Father Emmanuel Chukwunwike is from Nigeria, West Africa. He was born on October 30, 1963. He hails from Ezi in Aniocha North Local Government Area (i.e County) of Delta State. Father Emmanuel is from the Diocese of Issele-Uku in the Delta State in Nigeria. Providentially, his home town Ezi in the Diocese of Issele-Uku (Located in Aniocha-North Local Government Area or County of Delta State) produced the First Catholic Priest in West Africa; namely, the late Fr Paul Emechete (Born in 1888, ordained priest in 1920 and died in 1948). His home bishop, Bishop Michael Elue, gave him to serve as a missionary in the Diocese of Orlando.

After his High School career at St. Anthony's College, Ubulu-Uku in Delta State, he studied and obtained a Diploma in Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Asaba, Delta State. After a brief teaching career (teaching Economics, Agriculture and Fine Arts), he received and 'hesitantly' accepted the calling to the Priesthood. Accordingly, in October 1986, Father Emmanuel entered a Seminary Spiritual Year Program at St. John of the Cross Seminary in Ekpoma in Edo State. In 1987 he later proceeded to the Major Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul Bodija-Ibadan (Oyo State, Nigeria) where he studied for the priesthood for seven years. At the completion of his seminary formation, he was named Best Seminary Student of the Year for 1994, an award instituted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (Lagos Province). He was ordained a deacon on December 26, 1993, and ordained a priest on August 20, 1994.

Fr Emmanuel originally came to the USA in 2002. He earned a Master's Degree in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Father spent one summer visiting at Our Lady of Grace Church in Palm Bay. Upon completing his degree in 2004, Father then joined the Diocese of Orlando and was appointed as Parochial Vicar at St. Jude Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida. In August 2005, Father Emmanuel returned to Nigeria and served as Pastor at St. Brigid's Catholic Church in Asaba. In October, 2006 Father Emmanuel returned to the United States, to the Diocese of Orlando, as Parochial Vicar at St. James Cathedral. On July 1st 2008, he was appointed Parochial Adminstrator ("Pastor") of St. John the Baptist Catholic Community, Dunnellon. He is also the Coordinator for the African Catholic Community in Orlando Diocese.

Fr Emmanuel has a deep love and unquestionable conviction for the Teachings of Jesus Christ and his Church as found in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. He loves organizing Bible Studies Programs and Doctrinal Teachings (animated with lively songs and hymns of praise under the influence of St. Augustine of Hippo: "The one who sings prays twice"). His spiritual life is largely influenced by St. Paul Apostle and St. Augustine (for their courageous witness, personal life simplicity, openness and humility), St. Bernard of Clairvaux (his ordination patron saint and the principal 'player' in the 12th Century Church), St. Francis of Assisi (who received the vision: 'Go and Rebuild my Church which is falling into ruins), St. Padre Pio (for his faith commitment and great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Rosary), St. Faustina Maria Kowalska (for Divine Mercy devotion), Pope John Paul II (the main protagonist of the New Evangelization) and Pope Benedict XVI (for clarity of the presentations of the mysteries of our faith). His late father, Damian Daniel Akalue was instrumental to his love for praying of the Psalms (his favorite prayer) and committing some Psalms and other prayers to memory.

Since his ordination, he has acquired some level of pastoral experience. Among others, he served as Director, Emmaus School of Catholic Evangelization (the Mother School of Evangelization in Nigeria), Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor of Issele-Uku Diocese, and as Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community, Onicha-Olona. He also served as Chaplain and Director in various pastoral capacities: Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (Issele-Uku Diocese), Delta State Catholic Youth Corp Members, Diocesan Education Commission and the Diocesan Pastoral Center. And he worked as a member in various commissions especially the Biblical Commission and the Inculturation Commission.

Father Emmanuel's hobbies include reading, writing, painting (Fine Arts), and playing tennis. He published a Book, "The True Church of Christ - A Theological Discernment of God's Will for His Church" in 2006 intended as a part of a series of intended publication with the overall title, "By their Fruits..." He has a mother figure - Mrs Lotte Glasscock - at Ocala in Florida. We welcome you, Father Emmanuel, and look forward to the spiritual guidance and wisdom you will share with the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Catholic Community and all who visit the community . .