It’s always a joy to see young who are people focused, hardworking, dedicated, purpose driven, and passionate about what they do and where they are headed in life. This, is what best describes Johnstone Kpilaakaa, a 18 year old student of Biological Sciences and Education at the University of Jos, Nigeria.
Johnstone is a campus news reporter and a Christian writer on 4WardGospel and UJXclusive TV (an online TV). He is a Radio host of a technology based programme on Ice 96.1 FM Jos. He also runs a Christyle blog called JohnstonesBlog. When asked about his Salvation experience, he had this to say:
One thing that has greatly impacted me, and made a huge difference in my life is my salvation with Jesus Christ. My mum raised me up in a Christian background and as I grew up, I deeply hungered for a personal relationship with God. I wanted a better understanding of Him, and as a result of ignorance, I will always go out for altar calls in my Junior secondary school. Deep inside me, I knew I was yet to encounter Christ.
Few days after secondary school, I had a genuine encounter with Christ right in my bedroom, just after reading Battle for the Young by Gbile Akanni. At the age of 17, my love for the Holy Spirit waxed stronger. And when I moved down to the campus in Jos, I encountered more of His person at the Fellowship of Catholic Remedial Students (FCRS). These things helped shaped my faith and experience with God.
My journey becoming a Christian and having a personal relationship with God opened my eyes to many deep things. I had to learn, relearn, and unlearn a lot of things about my faith. As a Christian, there is never a point of arrival, there is always something new to learn if we surrender to his will and let him teach us.
Johnstone is gradually taking up the mountain of media and communications by being part of those building a “Christyle” nation. Hence, he keeps a blog to enable him share God’s touch in the ordinaries of everyday life, believing that men will come to learn, relearn, unlearn, and experience God’s love. He will soon be co-hosting a Christian radio programme in Jos and he believes that God will work mightly through it. Amidst all this, Johnstone desires to share positive mindset with people, especially youths.
His favorite quotes are:
We shall all be great, and the beautiful part is we will all know ourselves. – Apostle Joshua Selman
Conquer your contradiction. – Revd Fr Stanley.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. – Mahatma Gandhi
You pay for the problems you create, but you’re paid for the problems you solve. – Pastor Ejimi Adegbeye
Don’t prioritize frivolities and trivialize the important. – Dupe Sarah
When asked about his encouragement for youths out there who are striving to make a difference in their world, he said:
My best advice is that, in the midst of the plights and perils they may encounter, they should always focus on the price. They should not focus on financial benefits only. In the words of King Lemuel’s mum, “Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.” Always know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Johnstone. We wish you God’s best in all your future endeavors!
