About this time last year I had a crisis of faith. I'd been praying earnestly for three years asking, "Lord, what would you have me do?" It seemed that every door I pushed was slammed shut!

During this time, I started watching some Ravi Zacharias sermons on YouTube and on a related video I ended up watching a debate on Does God Exist? Featuring the late Christopher Hitchens. He had me tied up in knots! I thought maybe he's right, maybe I am deluded? But, I thought, No! I've been a Christian for over 17 years, I know Jesus and despite this challenge I know that it's true. I knew there would be evidence.

So I went searching for the evidence that Christianity is true. This began my passion into Christian apologetics.

1 Peter 3:15 gives us the Biblical mandate for studying apologetics. It commands that we should set In our hearts Christ as Lord and always be prepared to give an answer (defence, apologetic) to everyone who asks for the hope (Jesus) that is in us doing this with gentleness and respect.

I began by doing a 12 week online course produced by Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. I was reading books and getting stuck in to learning all I could. After seeing only a snippet of evidence I realised it would take more faith to stop believeing in Jesus!

I became convicted that everyone should know this stuff! Believers and sceptics alike! With the little I knew I began to share with my church: Youth group, students, friends and started to run an apologetics study group.

It's incredible that this passion arose from a place of doubt and it hasn't subsided but grown far beyond all other interests. I was praying, "Lord, what would you have me do?" I got my answer so, I applied to do the OCCA 1 year programme.

Why Study At OCCA?

I've accepted the offer of a place on the course and there is one obstacle, finances.

I know that our God is a God of unlimited resources and I ask that you pray for provision for me and whether you ought to give.

I'm praying that by attending this course God will be glorified and many will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and His church will shape a culture that shows that being a Christian isn't intellectual suicide or a fairytale, but the truth which sets us free.

God bless and thank you,

Philip