Rebuilding my Education & Professional Development with Jesus

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:15 NKJV

15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Hebrews 6:15 NLT

I have consistently nurtured a desire to further my studies and position myself for more opportunities for professional development. So in 2008, I secured an admission to study a MSc in Water & Wastewater Technology at Cranfield University; however, I couldn’t pursue it as I later secured a job with a regulatory organisation in the environment industry. I decided to defer it by a year, hoping for a better financial situation or sponsorship opportunity. Try as much as I could, I was not able to start the programme.

In 2011, I secured an admission to study for a PhD in Science and Technology Studies at Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex. I started the programme, having decided to go part time at work, however, financial pressures and family commitments necessitated I defer this study again. However, I was not able to resume the programme.

In 2015, I applied for a studentship to study for a PhD in Science and Technology in History at King’s College London. I was invited for an interview but was not successful, primarily due to lack of background in history and was advised to consider a MA in Science, Technology & Medicine in History as the starting point. I promptly applied and secured a space to start at King’s College London in September 2016.

In September 2016, I was called into the office of a Pastor; I was still keen on starting my MA programme, which I did later in October 2016. It soon became obvious that I couldn’t continue with the studies with my increased workload as a Pastor; I deferred this study again. However, despite all my efforts I was not able to resume the programme due to financial pressures, my workload as a Pastor and the programme being discontinued by King’s College London.

In 2019, I secured an admission to study a MA in Science Communication at University of Kent. I started the programme in September 2019, did all I could to continue but I struggled due to a combination of financial pressures, pastoral and church administrative commitments. I deferred this study again.

In September 2020, our year of Divine Fruitfulness, the Lord miraculously made a way for me to return to study a MA in Science Communication at University of Kent during the pandemic. Although some of the previous challenges were still contending for my time (the Church had to embrace online services, a new learning experience, financial pressures); I was resolute and determined to make this opportunity work. So, with the introduction of online study from home, I endured many sleepless nights, reading, studying, writing and attending seminars, workshops and meetings. I successfully completed my studies and got awarded a MA in Science Communication with Merit. Guess what? We were the last cohort on the MA Science Communication programme, as it was discontinued by University of Kent.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!!! The journey I started in 2008, I was able to complete it in 2021. I am a product of His amazing grace.

With my colleagues – Toto, Ayaka & Helen – and our Course Convener, Prof Charlotte Sleigh. I am very grateful to them for the support extended to me.

The Lord miraculously opened a door of opportunity for me to complete a work placement at Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS), Durham. This led to us securing a grant for the public engagement with science project – Elijah, The Tishbite – Let’s Talk About Mental Health, which to the glory of God we were able to deliver.