Crystal Nwachu’s journey with Central Presbyterian Church began in 2014, but she joined as a part-time staff member in 2018, taking on the role of Discipleship and Missions Administrative Coordinator. But for Crystal, this position is more than just a title—it’s a calling shaped by her personal story and her connection to the church’s mission work.
As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants who came to the U.S. in the 1970s for their education, Crystal was raised to see things through a global lens. Her parents’ faith journey deeply influenced her spiritual path. She grew up in youth ministry, being nurtured by wise elders, and knowing God and Christ, but it wasn’t until her early twenties that she started to dive deeper, studying the Bible and nurturing a faith that would guide her life and work. It was during that time that she moved to the Washington, D.C., area and was discipled by several Young Adult ministries. She made lifelong friendships and was challenged to learn what it meant to live out her faith intentionally and engage people across many cultures.
Crystal organizes the Serve Central hub in Central’s concourse, making available information on the 39 missionaries who are supported by Central members. Newsletters from missionary partners, globally and locally, are available in the library. Many times a year, Central is bubbling over with collections for local agencies such as food for Thanksgiving baskets for needy families through ACTC (Assistance Center of Towson Churches), new clothes and toiletries for people at Helping Up Mission, and Cuirim care boxes for children in Nogales, Mexico.
In addition to helping to organize activities such as serving at First Fruits farm and the Fall Clothing Drive at Central, Crystal assists with logistics and tech help for small groups and discipleship events as needed. This Fall, she also co-led a WOW (Women on Wednesday) group with Sue Hula, highlighting missions, and arranged for many visiting missionaries to share their stories with the group.
When Crystal was asked what her favorite things about working at Central are, she was eager to share. Some of her comments about working at Central are the following:
Crystal has been married to Jay for 10 years and they have two young children, a son who is in 3rd grade, and a daughter who is in Pre-K. They met in Washington, D.C., but grad school and marriage brought Crystal to Baltimore to join Jay. Something that currently excites her is her participation in the Coracle Fellowship, a local group that focuses on “Spiritual Formation for Kingdom Action”.
Her life verse is Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
To contact Crystal about outreach, email her at crystal@centralpc.org.
