The Arlington Church of Christ in Knoxville learned how helping others can be a global mission.
During its Sunday church service, a successful lawyer from Ghana, Africa shared his story of how a missionary-run orphanage helped shape who he is today.
Xavier Sosu said he grew up alone on the streets of Accra, Ghana. Throughout elementary and middle school, he said he would go to school during the day and return to the streets at night.
In high school, an orphanage ran by a missionary changed his life. The Village of Hope took Sosu off the streets and cared for him all through high school.
Sosu said this gave him a leg up to continue his education through law school. Arlington Church of Christ's associate minster, Tommy Drinnen, was working at the orphanage during the time it was housing and caring for Sosu. The two men have stayed in touch over the years.
Sosu has published several books in Ghana about his life experiences over the years. Now he speaks to high school and college students about overcoming obstacles and the importance of education.
"I try to build confidence in young people that regardless of their difficulties, if they can only keep their eye on education they can rise above their poverty," said Sosu.
Sosu will travel to other areas across the southeast later in this week, spreading his message of hope and perseverance.