Nigeria Will Be The Hub For Miles Magazine -- Lfepe

By Ifeanyi Ndukwe
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Bishop Kene Don lfepe

_Miles Magazine is the No.1 inspirational Magazine published in Toronto, Canada_

_In this no hold bare interview with lFEANYI NDUKWE and Ogochukwu Nwaokafor, the Editor-in-Chief who is also a senior pastor of Believers Full Gospel Vineyard Ministries, Bishop lfepe shares insights on his works, pastoral duties including his impacts in the entertainment sector_

*Kindly introduce yourself,Sir?*
My name is Bishop Kene Don lfepe from Ozubulu in Ekwusigo LGA in Anambra state. I left the shores of Nigeria in 1991. I am fully of Nigerian origin as well as a Canadian citizen.

I was called to ministry in the year 2000. Before then, from '97 I worked in a church and was officially ordained in the year,2000.

I am a bishop and the administrative of the lead council of bishops in Canada. I am next in line after the Archbishop in Canada.

Hopefully, I will be appointed the archbishop sometime around July this year.

I am the head pastor of Believers Full Gospel Vineyard and the next president elect ,Rotaract Club, Nnewi branch

*Your work as a Minister?*
In our ministry,we dig out peoples natural skills combined with Biblical principles to create champions, motivate great leaders and transform great people.

However, we have programmes we consider as the keys of the kingdom which houses the annual convention. We also take on charitable works as part of our ministry activities.

In our ministry we base our focus purely on the Word; teachings and empowerment. Because when you teach a man and help him find his potential, find his purpose in life. In a nutshell, we believe the Word of God is a key to everything concerneth life.

*Your other ministry activities?*
We believe as a ministry, you ought to be busy doing something. For instance, Matthew was called as a medical doctor, Paul was a tent maker, Peter was a fisherman.

My job outside the pulpit is the production and publications of my magazine. I am the Editor in Chief of Miles Magazine which has been in existence for 20years.

It started in the year, 2003 and exists in 8countries. Nigeria is coming as the 9th country. Miles Magazine is being launched regionally here. We had done the South East region launching. We also launched in Asaba. We have plans to launch in Lagos next year April, Abuja and other host cities due to the vast nature of Nigeria.

*Can we know the counties identified with Miles Magazine?*

The magazine is in US, Canada, South Africa,Spain, Italy,UK, and Ghana. We actually print in Canada. Last two years, we won an awards as the best inspirational magazine.

Our intention is to momentarily launch in Nigeria in phases because it is the headquarters and hub of Africa. As the headquarters zone, Miles Magazines Nigeria had to have good representation.

*Why Nigeria?*
Because l am a Nigerian. Secondly, when you travel out of here. The country everybody knows in Africa is Nigeria. Thirdly, the workforce and population is in abundance. Lastly, I want to seize the opportunity to contribute my quota to my country.

*How do you balance your time despite your overwhelming schedules?*

I do these things passionately. There is designation for everything. For instance, the Miles Magazine has its structure to ensure decorum and order. Same as the partners I worked with in my pastoral work.

*Were there hard moments while growing up?*
I grew up in a unique family. As a kid, my father handpicked me to serve in the church. Literally, I hated him for being so harsh to me and always dragging me to church with him.

Then I took UTME twice to study law but I was consistently given Religious Studies. I got upset and left for abroad. I swore to never be a Pastor but all that would change during my stay at abroad.

On three occasions, my friends tried to kill me by stabbing me with a 12 inch knife. In that pool of blood, I retraced my steps and surrendered to Jesus.

After that near death experience,I had to leave Europe and relocate to Canada.

I went to church,started as a cleaner,then joined the prayer ministry and there answered the call to ministry.

*Your opinion on Nigeria leadership and Christendom?*

There is a decay in our leadership structure in the past 10years. This is because people go to church without being educated and enlightened to the basic truths of faith and love.

Christianity is not about grabbing,it's about finding a purpose driven life. Everything I do is about empowerment and it comes with a charitable act.

*What are the features of Miles Magazine?*
The Miles Magazine has a Night of a Hundred Star, charity awards and Gala night. Every year there is a project to embark. Last two years, we gave wheel chairs and scholarships. Last year, we gave scholarships to 9 students worth #250,000 each.

This year,2023 we did a project titled, "Empowering the Girl Child" we brought out funds to sponsor a pageantry to support female gender.

Our aim is to reach out to humanity with love and unity.

I combine these works naturally and passionately with maximum support from my wonderful wife and children.

*Any government sponsorship for your projects?*
No major sponsorship. The advertorials on Miles Magazine is a major avenue for our financial sponsorship.

*Any challenges?*
Yes but when you have the right team, you hit milestones. But a failed team breaks morale.

When you put people by favouritism, you short-change yourself and kill your vision. Hence,

I ensure I work with the right people with the right gifts and put them into positions to do the work with wisdom and integrity.

One major setbacks is the rising costs of living especially flight tickets and the presence of dubious persons who want to seize the advantage to defraud you of your money.

*What is your response on the last pageantry held by your company?*

On the sides of certification of participants. We are working on it and it will be ready in due time.

On issue of welfare of models, we tried our best to feed and lodge them in a hotel. Regards the winners being favour-picked, firstly, I never had any knowledge of the judges. I would not be able to handpick my candidates because it's an open competition. However we believe we will get better next time

I always tell my models one thing. The competition is one thing while your attitude is another factor. In pageantry,it's not beauty that wins but character and attitude.

*You are an author and Editor in Chief? CAn you tell us about your works?*

I have written some books namely, Power of Expectations written in 2005 and other works are on the way

*Any advice to youths?*
Find your purpose. When a man has a purpose, such won't sell his future.

Purpose drives the passion to actualise bigger dreams and visions. I always encourage youths and teenagers to be like the artist . The artist sees the end of the product before embarking on it.

The youths of today want to hit big overnight. But that's not good for the health of our nation. Find a mentor who will encourage you to find a purpose. Be disciplined

For the father figures and mentees, develop leadership standards and followup on your stewards.

The principles of parenthood is gone by 80%. There is a system that works in Canada that allows parents to have just two or three children. It's time to stop putting trust on fellow men and focus to training kids accordingly.