Onyeka Awunor is a fourth-year PhD student in England.
When did you trust Christ?
I grew up in a Christian environment, which shaped my early understanding of what it meant to trust and follow Jesus. My original decision happened when I was about 13. My father had given me a chronological 'Bible in a Year', and as I committed to reading through it, I decided to dedicate my life to God. This is one of the first times in my life when I can honestly say I felt the presence of God leading and guiding me personally. It has given me a foundation to build on and always return to, even through my adult years.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
A recent defining moment for me was a health scare earlier this year. I had to run some tests at my doctor's clinic, and the results came back inconclusive. At my follow-up appointment, the doctor told me to return if the symptoms came back, and maybe then they would be able to diagnose things properly. Because I had been praying for healing and a clear outcome, that response didn’t sit well with me. I told her I would not be coming back for that problem again. I expected her to dismiss me, but instead she asked if I was a Christian. I said yes, and asked her the same question, and it turned out she was a Christian too. The consultation ended with my doctor praying for my healing and wellness. This was a very stressful period for me for so many reasons. In a time when I felt alone and worried, this encounter with my doctor strengthened my faith in God. It reminded me that I serve a God who hears my prayers and never leaves me on my own.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Attending the European Leadership Forum would be highly beneficial to my ministry as I seek to be further equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to serve as an effective evangelical witness within my community. I live and work in an academic environment where human intellect is often elevated above the glory of God’s creation. In this context, I find it especially important to be grounded in a biblical perspective that integrates faith and scholarship. The Forum’s commitment to training and relationship-building aligns closely with my areas of desired growth in this season of my life. I hope the Forum will give me clearer language, greater confidence, and practical tools to talk about faith within scientific settings and to demonstrate that Christian belief and academic inquiry are not opposed. This would strengthen my ability to encourage and witness to other graduate students in Cambridge who are asking similar questions and looking for ways to integrate their faith with their intellectual life.
What is your ministry?
At St. Barnabas, I volunteer with the coffee team and am part of a 20s–30s small group that meets weekly for prayer, fellowship, community outreach, and courses such as Practising the Way. As a fourth-year PhD student, I have strong ties to the student community in Cambridge. I have served on the society executive committee and am currently a student mentor and tutor. Through these roles, I have regular opportunities to encourage faith conversations and offer support to those around me with discernment. Over the past year, I have been intentionally inviting friends to explore faith, including bringing some to my baptismal affirmation and continuing to follow up with them.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
At St. Mark’s Church, Newnham (England, 2022-2023), I was part of the organising team for the 20s–30s gatherings. This involved helping to plan and coordinate regular meetings, arranging social events, and welcoming new members. Building community was especially important, as the church had a very small young adult population at the time. At AVMCC, Ikeja (Nigeria, 2012-2014), I worked with the Youth Church. I helped organise youth events and served on the engineering team. I assisted with rota planning for service setup and, on a biweekly basis, prepared equipment, conducted sound checks, and handled pack-down after services. I was also one of the prayer leaders within the engineering unit.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Individuals may wish to invest in my training and ministry because I am diligent and committed to fulfilling my purpose according to God’s will. God has gifted me with the curiosity and resilience of a scientist and placed me within an academic community for a reason. Scripture reminds us that Christians are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, bringing a positive influence wherever we are. I seek to live out this calling within the scientific and academic space. As a researcher in the health sciences, specifically pharmacology, I desire to be a conduit for God’s work. By receiving training during the European Leadership Forum, I would be better equipped to live out this calling faithfully.
