JFC Opens 2026 With Call for Spiritual, Professional Restart

By Christiana Gabriel

Journalists for Christ (JFC), a fellowship of Christian journalists and allied media professionals, began the year with a reflective and forward-looking maiden fellowship on Saturday, January 17, 2026, urging members to embrace what was described as a “Zacchaeus moment”, a conscious restart in faith, character, and professional practice.

The session, themed “RESTART: The “Zacchaeus Moment,” blended spiritual depth with practical career guidance, drawing from the biblical story of Zacchaeus as a metaphor for repentance, intentional change, and renewed purpose.

Delivering the spiritual teaching, Deputy Director at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and JFC Vice President, Mrs. Ugonma Cokey, described restart as a deliberate decision to “start again,” stressing that spiritual growth requires human responsibility alongside divine grace. She challenged members to examine what they are doing, humanly possible, to attain spiritual heights.

According to her, consistent personal prayer, fasting, and the study of the Bible remain non-negotiable foundations for anyone seeking renewal. She emphasized the importance of preparation and planning, urging participants to clearly define what they want to achieve and how they intend to achieve it. Obedience, repentance, and a commitment to walk in a new life, she said, are key markers of a true restart.

Cokey also warned against procrastination, describing it as a silent thief of time and purpose. She encouraged members to set daily, weekly, and monthly goals and follow them through diligently. Drawing from an ambassadorial analogy, she reminded journalists that “an ambassador must play by the rules of the country that sent them,” underscoring the responsibility of believers to represent Christ faithfully in their professional spaces.

On the professional dimension of the theme, JFC President, Lekan Otufodunrin, posed a probing question to participants: Are you doing the right things that God can prosper? He encouraged members to learn from those who have gone ahead in the media industry and to be intentional about growth.

Otufodunrin stressed the need for journalists to master storytelling across different platforms, seize opportunities when they arise, and prepare in faith and skill for the people and causes they pray to serve.

Adding to the conversation, Commissioning Editor, Conversation Africa, Mr Wale Fatade urged members to align their expectations with preparation. “If you are praying for something, you must also prepare for it,” he said. He highlighted the importance of having multiple skills in today’s evolving media landscape and building strong professional networks.