“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” – Psalm 37:23
When I was 17, I sat across from my pastor, looking for guidance. University was on my heart, and I wanted spiritual counsel about my next step.
My pastor didn’t hesitate.
“Don’t go,” came the reply.
Later on, I understood why. The church had seen too many kids raised in faith walk away from God after heading off to university. The secular environment had shipwrecked their faith.
I listened to the advice, then went away to pray and fast about what I should do. In spite of the potential problems, I sensed that God was still calling me to go to study music.
Going Anyway — And Failing
I decided to go to university. What surprised me most was how hard it was to manage my time and stay disciplined. I wasn’t ready. Partway through my second year, I dropped out.
It was humbling.
But God wasn’t finished with me.
Living Sound: Around the World with a Purpose
After leaving school, I again prayed and fasted about what to do next. The Lord opened a door for me to travel with a Christian band called Living Sound. We traveled the world—five months in nine Southeast Asian countries, twelve months in the U.S. and Canada, two months in Europe, six months in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and even a short trip to Israel—sharing the Gospel through music.
It was during that season that I grew in my walk with the Lord and developed a deeper sense of calling. God wasn’t just using me—He was preparing me.
I began to feel the nudge to return to university. Not just to finish a degree, but to grow into the person God was calling me to be.
Returning — This Time with Vision
When I went back to university, I was a changed person. I was focused and more disciplined. I did well in my classes and I had a much clearer purpose and goal.
But not everything was easy. A couple of religious studies courses were quite tough. They didn’t just teach about Christianity—they tried to question its very foundations.
That’s when I discovered a book that really helped:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.
It helped rebuild my confidence in the truth of the Gospel. I also joined a student-led Bible study that met twice a month. It wasn’t flashy, but it kept me grounded in the Word and surrounded by believers.
“God didn’t just preserve my faith at university—He deepened it.”
God’s Perfect Timing
After I graduated, I worked for a year. Then one day, the phone rang.
It was Don Moen from Living Sound.
He asked if I’d come back—as Music Director of one of their teams.
That was a pivotal moment in my life. I accepted, and it set me on the path I’ve walked ever since: Leading music and worship teams, discipling others, and using music to draw people into God’s presence.
What I Learned
I don’t fault my pastor for their advice—they were speaking from experience. But sometimes God calls us to go into hard places with Him. The university campus can be difficult, yes—but it can also be a place of growth, testing, calling, and breakthrough.
“When we follow God’s voice, even risky decisions can bear lasting fruit.”
Encouragement for the Next Generation
If you’re a young person considering university:
- Go only if God is calling you. Pray and fast about it.
- Stay rooted in Scripture and Christian community.
- Expect challenges—but also expect God to be with you there.
If you’re a parent or pastor:
- Don’t assume that every secular environment is toxic.
- Prepare your children to stand firm in faith before they go.
- Trust that God is able to lead, preserve, and use them.
Final Word
I went to university.
I failed.
I returned.
I finished.
And through it all, God was writing a story that continues to this day.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5–6
