GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

More than 30 years ago, Eric Henningham was a man who was loyal to his political party and described himself as a 'band waggonist' and 'theatre pest'. These days, however, Henningham will be the first to tell you he is a 'waggonist' and 'pest' on behalf of the Lord.

Eric Henningham has been serving as a deacon at the Church of God of Prophecy at Foga road in May pen for the past 25 years, and started living for God 35 years ago.

"I was a man who could easily be described as a band waggonist. Anywhere a certain (political) party went, I would go there. I used to build firearms, too. One of the times a man crossed my path in the 1980 election and I was planning to kill that man. But because of the grace of God I was able to avoid that," confessed the deacon.

Since being on his Christian journey, the deacon shared that life for him as a child of God has been wonderful. He explained that it has been a great change since he met Christ, because he no longer does things he would do when he was a sinner.

"I was even a theatre pest, but from the day since I got saved, I have not been back into a theatre to watch a movie," said Henningham.

Deacon Henningham said life for him as a Christian has been good because he has a determination to walk good for the Lord. He added that for followers of Christ to serve their master well, they have to make it up in their minds that, despite the distractions, they have to do whatever is possible to soldier on for God.

"One has to have that determination and say, come what may, you will carry the banner of Jesus at all times. Sometimes you will buck your toe and fall, but you will have to get up and move again," said the deacon.

"Prayer and fasting is the key. At my church, I am the leader of our weekly fasting service. So every Wednesday I have to be at fasting. In the early days, sometimes I was the only person in fasting at church, until a few brethren joined me. So fasting and prayer are the practices that keep me going as a Christian. The bible says men should always pray and not to faint, "said Henningham.

Henningham believes that, if the people of god pray without ceasing and have Christ on their mind all the time, he (God) will see us through, because he is indeed a good God.

Like many Christians, the deacon's favourite bible verse is Phillipians 4:13. His favourite song is ' when am growing old and feeble, stand by me'.

He loves that song because, according to him, he is getting older each day and physical strength will not always be the same. So he uses that song as a prayer, asking God to stand by him as he gets old.

"If you are growing old and you do not have a firm foundation, that will be frightening," said the deacon.

Deacon Henningham is calling on all gunmen to put down their weapons and start to live a Christian life for their Maker.

"Crime is not the answer. Put down the gun, turn to Jesus and he will work a way out for you. God is a way maker. I was turning to the gun, but Jesus saved me in time. The same thing that he has done for me, he will do it for the gunman also," said the deacon.

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