Nigerian student, Amos Tarfa, digs deep to expose truth and encourage others 

God must love irony, for He used a philosophy that arrogantly opposes Him to inspire a ministry intended to bring Him glory.

Going Deeper International Ministries is a growth, discipleship and outreach ministry begun by University of Wisconsin-Superior international student Amos Tarfa, 21. It is a ministry born out of Tarfa’s research on a most unlikely figure.

As a chemistry student with a philosophy minor, Tarfa wanted to better acquaint himself with the life and teachings of Friedrich Nietzsche, a renowned German philosopher of the late 19th century known for challenging the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality. He believed that God is dead, truth is relative and religion is decadent.         

Considered one of the first existentialist philosophers, Nietzsche’s teachings are very humanistic. He hardly seems a likely person to inspire the creation of a ministry focused on loving people and glorifying God. But, in God’s manner of turning the tables, that is what happened.

After reading about Nietzsche’s life, Tarfa felt compelled to write a paper that compared the implications of the life and teachings of  Nietzsche to those of Jesus Christ.       

“When you read the words of  Jesus, you learn there is meaning in life. You also learn God’s plan for your life,” Tarfa said. “Friedrich Nietzsche leaves us nothing valid to believe in.”

Tarfa’s study inspired him to continue finding ways to share God’s love and truth with others. So, on the night he wrote his paper, April 18, on the UWS campus, Going Deeper International Ministries was born.

“We were made to glorify God. If we don’t do that, we can’t find the meaning of life,” he said.

After completing the paper, Tarfa promptly sent it to 100 people. He continues digging deeper to humbly challenge non-Christian philosophies in his college classes.

A heart for Jesus and a mind for study

The road to UWS and Going Deeper was paved by God. Tarfa grew up in a Christian home in Nigeria as the youngest of six siblings.

He attended Child Evangelism Fellowship meetings every Saturday night. There, in the late ’90s, he placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation. He also regularly read an American devotional publication called TOPZ For Kids.

In fifth grade, Tarfa was ranked No. 1 on the National Common Entrance Exam and was allowed to skip sixth grade. He then attended boarding school in Lagos, a city considered “The Center of Excellence.”

But even as a self-described academic nerd and a young Christian, Tarfa said he had power problems growing up. Tarfa admitted he was prideful when it came to most things.

“I felt I knew it by myself, I didn’t need anybody to tell me. I would argue about almost anything,” he said.

In 2002, when his parents moved to the city of Abuja, he wanted to 

leave boarding school.  “I was sick and tired of boarding school. It 

was hard work and many problems. The pastor in Lagos wanted me to stay. I ignored that and went to Abuja.”

Once in Abuja, however, he was turned down for admission by schools, even though he’d always had high scores and never got into trouble. 

He eventually ended up back at school in Lagos and experienced a very rough semester.

“But in 2003, everything started falling back in place,” Tarfa said. 

He even realized his longtime student goal of becoming class captain.

“I remembered that the pastor had said I should stay, but I was too stubborn to listen.”

Going on to Senior Secondary School 2, Tarfa continued as class captain, and in March 2004 achieved the high honor of school captain.

“I served with 53 other prefects that take care of 2,500 students.” 

God used that time to train Tarfa and help him discover his talents.

“I’d been stubborn; I didn’t take correction,” Tarfa said.

But as a prefect and school captain, he learned a lot of leadership skills.

“I think God did it,” he said.

A talent for speaking

After delivering a school graduation speech, Tarfa discovered that he loved speaking in public.

“I love encouraging and motivating young people,” he said.

But after graduation, Tarfa wasn’t able to get into a university. In Nigeria, frequent strikes, high levels of unemployment, corruption and other factors made it difficult for him to gain acceptance,  despite his model student status.   

During those days of unemployment and uncertainty about the future, Tarfa rededicated his life to God’s service. While singing the song, “Our God is an Awesome God,” God spoke to his heart and Tarfa realized, “I needed to get serious about being authentic and transparent.”

Tarfa said to God, “I need to get busy serving you.”

Tarfa determined he wanted to speak and encourage young people to strive for lives of excellence. He began traveling to random high schools, introducing himself to the principals and asking for opportunities to speak.

“I wanted to remind young people that you can be young and still do the right thing,” arfa said.

OOne state school principal asked him to write out what he intended to say, and Tarfa wrote a 50-page paper that addressed issues he was concerned about. He was then invited to speak.

Just as the Apostle Paul urged Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth,” Tarfa reminded students that he himself was 18 years old and that young people could reach for excellence. “I spoke to 1,000 students.”

He also continued speaking to groups of prefects, teachers and parents. Those talks resulted in a published booklet he called “A Handbook for Achieving Excellence in High School.”

Tarfa said of his goal, “I wasn't concerned about changing everyone, but more concerned about the one, two or three who would listen. I just wanted to do my part.”

‘Serving the purpose’

One day, a school principal encouraged him to visit a man named Newton Obaka. Obaka suggested he go to the United States to finish his studies.

“It never occurred to me to go to school outside Nigeria,” Tarfa said.

But after consulting with his parents and investigating his options, he started applying. With many schools to choose from, he found God leading him to come to Superior, Wis. At UWS, he became a pre-med student. But, after the night when Going Deeper International Ministries was born, Tarfa changed his major.

“Life is not about serving a purpose,” he said. “It’s about serving the purpose. Living for the glory of God — that’s the only reason why you should live.”/p>

He addresses issues of philosophy on the Going Deeper Web site and plans to pursue a master’s degree in apologetics and philosophy.

“Science and philosophy point us toward God, not away from Him. 

Being a Christian doesn’t mean you lose your mind,” he said.

UUWS math teacher Heather Kahler works with Tarfa in the math lab. As fellow believers, the two quickly developed a relationship of encouraging one another and discussing apologetics.

“The biggest thing I noticed from talking to him is his boldness,”  Kahler said, “and how convinced he is of what he believes.”       

She noted that while some young people know what they believe, they aren’t able to defend it.

“He’s done his research,” Kahler said.

Tarfa is further developing the Going Deeper ministry with plans to continue speaking, provide weekly podcasts, write articles and publish a new book called “The Pursuit of Excellence.”            

Tarfa also believes in the power of reading and would like to freely distribute “books that make sense” written by theologians he considers mentors. 

Finally, Tarfa envisions a Talent Academy, which would help young people discover and nurture their gifts and talents to God’s glory.

He tells others, “When you find your talent or gift, don’t let anything hold you back.”

Tarfa welcomes opportunities to share encouragement at church activities or other programs. E-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and learn more at the Going Deeper Web site: www.growdeeper.org