Theme: Encountering the Risen Christ
Today, we highlight Sharon Tigga, an NTC graduate who completed her Master of Arts in Theology (Humanitarian Development and Social Justice) in 2023.
Background: Tell us a little about your family background, and how you came to faith in Christ
Even when I was still without form, hidden in the mystery of my mother’s womb, God was already at work. In that sacred, unseen space, He stirred my parents’ hearts, leading them to make a covenant with Him: whether their firstborn was a boy or a girl, they would dedicate the child fully to His service.
From that promise alone, you can probably tell I was born into a deeply devout Christian home. One of my earliest memories, around the age of five, is of my parents gently telling me, “We have dedicated you to God. You were born to serve Him.” Those words weren’t just a statement, they were a beginning. They were like seeds planted deep in the fertile soil of my heart. And as I grew older, I chose to make that calling my own.
My journey with God hasn’t been about finding Him or even coming to faith in the traditional sense. It’s been a steady walk with the One who had already called me His own. He chose me while He was still knitting me together, and every step I’ve taken since has simply been my way of saying yes to the One who first loved me.
Your studies took you to Manchester, and to NTC- a long way from your home setting. In what ways did you feel God’s presence in that time – either on the journey towards study, the people you encountered at College, or the work you did in your studies there.
The journey from applying for my M.A. at NTC to boarding the flight to Manchester was one of complete faith, trust, and dependency on God. I remember worrying about how I would sustain myself once I arrived, and my mum simply said, “The God who fed Elijah will take care of you.” And He truly did. I experienced God’s provision through the incredible love, compassion, and hospitality shown by the NTC and my Longsight Church community. What they offered a stranger like me wasn’t just kindness, it was Christ-like grace that could only come from God.
Adjusting to a new academic environment was challenging, and there were moments I feared I’d made a mistake. But the Holy Spirit gently strengthened me, reminding me I wasn’t alone. While working as a part-time cleaner at NTC, I would often pray over the classrooms I would later sit in, asking God for wisdom because I knew I couldn’t do it on my own. God surrounded me with friends, classmates, and teachers who encouraged me, supported me, and listened when I felt low.
What touched me most was the humility and servant leadership I witnessed in those around me. It was through their lives that I truly saw, heard and felt the presence of God. This journey not only deepened my faith but also shaped my understanding of ministry. The academic experience, along with the witness of life in the NTC community, equipped me to serve with grace, humility, and a heart formed by Christ.
Tell us what you’ve been doing since graduation? Where have you seen God at work in what you’ve been doing, and in where you are working?
Three months after my graduation, I was blessed with the opportunity to serve in the villages of Bangarapet, Karnataka, located in the southern part of India, through a Nazarene Compassionate Ministries project known as WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) as the Project Manager. This initiative is dedicated to improving the WASH conditions in rural communities by providing essential resources, promoting safety, and restoring dignity and well-being.
Throughout this work, I have witnessed God moving in profound and unexpected ways. One particularly unforgettable moment occurred early in the project when I visited a village school to inquire how the WASH project could assist the children there. After sharing our intentions, the teacher, with eyes full of gratitude, said, “You don’t know us, and we did not call you, yet you came to ask about our struggles.” This encounter, along with many others, has made me acutely aware of how God’s love touch the lives of people I had never met before, yet who are deeply known by Him.
During my time here, I’ve seen relationships form and deepen between local churches and the villagers. One of the most moving aspects has been hearing testimonies from individuals who do not yet share our faith, yet openly speak of experiencing God’s goodness through the project. Though we are not permitted to proclaim the Gospel openly or speak the name of Christ directly, the people know, it is the Christians, the followers of Jesus, who are walking alongside them in love and service. And that witness speaks louder than words. And maybe it is in these quiet, faithful moments of service that the seeds of the Gospel are sown.
And what’s next?
Much like my journey so far, what’s next for me depends on how God chooses to lead and guide me. I do have plans and dreams, but I hold them loosely, knowing that His plans are always greater than mine. My desire is to continue walking in obedience, trusting that the One who brought me this far will continue to direct my steps in His perfect timing.
For more information about Nazarene Theological College, Manchester, check out their website here.
