Introducing … Chris & Lucy

This Autumn, we’ll be joined by two new CareForce Volunteers: one from Northamptonshire, one from rather further away. First, let Chris Onah introduce himself …

My name is Onah Christian Uchenna. I am from Enugu South Local Government Area in Enugu State, from the South-eastern part of Nigeria.  I was born on 13 March 1975.

I graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT).

After my school graduation, during my National Youth Service Corp, I was posted to Nasarawa state to serve the one-year compulsory service after graduation.  I served with NIFES (Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students).  In NIFES, I had the responsibility to establish student fellowship in Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, north central Nigeria.  To the glory of God, the fellowship is standing firm until date.  I equally worked with the zonal office at Lafia as a volunteeer for six months after my youth service.  Thereafter, I was employed as a senior staff of NIFES from June 2006 until date to cover Ogun State axis of NIFES Lagos zone (South-western part of Nigeria) as Training Secretary to pioneer the work.

I am engaged to Charity Oneyka Onovo.  She is currently pursuing her second degree in Biology & Biotechnology in Enugu State University of Science & Technology.

The future belongs to the youths.  If the youths miss it today, the future will be bleak.  Reinhard Bonke wrote in his book, Evanglism By Fire: “when a young man is saved, a young man and a life time is saved; but when an old man is saved, only a soul is saved.”

Working with young people and helping them to discover God is one of the best works a man can be engaged in doing in this life.  Helping to shape young minds and helping them to discover their potential is something I am passionate about and this I have committed my life to doing.  This is the primary assignment of NIFES - making disciples of Jesus Christ among students in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.  I am fulfilled being a part of this mandate.

Chris

… and now Lucy Clutterham …

Where do I start? I’m Lucy Clutterham, aged 19. A levels are done and dusted, so I’ve put them out of my mind until results day. Meanwhile, I’m hoping to have a relatively stress-free summer, helping on two annual camps, for young people up to the age of 17. I am also one of the leaders of the youth group for ages 13-18, Link, at my church, which I have attended since 2003. It was in 2003 that my family and I returned from Australia, where we had lived for 5 years. We not only emigrated out there, but also returned because of my dad’s job.

Speaking of family, I have to say both my parents have had a huge impact on my spiritual life, as I was fortunate enough to be raised in a Christian family, and so was introduced to the gospel at a young age. I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 7, and, although there have obviously been some ups and downs in my walk with God, I know that Jesus is Lord and saviour, and he gave up his life so that we can know God. I want to spread this phenomenal news, and pray that, both in this next year, and the years to come, I can help show many young people the way to Jesus.

This brings me nicely on to my future plans. Over the next year in Walthamstow, I am really looking forward to getting to know all the young people, as well as gaining more experience working as a youth worker. This will enable me to get on to my uni course, where I will hopefully attain a degree in ‘Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology’. I thank you for the chance to come and be a part of the Walthamstow church family for this coming year.

Lucy

Return to Index for the Parish of Walthamstow Magazine, July/August 2008