Christ Is Life: A Missionary’s Bold Call to Live Fully for Jesus
Missionary Nate Wilkerson shares how radical obedience shaped his faith, family, and the message behind Christ Is Life
By
Aug 4, 2025
NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com)
From High School Graduate to Missionary Author, One Man Pursues Total Surrender
At 17, Nate Wilkerson made a decision that would redefine his future. While many peers focused on college or careers, Nate was already living under a deeper directive. Graduating high school early while working full-time, he sensed a compelling call to share the message that had transformed his life. That call became the foundation for Christ Is Life: Discovering Life in Obedience to God’s Will, a book born not of ambition but of conviction.
His story now extends far beyond those early years. Today, Wilkerson serves as a full-time missionary in Benin, West Africa. Alongside his wife and three children, he leads a church planting ministry rooted in one core principle: total obedience to Jesus Christ.
The Origin of Christ Is Life
The idea for Christ Is Life began in a season of personal growth and spiritual awakening. Wilkerson felt overwhelmed by what he describes as an unmistakable burden to write about Jesus—not as a topic, but as the very source of life itself. The goal of the book was to clarify what it means to live with daily dependence on Christ, not simply believe in Him as a distant figure.
“This book is not about religion,” he writes. “It’s about walking in obedience to the will of God, day by day. When we live like that, Christ becomes everything.”
What sets Christ Is Life apart is its balance of personal testimony and practical teaching. The book includes real-life examples of individuals who pursued sin and faced its consequences, alongside testimonies of those who chose to follow Christ and experienced lasting peace and purpose. It’s a reflection of a core belief Wilkerson lives out daily: obedience to God is not restrictive, it is liberating.
Serving in West Africa: A Life Built on Mission
Now based in Benin, Wilkerson works in a region where Christianity often coexists with deeply rooted cultural and spiritual traditions. His work involves more than preaching; it includes community engagement, discipleship, and leadership development. The environment demands consistency, patience, and a willingness to adapt—all qualities shaped by the very message of the book he authored.
Wilkerson describes ministry in Benin as challenging but rewarding. Language barriers, cultural nuances, and spiritual opposition are constants, but so is the growth of the local church. His family is deeply integrated into the community, and their presence serves as both a testimony and a source of encouragement to others navigating life’s uncertainties.
Why This Book Resonates with Readers
Christ Is Life is not a theological text written for scholars. It is accessible, straightforward, and aimed at individuals seeking practical guidance on living a Christ-centered life. Readers have praised its clear message and honest tone. The book avoids abstraction in favor of real-life application.
One of its key strengths is its structure. Rather than overwhelming readers with doctrine, Wilkerson walks them through everyday decisions—how to choose obedience over compromise, how to trust God during setbacks, and how to align life choices with biblical truth.
For young adults in particular, the message has found resonance. Wilkerson, now 26, speaks from experience. He acknowledges the pressures of modern life and offers a compelling alternative: total commitment to Christ that informs every decision and relationship.
A Ministry Shaped by Conviction, Not Convention
Wilkerson’s background challenges common assumptions. He’s a young leader, husband, father of three, and author. But none of these roles define him more than his ongoing commitment to Christ-centered living. His ministry is not about numbers or recognition. It is about faithfulness.
Unlike many platforms that promote polished results, Wilkerson emphasizes process. The process of obedience, even when it is unclear. The process of building something slowly, with integrity. The process of enduring in ministry, not just starting well.
This grounded approach is reflected in the book’s tone and content. Readers aren’t given a checklist. They’re invited to walk a narrow but fulfilling path. The testimonies within the book serve not as highlights, but as evidence of God’s grace in action.
A Relevant Message in a Distracted Age
In an era when distractions and competing values are constant, Christ Is Life asks a direct question: What truly guides your life? The answer, Wilkerson argues, isn’t found in temporary achievements or moral self-effort. It’s found in living each day with Christ as the foundation and purpose.
The book has drawn attention from readers seeking depth and direction. Whether facing personal struggles, spiritual confusion, or life transitions, the message is consistent: surrender leads to clarity. Faith leads to purpose.
As Wilkerson continues his work in West Africa, his message remains clear. Obedience is not a burden. It is the pathway to knowing God more fully.
Where to Learn More
For readers interested in exploring Christ Is Life: Discovering Life in Obedience to God’s Will or following Wilkerson’s ministry journey, here are several verified sources:
