Led to What Is Best: My Story of Growing Through Christian Education

When I think about education, I see it not merely as instruction but as guiding human beings toward what is best and bringing out the best in them. I first encountered this idea in teacher training college, when one of my lecturers quoted John Ruskin:

“Education is the act of leading human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them.”

That definition struck me because my life had already been shaped by a long and living experience of Christian education.

Growing Up in Faith

I grew up in a Christian home where daily family devotion was central. We read Bible stories together, guided by Our Daily Guide and the Yoruba Ajumoka. As children, we were captivated by illustrated stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Joseph, Jonah, and Jesus. These stories entertained us and laid a moral and spiritual foundation. They teach obedience, honesty, and faithfulness.

Boys Brigade Enrollment Service at ECWA Odeoolo, Inalende, Ibadan Nigeria (2019) Source 

Church and Youth Formation

My formation deepened in church life. I joined the Boys’ Brigade and the choir at a young age. The Brigade trained us in discipline, music, and Bible study competitions that sharpened my knowledge of Scripture. The choir taught me to sing biblical truths in Yoruba, making faith practical and relatable.

By twelve, I was active in the ECWA youth fellowship, engaging in Bible study discussions that encouraged questioning and reflection. A year-long baptismal class introduced me to doctrines like the Trinity and baptism—an experience that became a spiritual milestone.

School and Sunday School

Christian education also came through my primary school, run by Roman Catholics, where mornings began with prayer and devotion. At church, Sunday school added another layer of formation. Taught by dedicated Christians—many of them university lecturers—our classes encouraged open questions and discussion.

My eagerness to learn later led me to teach Sunday school myself. Becoming a teacher, and eventually an assistant superintendent, deepened my faith and showed me how Christian education can shape not only individuals but whole communities.

Community and Interfaith Lessons

My wider community also shaped my outlook. Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers lived together in harmony. During Ramadan, Muslim neighbors told us stories about Musa and Isa—parallels to Moses and Jesus—that expanded my perspective.

These exchanges taught me early to value dialogue and respect across religions, a lesson that still shapes my theology and ministry.

Lessons That Remain

Looking back, each stage of Christian education added a new layer to my growth. Childhood songs for memorizing the books of the Bible still guide me in study and teaching.

The Boys’ Brigade left a lasting imprint—instilling discipline, teamwork, and a love for music. Skills with instruments like the trumpet, saxophone, and harmonica later enriched my ministry, including the Wonder of Worship project in the Netherlands.

Speaking as a Guest of Honor at  ECWA Church Odeoolo Inalende Ibadan, Nigeria (Source )

Most of all, the Boys’ Brigade’s motto continues to guide me:

“The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among boys, and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.”

These values greatly shaped my character and leadership, enabling me to serve as a role model for young people. Over time, I was honored to be invited as both a speaker and Guest of Honour at various community events and Brigade enrollment services across my country.

Wondering
I have come to see that Christian education is not a single program but a lifelong journey. It has flowed through family devotions, church life, school assemblies, youth fellowships, and even interfaith encounters. At every stage, it has worked holistically—shaping my mind, forming my character, and deepening my spirit. In the words of Ruskin, it has indeed “led my soul to what is best and continues to bring out the best in me.”

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Ayodele John Alonge
Sunday 14th September 2025, 11:20pm (EST)
Marcia Riggs Commons (MRC), Atlanta Georgia