He's a godly Cameroonian medical doctor turned pastor.  He's written many, many books in English, all of which have been translated into French.  Shiloh's library contains several of them, and we highly recommend them to one and all.  He's been to Shiloh numerous times down through the years.  Comes as the speaker for various and sundry events taking place at Shiloh.  Have heard him talk to newly-weds, parents of teens, women on their issues, men on how to understand their wives, etc., etc., etc.  This is a gifted brother with international recognition.  He and his wife have traveled literally around the world, speaking in conferences everywhere.  

In one of his books he makes the statement that it takes three years on average for a new believer to really begin to go deep into their newfound faith.  That captured my attention.  Could this really be true?  I began challenging this in my mind, trying to prove to myself that he was mistaken.  

First I thought of Joseph, our night guard, who came to us a brand new believer.  We never questioned his salvation.  He clearly knew the Lord.  But he was just as clearly a newborn baby.  He didn't know much.  Needed to grow spiritually.  We all began investing in his life.  Growth was slow.  We longed to see him become mature.  We committed to pray for him and to be salt and life in his life.  And guess what happened? After three years of investment, he has suddenly taken hold.  Now he's the one encouraging us in the Lord.  He takes our breath away.  What a joy and a delight to spend time with him. 

Next I thought of Papa Pollycarp and Mama Clair.  When we first met them, she was a brand new believer.  He had not yet believed.  It was obvious who was who.  By God's grace alone, very shortly thereafter he gave his heart and life to the Lord.  We saw the "before" and we see the "after".  But these people have needed a lot of care, spiritually speaking.  They have stayed "babies" for a very long time.  Mama Clair in particular has been easily tossed about by every wind of false doctrine.  But the wonderful good news is that both of them are finally taking hold.  They are growing strong in the faith.  They are a sight to behold.  Guess what?  They accepted the Lord just over three years ago.

My thoughts then turned to many others whom we have known over the years.  In case after case I realized that it took just about three years for a new believer to become a strong believer.  Maybe our doctor friend is right.

But then I thought of Romeo, our fill-in night guard.   A mere three months after he gave his heart and life to our Lord, he began soaring.  Week after week as I meet with him for our Bible survey study, he astounds me with his strong faith.  

And my thoughts turned to a few, very few, whom we have known down through the years, who began running deeply into God, practically before they could walk.    

So my conclusion of the whole matter is that normally, it takes time for each of us to grow up in the Lord.  But as with every rule, there are those rare exceptions.  The point isn't how long or short a time it takes for us to mature in our faith, but that we allow God to change us, and that we become more and more just like Jesus.