Part 1: My College days in Baroda.
I had no desire to pursue a PhD or become a professor. Teaching was never my calling. What I truly wanted was to join a professional course and build a career that would give me stability and purpose. So, I began appearing for various MBA and MCA entrance exams at various colleges in Gujarat, hoping for a breakthrough. Deep down, I was praying for a miracle—something only God could orchestrate.
In 1998, I appeared for the MCA entrance exam at M.S. University. The course was highly competitive, with only 35 seats available—25 for the General Category and the remaining reserved for SC/ST/OBC candidates. I did well, but uncertainty lingered. I wasn’t sure if it was was good enough to place me among the top 30. All I could do was wait—and pray for a miracle.
As results from various entrance exams began trickling in, disappointment followed close behind. None of them seemed to be in my favor. I felt dejected, uncertain about what lay ahead. I was alone in my room, my head resting on the study table, in a very somber mood. I had no idea that the MCA results from my college were being declared that very day.
Just then, Deepak Gupta walked in, his face lit with excitement. “Your name is on the list!” he exclaimed. I rushed to college to confirm, and there it was—my name, ranked third among hundreds of candidates. It was a great miracle from God. Later, I also cleared the MBA entrance from Ahmedabad, but my heart was set on MCA.
I still remember the day of the interview.
My father accompanied me to the university. After a long wait, I was ushered into a room with a panel of professors. They asked a few general questions, and before I knew it, I was selected.
I was on the mountain top, basking in the glow of a long-awaited breakthrough. But I had no idea of the storm that lay ahead.
The initial days of MCA were daunting. I had never touched a computer keyboard before. The subjects—Fortran programming, electronics, microprocessors—were alien to me. I felt lost. Only Maths, Statistics, and Economics offered some comfort.
A Spiritual Encounter
During that time, I met Pastor Babu Samuel, who had prayed specifically for my admission. He invited me to his home church: Sharon Fellowship Church, opposite the Methodist Church, in Fatehgunj.
When I went, he was kneeling and praying in tongues with others beside him. It was for the first time I heard somebody pray in tongues. I felt strange when I heard it. I waited for him to complete his prayers. We talked for some time. Then I went home.
When my mother learned I had visited the pastor, she warned me never to go again. I didn’t understand why that was a concern.
A few days later, Pastor Babu Samuel came to meet me at college. Despite my mother’s warning, I accepted his invitation and visited his home once again. That day, I met Robin for the first time. He shared his personal testimony with quiet conviction. Like me, he came from a Jacobite background and was familiar with the traditions of our church. I got some encouragement after meeting Robin and hearing his testimony.
Academic Challenges
Academically, I was struggling. The first semester felt like a nightmare. I spent more time reading spiritual books than college textbooks. Yet, by God’s grace, I passed—with grace marks. In the second semester, we had C and FoxPro. C programming was especially tough. I could barely write syntax during tests.
To improve my programming skills, I joined Aptech computer classes in Manjalpur. When I thought, I would fail in the second semester, I managed to pass all exams. Thank God:)
Spiritually, I was playing hide and seek. On Sundays, under the pretext of attending the Aptech computer class, I attended his Home Church. It was very different from the Jacobite or Catholic church service I attended. Unlike the Jacobite church, there was a greater emphasis on the Word of God after Praise and Worship – which was always accompanied by clapping of hands and speaking in tongues. There was never a moment of silent worship. Coming from the traditional background, I was not accustomed to this new way. I worship in my own way that I was comfortable.
The Pastor’s home had a good collection of spiritual books. As I gazed randomly, my eyes fell “Good Morning Holy Spirit” by Benny Hinn, and “I believe in Miracles” by Kathryn Kuhlman. Until that time, I didn’t know Benny Hinn or Kathryn Kuhlman. I asked him whether I could borrow those books to read and he willingly agreed.
Spiritual Growth
The moment I read those books, I was instantly attracted, like love at first sight. It was beautiful to know about the wonderful Third Person of Trinity through “Good Morning Holy Spirit.” In all my upbringing, I knew only about Jesus, the Son of God, Mother Mary, and saints like Parumala Thirumeni. I never heard anyone talk about having a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. After reading the book, I had an eager desire to know more about the Holy Spirit and experience Him personally, not just having theoretical knowledge.
Following the steps in Good Morning, Holy Spirit, I repented and prepared for baptism. On 21st August 1998, a Friday, I rode my cycle to the pastor’s home with a bag of clothes. We drove to a riverside near a Hindu temple. The water was murky, but my heart was clear. I hoped for a supernatural experience—like Jesus being baptized by John. But nothing dramatic happened. Still, it was a bold step of love and obedience, especially during a time of rising hostility toward churches.
After the water baptism, I had a supernatural hunger for reading the Bible. The scriptures which I didn’t understand earlier became alive. Miraculously, from the third semester onwards, my grades improved. I was doing well in my studies.
A Fork in the Road
By the fourth semester of my MCA, I found myself at a crossroads—not just academically, but spiritually. In pursuit of technical skills, I enrolled at the Boston Tuition Center in Fatehgunj, hoping to sharpen my Oracle and SQL skills. The center was conveniently close to the pastor’s home.
But as time passed, the comfort I once felt gave way to quiet unease. I grew weary of playing hide and seek with my convictions.
One quiet afternoon at the pastor’s house, I stumbled upon a book by Oral Roberts. In it, he shared his personal testimony—his reasons for leaving the Pentecostal church. His words struck a chord deep within me. That moment became a turning point. From the sixth semester onward, I gradually distanced myself from the pastor and his Home Church.
The decision brought peace to my home, but it came at a cost. My spiritual growth faltered. I drifted—slowly, silently—away from God. Little did I knew, the devil was stalking me.
Graduation and First Job
I completed my MCA in 2001, a year shadowed by recession. And still, by God’s providence, I landed my first job at Amtel in Baroda. It was a miracle to land upon a job at the time of recession. Click here to read about the rest of my journey into the corporate world.
