Steven Onofiok

I grew up in Oron, Nigeria and attended the University of Nigeria at Nsukka (UNN) where I received an undergraduate degree in Soil Science. I also hold a Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Soil Science from the University of California, Davis, Ca. Following my doctorate degree in 1983, I began an academic career in Nigeria at UNN where I taught for 9 years and rose to the rank of a Senior Lecturer. In 1992, I left the university on sabbatical to serve as a director in a federal government agency (still in Nigeria), then retired voluntarily from full time teaching in 1996. Following my retirement from full time university teaching, I continued to work at the Agency until I relocated to Georgia, USA, in 1998 with my family. It was here that I embraced the opportunity to fulfil my long-standing desire to be trained as a Christian Counselor.

The desire to serve in the Lord’s vineyard was stirred up in me shortly after I received my salvation in 1989 and experienced miraculous deliverances from several addictive habits. I remember then, in moments of reminiscing that if my salvation had occurred when I was still studying in the US, 6 years prior, I would have acquired a Bible College education in addition to the one I received from the secular university. The Lord granted my heart’s desire when I finally moved back to the US in 1998.

I have lived in Lawrenceville, Georgia since relocating to the US and in 2004 I enrolled in Luther Rice Seminary at Lithonia, Georgia, and received a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling in 2006. While in the seminary the Lord made me aware of my need for inner healing from deep wounds in my soul because of identity crisis/insecurity I struggled with from birth. I knew I was God’s child conceptually but not experientially. Consequently, I could not live out who I truly was, and as a result, experienced many failures and defeats in my daily walk. I lived believing that my worth depended upon my performances which, for most times, were poor and disappointing. I was broken and came to the end of myself. The change came when I had an encounter with dear Holy Spirit. I experienced deep cleansing, understood, and appropriated my identity in Christ, as a child of God. The Scripture in Galatians 2:20 came alive in me, knowing Christ as my life and moment-by-moment experiencing that life by trusting Him to live it through me. Not only that, but also, I received the empowerment from Holy Spirit to share my experiences and comfort to help God’s children that He brings to me. So, there began my journey as a pastoral counselor.

As a pastoral counselor I have served in a few Christian counseling ministries in of Georgia, including Christian Families Today in Newnan, Christian Life Today in Eatonton, Healing Grace Ministry International in Hoschton, and currently here in Lifewell Ministries.

My journey so far and beyond would not be possible without the enabling grace of God and the support from my family: my gracious wife Koyo, my precious children, Bobby (son), Koko, Ekama, and Ime (daughters). I am grateful to my family but most importantly, for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment upon which I continually depend for my remaining journey on this side of eternity.

Professional Organization Affiliations

Prepare Enrich Premarital & Marriage Assessment: Certified Facilitator