Help Jeremiah continue at PBC

Hey! My name is Jeremiah Niengor. I'm 21 years old, I'm a musician, and I'm currently starting my second year in the Bachelor of Theology degree program at Portland Bible College.


When I was younger, I always joked around about being a pastor, as both my parents were pastors. I grew up in the church and was always surrounded by the church environment - it's fair to say that church was my life. However, when I was in high school I moved away from that, having ambitions for other dreams. 

The funny thing is that God had different plans for me. 


I grew up feeling a pull towards certain things. When I was about 7 years old, I felt a pull and was drawn towards playing the drums. Though I never had much influence or people I could look up to in playing the drums, I had mentors who have shaped my skill into what it is today. I'm passionate about music, but I never really felt called to pursue it. God works in funny ways, because although I never pursued music and drumming as a career, I still get to play drums and do what I love on Sundays, at church, at youth, and at school, all for the glory of God.


When I was 18 years old, I felt that call to ministry, and to become a youth pastor. Although I'd joked about it when I was younger, I finally felt that call because of the passion that God developed in my heart for young people and for youth ministry. The more I hung out with young people and did youth, the more I fell in love with them, and the more I fell in love with Jesus overall. Seeing young people succeed is the desire of my heart, and what God had done in my life and what he's done for me - I want to do for them. 

In May of 2016, after realizing the call that God had put on my life for ministry, I was drawn towards Portland Bible College after visiting the campus with my youth pastor, James Clarence, who had graduated from PBC in 2012. I remember hearing God say, "this is where you need to be," despite my initial thought towards it. That's how I knew it was the voice of God.

I've just recently completed my first year at PBC, which I'd saved enough money to pay my way through my first year. God has been so good and faithful in providing, and I completely have faith that he will also provide for my second year, but as the date for the winter semester draws nearer, now I appeal to you, faithful reader, as to why I need a little financial support in my education journey. 

I realize that there's a fine line in asking people to help support my educational costs. But before you make any assumptions, I will list out the reasons why I need your help for me to continue my education at Portland Bible College.

1. Portland Bible College is a non-accredited College.

This means I am unable to apply for student loans to help me through my degree. As easy it is to apply for student loans (and international student loans, for that matter,) student loans are not awarded to students attending non-accredited colleges. I was able pay for my first year by working in the summer prior to starting, but because I am only home in Calgary, AB for a couple weeks before having to return on January 17th, having a stable source of income is difficult. I have been working small side jobs here and there, but haven't been able to make a stable income to pay for my next semester.

2. As an international student, I am unable to work in Portland, even with a student visa.

At Portland, I was able to work at the school for the school. Also, as a student of PBC, students are not allowed to work outside of the campus. This makes it particularly hard if you are trying to make enough cash to pay your way through school. Although PBC has a nice "pay your way through school by working for the school" policy for students, it's difficult to get hours and make ennough money when everybody else is working the same job (custodial) to make ends meet. On top of that, being an international student, not only do I have to find ways to pay for school tuition, but for residence as well. And the best part? I'm Canadian, so all those lovely tuition costs are in USD, which means I'm losing a lot of money.

Now, I am asking for a little help for me to pay for my next semester, and this is where your contribution will make its mark. I am not asking you to fund my tuition costs while I sit back and do nothing - believe me, I have been working hard to make ends meet, doing the most random little jobs here and there, no matter how gross they could be. I am still going to work custodial when I go back to PBC next semester, but that's only if I am able to go back next semester. What I am asking is for a little financial support and a lot of prayer for me to continue pursuing the call to ministry God has put on my life and continue my degree at PBC. 

Your contribution in sowing in me and believing in me will not return void, because what God did for me in my life through others, I want to do the same. The deepest desire of my heart is to sow into young people, using my life as a vessel to bless others the way God has blessed me. 

I am humbled for the chance to get my story out there, and I am thankful for the time you've spent just listening to my story, and following me on my journey. Every dollar is investing into the kingdom.

And if it's not quite in your heart today, that's okay! But please help the other people around in achieving their dreams or goals. We all start from somewhere, and this happens to be mine. 

I appreciate your generosity and help. Please join me in my faith journey and join me in prayer.