The day I found out my trusted deacon was stealing from the youth fund

Two years ago, I was preparing for our annual youth outreach program. We had raised ₦1.2 million from church members, business owners, even some of the youth themselves who gave sacrificially. I was proud of what we were building.

Then the bank statement came. The account had ₦230,000 left. I checked three times. Called the bank. No mistake.

My deacon, Brother Michael, had been the signatory alongside me. He was my mentor, the man who prayed with me when I wanted to quit ministry. We had been friends for eight years. He was the one who told me God had called me to youth work.

When I confronted him, he broke down and confessed. He had been using the money for his daughter's medical bills abroad. She had sickle cell, needed regular treatment. He was ashamed, too proud to ask for help.

I sat with that information for two weeks. The elders wanted to report him to the police, make an example. But I couldn't. The man was broken already. We recovered what we could, quietly removed him from his position, and I paid the remaining ₦470,000 from my own pocket to cover the outreach costs.

What I learned: ministry is full of wounded people doing wounded things. Grace is not weakness. But also, never trust anyone with money alone. No matter how spiritual they look. Our people say if you want to know a man, give him keys to the store and watch from a distance.