I am Emmanuel Onyemaechi, and I served in the FECA Nsukka chapter as the External and Technical Coordinator during the 2020-2022 leadership tenure. I was a final-year student at the time. Although I finished school in 2021, I stayed on to complete my FECA service, which ended in 2022. In this post, I will discuss what I did, what I saw, what I noticed, and what they did to me while serving as an executive.

Service in FECA

For some, service in FECA began with their election as executives, while for others, it started when they first walked into the local fellowship. Whichever the case, I will share my own experience. My service in FECA started when I joined in 2014 at FECA Azikiwe Road chapter, Abia zone. That is a long story for another post. This article focuses on my service period and key takeaways.

When we were elected on December 20, 2020, we were eleven in number, but two dropped out due to family restrictions and academic inconveniences. Our first week involved meetings upon meetings, plus our first Congress. We then continued weekly activities. In the initial weeks, many of us were very passionate about service—too passionate.

Early Weeks of Leadership

Passionate brothers and sisters are normal at the start. For me, passion was secondary to my "why"—the reason I chose to serve for two years. Knowing my purpose helped me finish well. To clarify callings, FECA Nigeria runs the National Leadership Training (NLT), a key convention providing initial training. FECA Nigeria NLT 2022 was themed "ABIDE" and held in Abuja.

Post-NLT Phase

After NLT, we received our office tags. Back in chapters, we faced drills like fasting, all-night meetings, dress codes, and dos/don'ts. We had chapter leadership training post pre-election sessions. Many senior friends visited, guiding us on various offices. Former External Coordinators of FECA Nsukka offered support. Post-NLT introduced Human Resource Management skills. Chukwudi Victor Ifeanyi, a former chapter president, testified to this.

A lineup of programs followed: Freshers Banquet, Save Generation Next, Spread, and more. My role built my logistics and management skills, boosting confidence. We learned benefits of friendship, bonding, and hangouts. FECA programs sustain the vision through mutual dependence, fostering trust, friendship, and love.

Disappointments happen—I disappointed leaders sometimes, and others disappointed me. Love covers all sins, keeping us moving. Clashes, remorse, anger are common; some wanted to quit, and some did. I returned to my "why" and prayed. Prayer is potent when initial zeal fades, leading to missed fellowships and excuses.

FECA Nigeria then holds the National Leadership Retreat (NLR) for leaders and members, attended by seniors. Our NLR was themed "Earnestly Contending," Aba 2022, aimed at rekindling God's fire.

After NLR

NLR made us zealous to finish well. FECA conventions—national, regional, or chapter—fire up attendees, exposing lackadaisical attitudes and urging acceleration. Post-NLR, with tenure ending, laggards woke up to cover grounds, mend ties, build trust, and forgive. The next event ushering new leaders is the National Convention, signaling our end.

I enjoyed my two years in FECA Nsukka—the friends, pains, jokes, and love remain forever.