During Thursday’s GAM Fellowship, a male campus security officer, accompanied by an assistant, entered our meeting venue while a brother was ministering. Concerned that their presence might disrupt the meeting, I approached the officer and signalled for a private conversation outside.
He explained that he had intended to ask us to vacate the venue earlier and insisted that an official permit was required for its use. We discussed the matter calmly, and after some resolution, he left. Yet, as he walked away, I felt a persistent prompting to evangelise to him. Despite his stern and distant demeanour, I began praying for another opportunity to speak with him and to get his contact information. Later that day, I encountered him again and was able to collect his phone number. I reached out and scheduled a meeting, but unfortunately forgot to call at the agreed time.
Today, while returning from class, I spotted him seated at the security post. With renewed courage, I approached him and asked if we could talk. At first, he appeared distracted, greeting those passing by, which made me hesitant to suggest a more private conversation. To my surprise, he proposed that we move to a quieter spot near the lecture halls. Grateful, I followed him.
In the days leading up to this moment, I had been praying that God would reveal the state of his heart. During one of those times, I had a vision: I saw a boy around three years old, growing up fatherless, navigating life alone. I sensed that God wanted to “break his wings”, to humble him and become his strength.
At our new location, he began scrolling through his phone. I gently asked him to set it aside, emphasising the seriousness of what I wanted to share. To my surprise again, he obliged. As I prayed silently, I shared the impressions I had received during my prayer time. He was visibly taken aback when he realised I had been praying for him.
He opened up about his past, recounting how he used to read the Bible and attend church meetings but stopped. He shared the pain of being abandoned by his father, which hardened him and made him resolve to be mean and difficult. He detailed the abuse he endured while living with his aunt and the physical pain he still carries from her cruel treatment. His resentment was so deep that he admitted to contemplating harming his aunt in the past, if not for divine intervention.
He also mentioned his having gone through a lot with a certain girl, which further contributed to his bitterness, especially toward women. According to him, whenever he remembered what he went through, he would feel like tearing someone apart.
He revealed that he avoids engaging with women, except his mother and grandmother. So he was quite shocked himself that he was talking to me, considering I came from the same tribe as the girl who had offended him. Despite all this, he spoke about his journey of self-reliance, leaving his aunt’s home and putting himself through school. He admitted that he deliberately projects an unapproachable image and fears no one. He expressed surprise at the depth of our conversation, noting that he usually walks away from evangelistic attempts.
Through this, I learned an invaluable lesson: many individuals who act tough, cruel, or distant often carry deep wounds from their past. I spoke to him about healing, forgiveness, and the purpose God has for his life. I encouraged him to read the Bible. While he appeared resistant and hardened, fixated on his past and his achievements, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to stop preaching and start praying.
During the prayer, the song “The Good God, He Knows Your Name” came to mind [https://youtu.be/wC0XElRnN0s?si=G4IShUHzgWsPRwv3]. I spoke as led by the Holy Spirit that he would start dreaming again and remembering his dreams, as he had previously mentioned that he currently doesn’t dream. I prayed for healing, mercy, and other words as led by the Holy Spirit.
Although he declined my invitation to church, stating that he doesn’t attend people’s churches, I assured him of my continued prayers and encouraged him to reach out if he ever felt ready to attend. I pray that he finds God eventually.
Today’s experience was remarkable for me. If you were to meet this man, you might find it hard to believe anyone could approach him. He takes pride in appearing intimidating and unapproachable. I am grateful to God for making me bold—a female—for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and for the opportunity to intercede in this young man’s life.
© GAM 2025
