By Ephantus, class of 2017
It is such a joy to be writing this report which marks an important milestone in my journey at Daystar University. It is not only my personal achievement but also a great joy to my wife, my two daughters and my son. It has been a long wait for them. I thank God who has finally fulfilled my desire to train as a Christ-centered church musician. This desire was birthed in the mission fields after seeing the struggles churches in the rural areas were facing in their music ministry.
My coming to Daystar was a step of faith which I would attribute to my wife. Every time I made an attempt to join school, the fees kept me away. Deep down within me I knew I needed to train as a Christian musician. I could not join other universities offering music because I knew that I would not get the Christian dimension in my training. I did not want to be a performer but a music minister. After postponing for more than two years, I eventually joined Daystar University in 2013. I had to resign from my teaching job to pursue that which I knew was my calling.
By the time I was clearing my first academic year, I was already struggling financially and I contemplated quitting quietly. We were already struggling to pay the loan we had taken in order to facilitate my admission. I had definitely come to a dead end. Though I secured a work-study scholarship, it could not cover the already increasing fee. Quitting was the obvious option. This struggle went on until I entered my third year when I was fully sponsored through Daystar U.S. How God shows up at the darkest hour!
When Ephantus was awarded a Daystar U.S. scholarship he was able to focus on his studies instead of worrying about how to pay his tuition.
The words of Joshua chapter 13 still remain true. I may have completed this undergraduate degree but there still remains more land to be conquered. To start with, I am working with my church choir but I look forward to having an opportunity to work with many church musicians, especially in the rural areas where my call is. I am also preparing materials which I feel will form the bedrock of my training for musicians. I remain forever grateful for this opportunity.
Words fail me to express my gratitude to you as well as to God for this opportunity. I cannot imagine what could have befallen me if help never came my way. Thank you for giving towards my education and many other students who stood in need like me. The impact is no doubt far-reaching in the lives of many and their families. As Ray Boltz would put it in his song Thank you, “Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am the life that was changed, thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave.”
Ephantus graduated from Daystar in July 2017 with a degree in music. He hopes to use his degree to advance music ministry in Kenya.
Your giving to someone’s education leaves an indelible mark in their lives. As many times as you find an opportunity to give, do it. Jesus Himself said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Keep giving, keep sowing for great is your reward! Thank you; I am very grateful.