Layo lives in London and says of herself: ‘I am joyfully culturally British and of African descent. I fill my time by working in Parliament as an Organisational Development Consultant, working for my church part-time and being an aunty, sister, daughter and friend.’
- How did you become a Christian?
I don’t remember! I’m privileged to have been brought up in a Christian family, and I have grown to understand my need for Jesus as my Lord and Saviour over the years. It’s been a long and incredible adventure being a disciple.
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
You are loved. Keep talking to the Lord.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
Prayer for me is like breathing. It’s just that more often than I prefer to, I hold my breath.
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? by Caroline McCulley
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
My mother – a godly, disciplined woman whose influence has shaped my life.
The large central London church that the Lord used to mature me quite quickly over five years.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
In the West, a huge challenge today is not to see Christianity as a ‘take it or leave it’ lifestyle option. Many evangelicals have almost everything we need, so it’s tempting to pose Jesus as one of many options to fix more temporal problems in our lives, rather than being a holy, Sovereign Lord and Saviour.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
I’m hugely encouraged by seeing people grow in their faith in Jesus over time. I love looking back a few years and enjoying how brothers and sisters (and I myself!) have matured.
I’m discouraged by the opposite! People walking away from the faith or losing their white-hot love for and awe of the Lord, due to life’s distractions.
8. What makes you laugh?
High-quality writing in movies or TV shows. Also observational comedy about the many hilarious ethnic and cultural differences that we live with across the world.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Stay away from identity politics. Identify heavily with Jesus and your most vulnerable brothers and sisters in your neighbourhood or across the world.
10 Which Biblical person (other than Jesus) do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
The apostle Paul. Much of the Scripture I call to mind are his words, so I need to meet this inspired genius.
