My name is Philippe Nia-An THERA. I am the youngest of a family of seven children, including two sisters.
I was born into a Christian family, although my father was the only Christian among his relatives. As committed believers and devoted Christians, my parents immersed me in the Christian faith from an early age. I first attended church simply because I accompanied my parents. Later, going to church became a habit. Through Sunday school and Bible studies, I gradually came to understand what sin is and why humanity is lost without Christ.
However, it was in 1991 that I was confronted with the reality of my sinful condition and my need for forgiveness and salvation. My brother, who was then a pastoral student, introduced me to the Four Spiritual Laws.
After reading that booklet, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
In 1995, I was baptized and began to take a more active interest in church ministry. I joined a music group, became part of the worship team, and led Bible study groups.
My growing desire to know and serve the Lord led me to attend training with Campus Crusade for Christ. Upon completing my university studies, I joined the organization as a staff member and was assigned to the Supreme Order Training Center, where I served as a trainer, worship leader, and coordinator of the sports ministry Athletes in Action.
Although I later left Campus Crusade for Christ, I have continued to serve the Lord wherever He has placed me. Over the years, I have served as an assistant pastor, youth committee leader, and worship leader.
For a period of time, I also served as Regional Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s Purse.
Today, I serve as the coordinator of Sunday school teachers, a member of the worship leadership team, and a founder and member of GREC (Group for the Enrichment of Couples) and Teens in Action.
I am also a founding member and resource person of the Collective of Christian Intellectuals for Social Cohesion, Good Governance, and Peace, a group committed to ensuring that the voice of Christians is heard and that their perspectives are taken into account in matters affecting society.
In addition, I co-founded OBED-JIGIYA to respond to the needs of vulnerable people, including women, widows, orphans, and street children, while expressing Christ’s compassion and sharing His love and salvation in a context where Islam is the dominant religion.
Our desire is not only to do humanitarian work differently, but above all to present the whole Gospel through our actions and projects.
With great joy and enthusiasm, I seek to serve the Lord through every circumstance of my life, learning each day to trust Him more fully and depend on Him completely.
This, in a few words, is the story of my journey with the Lord—a journey that continues by His grace.
