would listen to a sermon in the taxi, and I did the same on the way back. I stay about forty-five minutes from school, so I have about 90 minutes to listen to messages every day. Also, before I began studying each day, I would listen to a 30 to 45-minute sermon on Pastor Prince’s YouTube channel. From each sermon, I would choose a verse that spoke to me, highlight it in my Bible app, and keep returning to it as I studied.

When I faced a difficult module, I would write a verse in my notebook about God being with me and helping me, and I would be conscious of His presence during that class. By God’s grace, I kept meditating on His Word wherever I was. Although my degree was very challenging, I kept believing that God was with me.

One revelation that helped me a lot was that I could be real and vulnerable with God. If I did not feel like studying but knew I had to, I would be honest and tell my Father, “I do not want to study.” Then I would leave my desk. After a few minutes, I would feel a drive and hunger to study.

Throughout the 4 years at university, I continued listening to Joseph Prince’s sermons. I saw God’s hand in my modules. I passed my modules each year, and He helped me attain a BSc Honors degree in Chemical Engineering. I was a self-funded student, and by God’s grace, my parents managed to pay my fees and expenses.

I want to give glory and honor to our Lord Jesus for carrying me through my university life. He protected me from many mistakes I could have made at university. He also gave me good friends and a local church with a great community.

Thank you, Pastor Prince and New Creation Church, for allowing God to use you to change lives all around the world.