Asiwu, Nicholas
Nicholas Asiwu is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
A member of the Africa Methodist Episcopal Zion Church- Western West Africa Episcopal District-Ghana Region, Nicholas served in mission for about four years, guiding youth and holding several leadership roles including national evangelism secretary, Ghana Region; Oti Mission District youth coordinator; and others. He earned an advanced degree in theology.
“My dedication to youth and children’s advocacy, gender equality, environmental sustainability and educational reform runs deep and has driven much of my volunteer work,” Nicholas said. “I’ve engaged in community projects, advocacy campaigns and educational initiatives that align with my belief in fairness and opportunity for all.”
Nicholas describes his spiritual journey as one of self-discovery, growth and surrender. “As I’ve walked deeper into my relationship with God,” he said, “I’ve begun to experience a sense of purpose and calling that goes beyond my own personal salvation. Through moments of quiet reflection, prayer and meditation upon Scripture, I’ve come to understand that my faith is not just about my own personal journey, but also about being a vessel for God’s love and redemption in the world.”
Increasingly aware of the needs and injustices around him, Nicholas has felt a stong need in his heart and spirit to bring hope, healing and restoration to those who suffer. “This sense of calling,” he said, “has led me to explore mission work, where I can use my gifts, skills and experiences to serve others and share the love of Christ.”
To Nicholas mission work means more than doing good deeds or checking boxes off a list. “It’s about being a part of God’s larger story of redemption and restoration,” he explained. “It’s about embracing the beauty and complexity of human experience, and recognizing that we are all in this together. I’m excited to embark on this journey, to learn from and serve alongside others, and to see how God will use me to bring light and life to those around me.”
Experiencing excitement, nervousness and anticipation, Niccholas knows that Global Mission Fellows will challenge him to step out of his comfort zone, to trust God in new and deeper ways, and to rely on God’s strength and guidance. “I’m ready,” he said, “to take this step of faith, to see where God will lead me and to be a part of God’s redemptive work in the world.”
Global Mission Fellows, Nicholas asserts, presents an extraordinary opportunity to live out his faith through meaningful action, and to engage with a community in ways that align deeply with his values. “Faith,” he said, “is about service, compassion and the pursuit of justice, especially for those who have been marginalized or left out of the larger narrative.
“One of the main reasons I am drawn to this program is its emphasis on justice as a central component of faith. I believe that faith, when active, can bring about transformative change by addressing root causes of inequality and advocating for dignity, equity and compassion.”
Nicholas is especially interested in learning more about social justice, environmental sustainability, and advocacy for children and youth. “Working in partnership with community members and other fellows,” he said, “would give me invaluable insights into the complexity of these issues and the interconnectedness of our global challenges. The program’s structure – combining hands-on service, collaboration, and reflection – will prepare me not only with skills, but also with the empathy and resilience needed to continue working in fields that require both head and heart.”
He believes that Global Mission Fellows will prove foundational in shaping his career. “I aspire to work in fields where service, justice and community are at the forefront, whether through nonprofit work, policy advocacy or education,” Nicholas explained. “This fellowship will equip me with the practical skills, cultural sensitivity, and perspective that I will need to engage effectively and compassionately in any community I serve in the future.
“This fellowship represents a step toward making a meaningful, sustained impact – one that I hope to carry forward in my career and beyond.”