Training Nigerian Leaders
As you have read elsewhere, We Encourage began with the desire to provide support for Christ Missionary Outreach (CMO) in NE Nigeria, led by Bitrus and Monica Audu. Since that time as We Encourage continues to support CMO, We Encourage has met two other students who are in theological training here in California. Tribal and religious divisions are tearing the country apart and godly leaders who can mentor and shepherd Nigerian Christians here as well as have influence back in Nigeria is a huge pressing need.
Two students that We Encourage would like to support are:
Chris Gankon
Chris completed a Th.M. from Fuller Seminary in 2019 and is now pursuing a Ph.D. at Biola University in Public Theology. Chris is an Assembly of God pastor and an educator. He has previous training from Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya in Public Relations (B.A) and Master of Theology in African Christianity (M.Th.). Chris has worked as an Adjunct Lecturer at Daystar University, which is a Christianity University with the mission of raising Servant Leaders for Africa and the world. He later went back to his home country, Nigeria in 2011, where he again taught as a Full-time lecturer in a Theological Seminary training both pastors and missionaries for the Church in Nigeria. His passion in pursuing Ph.D. is developing a theory of the Christian mission that will reflect a new paradigm shift in the way mission could be done in the 21st century. He believes that the next generation of Christian leaders in Nigeria should be trained on how to mitigate public issues and concerns in the society by integrating both theology and sociological principles to address ethnic, religious and social conflicts as well as the corruption that is plaguing Nigeria, and Africa.). Chris communicates with many, many fellow countrymen via social media.
In 2020 after several years of separation from his family, Chris was able to bring his wife Esther and their three boys, Ebenezer, Rapha and Shalom to live with him in California. His family left Nigeria fleeing from the imminent danger their community faced with marauding terrorist groups.
This immense blessing in bringing his family here has turned out to also be an extreme financial challenge especially during COVID. Chris had been working part-time in security at Biola but those jobs got shut down. Esther and a couple boys had limited part-time jobs which come and go. This dear family needs our support.
Simon and Caroline Enwereji
Simon Onyemaechi Enwereji was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Enwereji of Umuoshi Avutu Obowo in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria. He was baptized in the year 1974 in the Nigerian Anglican Communion of the then Old Owerri Diocese and was confirmed in the year 1987 according to the Anglican tradition. He lived and studied at the University Jos, Plateau State in the North-Central part of Nigeria from September 1997 to December 2016 where he obtained his Bachelors Degree of Arts in Theology (B.A.TH), a Masters Degree of Arts in Ethics and Philosophy (M.A.Ethics and Philosophy) and a PhD. degree before coming to the United States on December 30, 2016. He says he is happily married with Sister Caroline Chinenye Enwereji, a marriage that took place in May, 2009. He was ordained into the priesthood of the Anglican Diocese of Kwoi (Nigerian Communion) in Kaduna State. The diocese of Kwoi is one of the poorest and missional diocese situated in Kaduna state, one of the states rampaged by the Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram in Nigeria.
After graduating from Fuller, Simon took a half-time job as Rector at All Saints Anglican Church in Hawthorne, CA. In addition to that ministry, he entered a Chaplaincy Training Program which he finds to be a strong calling and he is in his third (of four) segments towards his certificate.
His wife Caroline has invested herself in coming alongside to help a Zambian pastor’s family in Pasadena, caring for a dear “grandma” from Pasadena Covenant who recently passed away, and serving as a worship team member at the church before COVID. Caroline is pursing a gerontology degree at Pasadena Community College but at great expense for international students. Caroline, who demonstrates Jesus to all, is such a delight.
All through this journey since arriving in California, both Simon and Caroline financially care for their parents and family back in Nigeria. Simon and Caroline gained R-1/R-2 visas.
