My name is Paul Iorlaha, I am 29 years old and was born in Gboko Benue State, Nigeria, . I’m from Konshisha local government area of Benue State, the last child of the family of three siblings. I attended my primary primary, secondary and post secondary school here in Nigeria and began pursuing my desire to encounter the Divine as an altar server in the local Roman Catholic Church. While working in this role, and also in other facets of congregational participation and service, I began to feel within my soul a distinct call to ministry.  Though I did not know how that would be possible, I began to pray and to explore different avenues regionally where I could potentially study and hone my understanding of this call.

            I then decided to apply to a Roman Catholic seminary where I hoped to discern my vocation, perhaps to become a priest and to serve God, the community and world at large. I was interviewed and admitted in the Roman Catholic Seminary, and then began my discernment.

After moving toward postulancy, I encountered challenges within myself, with the corruption of the seminary staff and faculty, and with the doctrinal modality of the Roman Catholic church in general, so I left and returned home to continue my vocational discernment and self-discovery; I carefully considered my own worldview, my identity as a human being, my view of God and of faith, and my call to study more current contemporary theological frameworks and considerations in wider church ministries. 

            Next, I worked toward reconciling my sexual orientation as a gay man with my faith, which I could not effectively seem to do within the context of any Nigerian institution, including a seminary. In Nigeria, it is not only against the national laws to identify and live life as an LGBTQIA+ person, but it is also therefore impossible to openly study for the ministry and to explore theological basics where I can be affirmed for who God created me to be. In the process of self-discovery and social media research, I came across an online ministry at Wild Goose Church International in the United States. There, at Wild Goose, I learned so much about Progressive Christianity and about the affirmation of myself as a whole person created in God’s image.  I also learned about community, genuine love, diverse forms of exegesis, missions work, women in leadership, new forms of worship and music. As I grew to become a member and a full, celebrated part of the community, both the founding pastor as well as the associate pastor became my mentors. (Bryan and his colleague Dianna)  

            I served eventually as the president of the church council, after having also acquired a great deal of knowledge of congregational polity and of the United Church of Christ – which does not exist in my area of Nigeria.  After years of prayer and ongoing discernment that involved many conversations within myself and with my mentors, I have arrived at the point where I am now. I applied in the seminary at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in the United States. My applicaton was accepted, and I have been admitted at United, and will have to resume this Fall 2024. One of my mentors is an alum of United, he encouraged me to pursue these studies with United. My hopes are many, not the least of which is to take my theological education to a formal level and to be able to explore more fully, in an inclusive and emancipatory learning community. 

        I’m currently a member of Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, where I join services online. With dedication, I have experienced extensive growth there, and truly believe that my call will open me to helping foster and encourage social transformation in my community and beyond – to offer radical acceptance and unconditional love again with no exceptions to all people and to Creation in general.

     I believe that it is very important for progressive faith communities to share their views and commitments not only on a local level but on a global level.  So many of us around the world still feel victimized and traumatized by colonial church mindsets that remain deeply entrenched in our cultures and societies.  People are dying here and in many other third world countries every day – either by others’ violence or by their own hand – believing that they are “less than” or “abominations.”  The only voices and perspectives available locally are those of the imperialist colonials, with no alternatives except those online and in social media.  Thankfully, I am one who has had the opportunity to discover a different set of voices, thanks to pastoral leadership like Bryan’s and the recently retired Rev  Dr  Dean from Shepherd of the Hill  I hope to be able to discuss more about all of this as I celebrate with you in your service this week via Zoom 

Topics: Christianity, Personal Journey, Theology