Guardian

RECENTLY, Jackson Ekwugum, Publisher/Editor of LifeWay, Africa’s premier gospel magazine and Head Strategist at Jack Neilsen and Associates, a Brand Management Consulting firm, turned 50. The celebration was, however, a twin-event as he used the occasion to launch his book, The Race: Discovering and Following God’s Plan for Your Life, a book that teaches and equips Christians to understand the essence and purpose of the Christian life.

One with broad experience in journalism and media work spanning over 20 years, Ekwugum began his journalism career at The Guardian, Nigeria’s flagship newspaper, in 1988 from where he moved to Abuja Newsday as pioneer News Editor in 1989. He was also General Manager, Concepts and Images, an Advertising and PR firm (1991-1997). Before starting LifeWay in 2001, he was Corporate Affairs Manager, Equitorial Trust Bank.

An alumnus of the Institute of National Transformation, Lagos, Nigeria, Ekwugum has in the last two years, led Jack Neilsen to organised Effective Church Communication seminars designed to create awareness of the branding process, develop strategic thinking by those in leadership, and strengthen the media ministry of the church.

In his latest effort, The Race: Discovering and Following God’s Plan for Your Life, Ekwugum offers heavenly insights into the race of Christian life, what it takes to run, and how to overcome the inevitable setbacks to win the prize.

The Biblical examples and real-life illustrations in the book will help anyone to discover and prepare for each of the three stages of the Christian race, know the seven tests every Christian must face and understand the sacredness of “secular” work. They would also help people to appreciate the importance of following God’s plan for one’s life, avoid the traps of the enemy and make life count for eternity.

“Whether you are called to serve in the business world or on the mission field, in an operating room or a classroom, The Race will equip you to complete the incredible journey set before you, fulfill your God-given destiny, and win the ultimate prize,” the author adds.

Ekwugum understands what many Christian leaders have missed—that you cannot become a true disciple of Jesus Christ just by sitting in a church once or twice a week, or by identifying yourself with a popular Christian movement. In both Nigeria and the United States we have churches full of people and crowds singing praise choruses. But this has not changed either nation. Sadly, our faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. We have painted a veneer of Christian faith on our culture, but it is pathetically thin. And more often than not, our commitment to Christ has been in word only, not in deed.

In The Race, Ekwugum calls for a radical change in the way believers are discipled today. He makes it clear that it is not how we start the race, but how we finish it that matters. Regardless of where you are in this race, or even if you are presently sitting on a bench by the track, he urges on the need to discover fresh inspiration to keep running.

Giving insights into why he wrote the book, he points outs that many people come into the church for many reasons - some to get married, to get a child, to make money, while yet others see it as a place of escape from the troubles of the world. And while none of these things are in themselves wrong, he says the Christian life is far beyond above them. The book, he reveals, therefore seeks to make Christians understand that Christianity is a race.

“The Race makes a clear, Biblical distinction between the multitudes and disciples of Jesus Christ. When you read the characteristics of a disciple, you will be able to tell whether you are a disciple or just part of the multitude. Also, one of the most misunderstood teachings in the church is that of trials and temptations. The book makes a distinction between trials and temptations, and helps the reader to understand the nature, purpose, and dangers of trials. There is something in the book for every Christian, whether they are just starting out in the Christian race, have been Christians for years or are even in leadership positions.

“After reading this book, readers will be able to understand and appreciate their calling and purpose in life, and help them to navigate their way through the issues of life in order to finish well, and finish strong. It is a book every Christian must read,” he says.