AHOSKIE – The summertime is a good a time for people to catch up on their reading.

For those out there who like to read for enjoyment, Jeff Pate, former mystery/ thriller novelist, has written a new book: “By the Grace of God I Am What I Am.”

This book is Pate’s first non-fiction work and is a comprehensive teaching on a person’s identity as a Christian and the importance of recognizing this truth to realizing the extent of what Jesus died to give people.

Pate visited Catherine’s Restaurant in Ahoskie for a book signing on July 5 that was open to the public.

He is a former High Point Police Detective with family ties in the Roanoke-Chowan area.

He wrote the fictional series involving SBI Special Agent Clark Hager (“Winner Take All” and “Eye of the Beholder”).

Pate said he had a confrontation with a serial killer and that prompted him to write the novels.

Pate said his first book did well, but his second offering did not meet his expectations.

He left the police department after his first book was published and after his second, his life went on a downward spiral.

Pate became Christian in 2003 and said Jesus called him into the ministry to be a teacher.

Ever since, Pate has been devoted to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and teaching the life-changing truths of God’s word throughout the country.

After becoming a Christian, he wrote the novel, “The Last-Day Apostles: Calling of the Twelve.”

This was an adventure story involving miracles and angels.

After this novel, Pate then moved to writing non-fiction, which he said is more organized than fiction.

Pate said his favorite part about novel writing is that it is fun and he is able to develop characters and thread the plot together.

His favorite part about non-fiction is being in God’s word and teaching other people.

Pate said his books are filled with scripture.

Pate said he started writing by being a reader because he had a lot of stories to tell.

“God is teaching me how important it is to know who we, as Christians, are in Christ,” he said.

Pate also added that he loves teaching God’s word, saying that from the standpoint of writing in the ministry there is no greater satisfaction than teaching through the written word and using books.

“The Bible is the written word, a book,” said Pate.

“It is a resource that we can always have available.”

“God looks on our hearts and sees changes in our spirits,” he said.

“The Bible is a spiritual mirror; you can trust it to tell the truth.”

He also said that as Christians we can see ourselves as blameless, holy, forgiven, over- comers and filled with goodness.

“It is important to see who we are in Christ and see the change that took place,” he said.

Pate is currently working on a second book he hopes to have ready by Christmas.

This book is the second part of “By the Grace of God I Am What I Am.”

“This book is about taking the truths from God’s word and living them out,” said Pate.

“God has done so much for us, but we don’t know what we are.”

“By the Grace of God I Am What I Am” was published by Pate’s ministry, “Branches of the Vine Ministries,” in conjunction with his own Christian book publishing company, Diakonia Publishing.

For more information, visit www.bovministries.net. The book is also available on Amazon.com