Born in a prominent Christian family, baptized as an infant and named after one of the famous serving angels – Gabriel, I grew up a religious person. Religious in the sense that I belonged to a church, observed all the relevant Christian activities stipulated by the church and accepted by my parents. My mum in particular was a devout communicant of the NKST church. She was always happy with my zeal and enthusiasm for the “work of God.” I was later confirmed a communicant by public profession of my faith after many years of catechism lessons. Now I could preach in church, teach catechism, avoid bad company, criticize others who were comparatively worse sinners (by my assessment) and avoid associating with proud sinners. I already exhausted a complete baptismal card as a communicant in the NKST church denomination. Never did I know  I was living a moral life full of self-righteousness. I was truly submerged in the ’religion without power’ syndrome – secretly overtaken by youthful lust.

The Holy Bible became more useful, and I regretted my rotten past – the wasted years that the devil nearly destroyed. This scripture became my anchor: “do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

The miracle of my salvation occurred about eleven years after baptism. My encounter with the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) made a great difference. While I joined NCCF as a corps member in 1997, it was not long that I realized I had been living a hypocritical life all the years. As I continued in the fellowship, a sister gave me a book titled “He came to set the captives free” authored by Rebecca Brown. When I finished reading it, I was so touched that I went down on my knees in my room (in Zing Local Government Area of Taraba state) and prayed Jesus into my life. I had recited many such prayers in the past but this time it was different. I was praying out of conviction; as a sinner who acknowledged how bad I was and how deserving I was of eternal destruction. It was on the 31st day of December, 1997. So I was ushered into a new year, 1998 a brand new creature in Christ. 

Since then, my Christian life has never remained the same (the Lord has helped me to continue to grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus). Far away from home, i.e. parents, church, relations and church Elders, but much closer to my Redeemer. Christ kept on revealing himself to me. I increased in strength with fresh anointing and the filling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible became more useful, and I regretted my rotten past – the wasted years that the devil nearly destroyed. This scripture became my anchor: “do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Gal. 6:7 NKJV).

I praise God who did not only deliver me but has placed on my heart an unquenchable passion for souls especially, the youth. By His grace I am persuaded daily that I was harvested for the purpose of the harvest. Maranatha!