I GET MY INSPIRATION FROM PEOPLE AROUND ME - Apostle Courage

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BASED APOSTLE COURAGE IGENE, THE PRESIDING PASTOR INCHARGE OF ALL NATIONS CHURCH, A PROLIFIC MAN OF GOD, A TEACHER AND A WELL KNOWN INTERNATIONAL HUMBLE, ITINERANT PREACHER, AN AUTHOR OF 6 BOOKS TO HIS CREDIT; IN A CHAT WITH EMMANUEL CLEMENT SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTHOR.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU VENTURE INTO BOOK WRITING?

 I began 10 years ago after I discovered the importance of documenting your persuasions in a book. A book outlives you. 100 years after you are gone, people will still be reading your book and gleaning from your knowledge. So I made a decision to write on topics that matter to the heart of God, and helps us to live a victorious life here on earth.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE WHEN YOU FIRST WROTE?

My first experience was challenging because it was my first. Putting my thoughts, points and paragraphs together in a correlating fashion so I dont throw off the reader. It was challenging, especially with coordinating my ideas and editing the book in its proper format. It took me two years to finish it. I had to put a lot of thinking, get biblical references, and get book experts to help me scrutinize it. It took time but it was worth it. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. There is always a challenge to every first project; it may be a first child, exam or accomplishment. I feel we don’t give up, slow and steady will eventually win the race.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU AND WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOURSELF AS AN AUTHOR?

I discovered the power of a book. A book can go where you cannot go. Even God sent His Son (Jesus) but left His Book (The Bible). I can be in America or London, but my books are in countries where my faith may not be openly received. And some get access to them and read and gain knowledge. Today, I have a great respect for authors because of what I know goes into Book writing and publication. You can easily know a man and his belief system by his books. As I discovered in the year 2007 that I could no longer just preach all the revelation God was showing me, I knew I had to put them into books. The Bible says, “write the vision down; make it plain, that he may run that reads it.”  (Habakuk 2:2)

WAS THERE ANY CHALLENGES WHILE WRITING?

Yes. Ability to flow from one chapter to another looks very easy from a reader's point of view but with tasking for someone who may have done it once, can flow better at the second time. 

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO MANAGE BOOK PIRACY AND WHAT SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT DO TO CURB THIS MENACE?

All my books are registered with the United States Library of Congress, published and printed in the USA and there are laws against such. We have not had problems with that. For the most part, laws are highly respected when it comes to books.

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN SO FAR?

To the Glory of God, I have written a total of six books and am still writing. Namely, 'Revelation and Relationships', '100 Reasons why I hate poverty', 'Forgiveness: God's Roadmap to Heaven', '12 Ironic benefits of an Enemy', 'Lessons from the furnace of Afflictions', 'God's weapons of mass destruction'. 

CAN YOU PLEASE ELABORATE SOME OF THE BOOKS?

Yes of course. "Revelation and Relationship unveils the person of Jesus Christ and brings you closer in your walk with God . It also empowers your hunger for His presence and takes you to a new place in God".

 "100 Reasons why I hate Poverty unveils the perils, the kind of poverty but unveils Heavens plan of unlimited wealth and blessings for the believer. You will learn to be concern not just being blessed but also a blessing to your generation". "Forgiveness: God's Roadmap to Heaven tackles head on the iniquity of unforgiveness in our lives and gives us practical keys to launch a life that forgive like God does. If making Heaven matters to you, this is your book". 

    "12 Ironic benefits of an Enemy reveals the wisdom in dealing with people and how to unveil ulterior motives and 12 things you can benefit in season of ferocious attacks". 

"God's weapons of mass destruction brings to light 14 weapons God has given every believers against our arch enemy(Satan)".

 "Lessons from the furnace of Afflictions opens your eyes to divine answers to some of life's unspoken questions. In this books, you will learn the The danger of discouragement, The twin brothers to Heaven, The accusing spirit, Lessons for Singles & Married, Intensive school of ministry sessions, and lots of more. 

These six written books brings an answer to life's challenges.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?

Overwhelming Passion for the subject matter I'm talking about. I also get my inspiration in the church, due to my day to day dealings with people in the church, its inspires me on what I write on. Pastoring different branches of our Church has opened me up to people from all background which I love so much. I have learnt about so many cultures and their differences. As the name of our church goes; (All Nations Church), it is truly a church for all nations. We have people of different tribes and creed and they are all taught the power of love and oneness in Christ. we are family not because of our skin color or accent but because of the blood of Jesus shared for us all. It has made us one in Him.

AND WHO ARE YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE WHEN YOU WRITE?

It depends on the subject matter being discussed.

 AMONG THE BOOKS WRITTEN, WHICH ONE WILL YOU CONSIDER THE BEST?

Its difficult for an author to make that decision because each book comes with it own uniqueness. Its for the reader to make that choice.

HOW WOULD YOU COMBINE BOOK WRITING AND PASTORAL WORK?

 Its a function of balance.  You can walk and chew gum at the same time. I forcefully create the time for book writing. Mostly done at nights while others are fast asleep.

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?

I believe the thing that makes me more productive every day is by surrounding myself with positive people. I want to shut down around negative people. So, I speak very positively to them. Even if the economy is not doing well, I speak as though it is a booming economy. I always want to be positive. I want to speak about the world in a positive way. I speak about the world as I want to see it rather than in a contradictory way.

HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE COMING UP AUTHORS WHO ASPIRE TO WRITE?

I would advise them to take one day at a time. I would say that you don’t have to complete everything in a single day. I believe in multi tasking in order to be effective and productive. I spread out projects so I don’t burn-out. I love to help people but I need to go one step at a time. I am much better now than I was, I am still learning but I am much better at balancing time and patience. Now, I get more done in a much more productive way.