As he raised his right hand Friday in the Mercer County Courthouse, Sookoo Singh swore to renounce all foreign authorities and pledged his allegiance to the United States of America.

The naturalization ceremony Friday for the 84-year-old completed a lifelong journey that led him across continents and oceans and through 81 countries, preaching the Gospel.

Singh is the founder and pastor of the Jesus' Soul-Saving Outreach Ministry church in Hermitage; on his business card is an ample description of his life, Bible verse Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore and teach all nations."

Singh, who was born in Trinidad in 1919, said it was the people of Mercer County who made him decide to make his permanent home here. He lives in Hermitage.

"I am very loved here in Mercer County," he said. "The love of the people has given me the courage to stay."