"I had experienced sleep paralysis and suicidal thoughts."

I was in a serious debt and the only way to clear it was to rob a jewelry shop, there was no other solution for me but to commit this crime.

I grew up seeing my family in chaos, my mother and stepfather were always fighting, damaging things in the house due to betrayal. Police were called to the house from time to time just to check and make sure everything was safe for me and my younger brother. That continued up to the point when they separated.

The separation caused my mother a lot of pain, and unfortunately, that pain affected us. She would sometimes say hurtful words, discipline us too harshly, and enter into multiple relationships.

That completely distorted my view of women. I started to believe that women only existed to provide my needs, and once those needs were met, they had nothing else to offer me.

Because of the brokenness I experienced at home, I looked for a sense of family outside. I started to see my friends as older brothers, sisters, and father figures, and I began copying their behaviors and seeking their validation to feel accepted. I became a thief. I would shoplift, rob people, and do anything to impress them.

My choices caused many problems for my family. I was excluded from school, and over time, I developed paranoia and deep insecurity. I didn't want my friends to see my weaknesses or who I truly was, which caused a lot of trauma as I grew up.

For many years, I struggled with sleepless nights and disturbing dreams about hatred, being chased, and falling. I also developed a party lifestyle, using it as a way to escape. For many years, I had experienced sleep paralysis and suicidal thoughts. The only solution that used to come to mind was just to take my own life and I attempted many times.

With the problems that I'd gone through, I became in debt, thinking that robbery would be a solution. But it didn't end up in the way that it was initially planned to happen. Until me and my friend realized that we reached a certain point in our life that we had achieved nothing.

I went to different churches, but because of my past experiences, I felt like I negatively affected the people around me. It created a low self-esteem within me, making me believe that I had no value and that I was always a bad influence on others.

Until I was invited to the Universal Church. I was approached by the youth members on the street. I didn't expect anything different, but their energy, positivity, and acceptance stood out to me. Even when I shared my past, they didn't judge me—they showed me a completely different environment from what I had experienced before.

In the beginning, my transformation wasn't immediate. I had spent about 16 years in the church, but I didn't truly know God. I didn't have the intimate relationship with Him that others spoke about.

For me, it was just religiosity and routine. I developed many insecurities and became jealous of those around me who truly knew God and were growing in their faith, while I remained the same.

I became envious, prideful, anxious, and confused within myself. This led me to reflect and ask, "Is this really the life I want?" I knew that if I died at that moment, I would not be where I wanted to be with God, and I didn't want that.

With that, I began to reflect on myself more and became sincere in expressing to God who I truly was. I took part in the Campaign of Israel because I wanted to experience a life transformation and truly know God by receiving His Spirit.

That was the day I went to the Altar and surrendered everything—who I was and everything I carried. I stopped lying and I chose to tell the truth. I exposed the addiction I had and gave it up. I became more present in church and I made myself available to show God that this is who I am, but I don't want to remain this way; I want to become who He wants me to be.

From that day, I had a drive and purpose inside me that I had never experienced before. Not long after, I received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gave me a sense of identity, joy, peace, and the conviction that I can overcome anything with God. He has guided my finances, opened doors, and allowed me to take part in opportunities beyond my abilities.

Through His guidance, I was able to clear my debts and even help others to manage their finances, including friends and family.

Even my relationship with the woman of God I am with today has been a blessing. It is proof of the transformation within me because the way I see women has completely changed. I no longer see them as objects, but as souls to be valued, cared for, and respected.

I have peace, and I have forgiven those who have hurt me. I am excited for the future and for everything my wife and I will do together to serve God.

— Jefferson Iweh