SAGU student featured on 500 million Dr Pepper cans

Waxahachie, Texas — August 16, 2012 — Thanks to Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) senior Glorie Ndongala, SAGU made the design on 500 million Dr Pepper cans around the country. Next to his picture on the can reads, "Glorie is studying ministry education so that he can build self-sustaining orphanages in Africa."

On August 15, 2012, Dr Pepper released its latest can design with winners from the 2011 Dr Pepper Million Dollar Tuition Giveaway Promotion and Contest. Ndongala won the runner-up $23,000 tuition prize after competing for the grand prize of $100,000.

The pass competition aired during the 76th AT&T Cotton Bowl’s half-time show at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. Finalists tossed footballs into a 2-foot hole in an oversized soda can replica from five yards away. The fan who successfully completed the most throws in 30 seconds won the grand prize scholarship. Glorie made 15 throws, while his competitor, Erin Rhodes, made 17.

Originally from Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ndongala’s family was forced to flee when he was still an infant due to political unrest. Ndongola was introduced to SAGU by his youth pastor Joel Sosa, a SAGU alumnus, who brought his youth group for a campus visit. Ndongola says, “I knew I was supposed to be here as soon as I set foot on the campus.” With only $3,000 in his pocket, he asked Sosa for a one-way ticket to Texas.

College has been financially difficult for Ndongala. But he shares how God has miraculously provided for him each year. "Since I arrived at SAGU, I have experienced one financial blessing after another,” says Ndongala. “To God be the glory. Prayer moves the heart of God, and through prayer, God does the impossible.”

Dr Pepper asked college students (ages 18-24) to post college football and Dr Pepper themed videos that were no more than one minute in length, an original creation, and suitable for publication. Videos were judged on the impact of tuition prize on contestant’s life and overall presentation quality. 

Ndongala will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in church ministries and associate degrees in psychology and bible in the fall of 2012. He attends University Church in Waxahachie. Ndongala has been invited to preach at local youth groups and SAGU off-campus devotionals. Ndongala and his wife Katie will move to New York to work with street ministries while preparing a team to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they will partner with local churches to build an orphanage.

Read the Fall 2011 SAGU Today for more about Glorie’s story.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The University was established in 1927, and now offers more than 60 associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.