This real-life testimony is about a young man (for privacy reasons, we call him Luke) from Nigeria and lived in South Africa who grew distant from God, but felt the call to ask for help. The person he asked for help from is a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. In the testimony below, you will see how your works in secret (for God) can bring change to a life. For privacy reasons, we will call this person Erik.
Gossiping and group influence
Erik went with a group to Africa to do some work for God. In Africa, Erik and his group stayed in a lodge where two young men took care of them. During the trip, some people in the group began to gossip about the two young men and many other things. God revealed to them how they were unreliable and just not trustworthy. One of the young men was Luke. Luke did ask some money from Erik and his friend, but they didn’t give him. Erik, however, promised to give Luke some money once he returned to his own country.
Erik kept his promise and gave Luke some money. During a small church service, the group started to reflect on the trip and talked about Luke and some others in Africa… Negative things were spoken, and the pastor wanted everyone to agree not send any money to anyone from Africa, but through him and through the name of the church. Everyone agreed, but Erik remained silent and didn’t agree on anything. Somehow Erik didn’t want to join the flow of the group and remained quiet about the people from Africa and Luke.
Network and support
It was not easy for Erik to do this, because many people in his group claimed that they could hear from God easily or that what they said was inspired by God. So, Erik had to be strong. However, during the Africa trip, Erik exchanged numbers with Luke, and they remained in touch. Luke told Erik about an old friend who helped him to learn the basic principles of the Christian faith. Erik got in touch with that friend and heard about his work.
This friend, from Nigeria, wanted to become a full-time missionary after his retirement. Erik really felt that this work was good and felt in his heart to donate some money to the missionary to support his work. He did this a few times, maybe 2 or 3 times. In the meantime, Luke had some family problems (related to a serious illness). Luke asked Erik for money, but Erik didn’t want to give, because the words of the pastor were in his mind to not give. However, since Erik didn’t agree on the church’s pact, Erik was convicted and supported Luke’s family with some money.
Luke’s family member got money for some medicines and a surgery, and that family member got healed successfully.
Surprising messages from Luke
After some time, Luke sent Erik a new message. Erik didn’t expect to hear anything from Luke. Luke sent the following messages:
“Good morning ☀️
I’m really glad to have known you
Spoke to bro from Nigeria yesterday.
He told me what you’ve been helping him with the ministry.
I’m just saying thank you.
Words can’t truly describe.
Bro, please help me back onto the path of righteousness.
I’m going astray, and I can’t help myself.”
After these messages from Luke, Erik and Luke decided to read the book of Matthew together. They would do that when Luke had time for the Bible. And 4 months later, Luke sent the following message to Erik.
“I don’t know if you remembered I told you I wanna be righteous again
I truly am turning a new life but it’s hard. I have some habits I’m not proud of, and it’s very difficult to keep away from, but I’m trusting God”.
The testimony itself
Luke recently shared these words with Erik in January 2026.
“I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience, kindness, and dedication toward me. Studying the Bible with you has truly changed my life in ways I never imagined. Since the day we met in South Africa 🇿🇦 during the divine outreach, my perspective, faith, and direction have been transformed.
Thank you for not giving up on me, for guiding me with love and understanding, and for allowing God to use you as a vessel in turning my life around. I’m deeply grateful for the impact you’ve had on my journey, and I’ll always appreciate the role you played in bringing me closer to the truth.
May God continue to bless you and the work you do
You really made me see Christ once again thank you 🙏 I am a better person because of you and I truly appreciate it”
Some final words
It is always nice to receive such nice words, but all the glory belongs to God. Erik really gave God all the glory and was happy that Luke came closer to God again. This testimony has many dimensions and levels. It teaches us a few things:
- We must be slow to speak and quick to hear (James 1:19 KJV).
- We must not make too hasty decisions and carefully judge every situation (test every spirit; 1 John 4:1-3 KJV).
- Don’t always follow the multitude, don’t be afraid to be different (Exodus 23:2 KJV).
Conclusion
It is very important to show patience towards each other and to understand what somebody needs. This testimony is not an encouragement to help every person who asks you for money; always try to see if this person is honest and ask God for help and wisdom. We need God to make good and proper decisions.
When you are careful and wise, you will be very careful with your words. It is, of course, very important to live close to God and to be faithful. Never join people who gossip and who speak negatively about other. Don’t just follow people who claim to hear God so well, or who claim to get certain revelations from God. Always test the Spirit and follow Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus Christ, not people.
This testimony shows that God is not limited to do anything. His hand is not too short to save. Even if the people who gossiped and spoke badly about Luke were right, we can see that God can even change such people into faithful followers of Christ again. Let’s not look at what we see now, but let’s look unto Jesus and do what He wants us to do.
Let’s conclude with some Bible verses, Proverbs 17:27 KJV and Psalm 1:1-3 KJV.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Let’s follow Erik, just as Erik followed Jesus Christ. Let’s be wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16 KJV).