The Great Discovery: Our Journey to the Catholic Church

by Ulf Ekman, Birgitta Ekman

Ulf and Birgitta Ekman are no strangers to controversy. As a Lutheran priest at Uppsala University in the 1980s, Ulf was a leader of a student revival that resulted in his very public separation from the Church of Sweden. With his wife, Birgitta, he founded Word of Life, a large Pentecostal church that attracted thousands of members and planted churches and Bible schools around the world. Word of Life became the first "mega-church" in the country, and Ulf Ekman became Sweden's most prominent Christian leader. Being well-known Christian leaders in one of the world's most secular countries brings many challenges. The Ekmans were constantly in the crosshairs of the media, who were critical of what they dubbed a "prosperity gospel". But the biggest criticisms would come from within the Christian church when the Ekmans answered the persistent call to join the Catholic Church. The news of their leaving Word of Life Church to become Catholics was a bombshell in Sweden. In The Great Discovery the Ekmans tell the amazing, inspirational story of their road to Rome, from their own intense opposition to Catholicism to meeting with Pope Francis. The result is an instant classic of Christian autobiography.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Christianity, Catholic

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Edel Irén · Rating 4 out of 5]

It surprised me how much I enjoyed reading this book. It was a gift so I mostly read it to be polite in the beginning. Most of all I learned more about the church I grew up in than I did about the Catholic church (after three years of catholic theology that part was not new to me). It brought me closer to my parents, reading about all the things they've been a part of in their years in Word of Life. I recommend it for everyone that's curious of the Catholic church or of what the evangelical charismatic movement has been doing over the years.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and engaging read. The authors recount their spiritual journey from Protestantism to Catholicism. Toward the end the narrative drags somewhat, however it maintained my interest. This work is recommended.

[Candace Simar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Ulf Ekman's journey into the Catholic Church much paralleled my own experience. A must read for all who are searching for God.

[Carol Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

No stones

Gently written to give guidance and answers to non Catholic readers. Traveled the world sharing with readers their great discoveries.

[Felix Leminen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insiktsfull och modig biografi av Ulf och Birgitta Ekman.

[Mary Marsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

After living seven years in a Catholic country as a Protestant, this book and Anne Rice's, Called Out of Darkness, have made the greatest sense to me in understanding my Catholic husband and the culture in our small Spanish city. Additionally, The Great Discovery, which we read in Spanish, has impacted and challenged me to dig deeper into my own faith that was established in my heart since I was a child.
The biggest area of importance, alongside the Ekman's compelling and well-thought out reasons for embracing the Catholic Church after being at the forefront of the Protestant Evangelical and Non-denominational movement, is their strong commitment to Christian Unity and Ecumenical principals with which I fully identify. My hat is off to them and their ministry along every discovery and turn! An excellent autobiography in which we hear from both of them.
I highly recommend this book, The Great Discovery, available in English & Spanish for everyone interested in Christian matters.
"Ulf and Birgitta Ekman are no strangers to controversy. As a Lutheran priest at Uppsala University in the 1980s, Ulf was a leader of a student revival that resulted in his very public separation from the Church of Sweden. With his wife, Birgitta, he founded Word of Life, a large Pentecostal church that attracted thousands of members and planted churches and Bible schools around the world. Word of Life became the first "mega-church" in the country, and Ulf Ekman became Sweden's most prominent Christian leader.

Being well-known Christian leaders in one of the world's most secular countries brings many challenges. The Ekmans were constantly in the crosshairs of the media, who were critical of what they dubbed a "prosperity gospel." But the biggest criticisms would come from within the Christian church when the Ekmans answered the persistent call to join the Catholic Church. The news of their leaving Word of Life Church to become Catholics was a bombshell in Sweden.

In The Great Discovery the Ekmans tell the amazing, inspirational story of their road to Rome, from their own intense opposition to Catholicism to meeting with Pope Francis. The result is an instant classic of Christian autobiography."

[Tigeress Lambie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a testimony of a journey of faith of two prominent protestant ministers to Catholic faith from a strongly anti-catholic perspective through ecumenism and greater understanding to becoming catholic.

[Tigeress Lambie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to read, however, it is difficult for me to remember the main ideas after a few months. It is a story of how a couple of protestant leaders entered the Catholic Church after they retired. I will probably come back to it.