Eric Yao

Growing up in Ghana in the 1980s Eric was a self-described ‘party guy’. But thanks to the persistent witness of a local pastor all that was to completely change. One evening Eric felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and after a night of struggle, he attended church the next morning and gave his life to Jesus.

Since then, he has lived in multiple countries and worked in the private and public sectors. Over the past few years Eric has felt the Lord leading him to devote his life to sharing the hope he has discovered in Jesus with others.

Eric says, “It is the mandate of every believer to tell the world about Jesus. It is not the preserve of a few chosen people but everyone who believes in Jesus and has dedicated their lives to Him.”

Eric is a missionary working in Lewisham. Although he has encountered some resistance to the gospel in this role he perseveres because of his own experience of rejecting the witness of his local pastor for a long time. He continues to sow gospel seeds and leaves the results with the Holy Spirit.

Eric would like to see a move of God amongst the diaspora communities, primarily made up of people who have moved from, or identify with, another part of the world. Thanks to completing his university studies in Poland, Eric speaks fluent Polish. He works with Word of Life Church in Grove Park and Shalom Life Changers Ministries International in New Cross Gate where he has helped set up a music ministry to young people.

There are a lot of needs in Lewisham. It is a large borough with lots of migrants. Families have been badly hit by the cost-of-living crisis, and young people lack activities to keep them busy after school and people who will mentor them. A number of churches are limited by not having their own buildings and rent halls or rooms in buildings but eric and the team are finding creative ways to support them in evangelism.

Eric’s vision is to see Lewisham stand for Jesus. He would also like to see churches and church leaders work together and collaborate more effectively.

Eric is married with two children. His wife, Nana, is a Professor Paediatric Cardiologist and his children are Michelle, 26 and Jason, 24. He loves sports, particularly soccer, athletics and field hockey. He also loves music and plays acoustic drums and keyboard.