I like to start with an introduction of myself. Emmanuel Onyemaechi is my name and I served in

I like to start with an introduction of myself. Emmanuel Onyemaechi is my name and I served in FECA Nsukka chapter as the External and Technical Coordinator during the 2020-2022 leadership tenure.  I was a final year student at that time. Although I finished school in 2021, I had to stay to finish up my FECA service that would end in 2022.  So that's me, and in this post I will talk about what I did, what I saw, what I noticed and what they did to me when I was serving as an executive.

What was service in FECA like?

For some people, service in FECA began when they were elected as excos, while to others, service in FECA began when they first walked into the local fellowship. Whichever case, I'll write about my own experience. My own service in FECA started when I joined FECA. That was in 2014, at FECA Azikiwe Road chapter, Abia zone.  But that's a long story for another post altogether. Because this article is based on my service period, and all the things that I can summarize.

When we were elected into office on the 20th of December, 2020, we were eleven in number and two dropped because of family restrictions and academic inconveniences respectively. After the election, our first week was peppered with meetings upon meetings, and during the same week, we had  our first Congress. Thereafter, we continued with our weekly activities and all. I'll like to say at this point that during the first few weeks of leadership, a lot of us were very passionate about service. Like, too passionate. 

What happens during the first few weeks of FECA service?

It is absolutely normal for there to be passionate brothers and sisters. But for me, I was not interested in being passionate. I was interested in something else: MY WHY. I didn't want to overdo myself. Knowing my why, knowing the reason why I chose to serve, and spend two years in FECA, was more important to me because it would help me to finish well. Because of the intricate understanding that a lot of FECAites need to know what they are called to do, FECA Nigeria organizes a national program called National Leadership Training (NLT). This is a convention in FECA. It's in NLT that FECAites get to receive the first training against the two years ride. FECA Nigeria NLT 2022 was themed, "ABIDE"; it happened in Abuja.

What happens after NLT?

It's after NLT that we recieved our Office Tags After that, we all got home to our respective chapters and continued the work. It was after NLT that we were exposed to so many drills, meant to make us stronger leaders in the chapter. Such drills like fasting, all night meetings, dress codes and its dos and donts. We were also given chapter leadership training again, even after the first one (which was pre-election training). Many of the senior friends visited and enlightened us on how to go about the various offices that we were to handle for the next two years. I was introduced to many former External Coordinators of FECA Nsukka. They were all ready to support us. 

After NLT, we were exposed to Human Resource Management. skills. Very funny. But it's not funny. Chukwudi Victor Ifeanyi, a former president of the chapter, testified to that in his story. 

It's usually after NLT, that a line-up of all the quarterly and monthly programs faced us. From NLT, there would be Freshers Banquet, Save Generation Next, Spread, AND SO ON. I WAS EXPOSED TO logistics and management skills  due to my office and it really built my confidence.  We were taught the benefits of friendship, bonding and hangouts. Because all the FECA programs are are meant to keep the vision burning in us, we just depend on one another for this or that and this creates trust, friendship and love. That's how we did it. However, there are people who would disappoint - I disappointed my leaders at some points. But we kept moving, because others disappointed me too. But love covereth all sins. So that is what kept us moving. Disappointments, clash of feelings, remorse, anger, these are all common phenomena during the two years. Some people even felt like quitting! Yes. It happens. Some did quit. And when these seeming setbacks occur, I would resort to the drawing board: WHY AM I SERVING? Then I would pray.

You can't under-estimate the potency of prayer at this point. Because this is where many people's love and initial gragra would start to die and they'll start missing fellowship, give excuses,  and all that.  So because of this, FECA Nigeria would organize another national program, known as National Leadership Retreat (NLR). This program is for all leaders and members. Senior friends do attend this program too. During our tenure,  NLR was themed "Earnestly Contending", Aba 2022. The aim of NLR in FECA is to  rekindle the fire of God in the leaders.

What happens after NLR?

NLR helped us to became more and more zealous about finishing the task and finishing well. One thing about FECA Nigeria conventions, whether national or regional or chapter meeting, is that when you attend, you will come out and become fired up in your spirit. You would realize how lackadaisical you have been in the things of God and thus the need to speed things up. After NLR, we became more aware that our tenure was coming to an end. So most of the people who had not been doing well, would wake up. They would want to cover some grounds, mend relationships, build trust, and forgive. Because at that point, we knew that the next big FECA program that ushers in new set of national leaders would mean we are  DONE. It is the National Convention. 

I really enjoyed my two years in FECA Nsukka, because the friends, the pain, the stupid jokes and the love we shared will never be taken away from us.