When Venezuelan student Eva Marina Orozco Umana enrolled in BYU-Pathway Worldwide , she hoped education would open new opportunities while living in Hong Kong. She did not expect it to lead her to Jesus Christ.
As Eva studied, attended weekly gatherings, and prayed for help with her first course, she discovered greater peace, happiness, and faith in the Savior. Just one month later, she chose to be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
鈥淢y life has changed,鈥� Eva said. 鈥淪ince my baptism, everything has been going well, especially at work. I feel happier. BYU-Pathway has helped me connect with Jesus Christ.鈥�
Learning that leads to Christ
Cassandra and Paul Price enrolled to support their two adult children. While this family of four from Oregon, USA, are pursuing different degrees, they complete their religious studies together, even attending the temple for ancestors Cassandra finds through her family history research degree .
鈥淏YU-Pathway has changed my life and the life of my family,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have to choose between what we do with our lives and what we believe.鈥�
鈥淏YU-Pathway is one of the resources the Lord has prepared for His great gathering 鈥� by helping students deepen their discipleship so they can in turn build others and build the Church."鈥� ELDER CLARK G. GILBERT
The first steps of faith
Faith-based courses also introduced Jimmy Augustin, an entrepreneur in Haiti, to the Church of Jesus Christ. His service missionaries encouraged him to read the Book of Mormon, and Jimmy鈥檚 decision to follow their invitation changed everything. As he learned about the gospel through his courses, Jimmy felt God鈥檚 love and chose to be baptized.
鈥淏efore BYU-Pathway, I would pray to find an affordable school, to have a business, and to be baptized,鈥� he said. 鈥淓verything I asked God for, He always made a way.鈥�
From Hong Kong to Haiti, one step at a time, student pioneers like Jimmy are forging a new path of faithful discipleship that all began at BYU-Pathway.