GONE TOO SOON

LIFE OF MINISTER AUGUSTA UBONG EKONG

"She served the Lord with her whole heart and walked in love with all."

Augusta Ubong Ekong was born September 27, 1972 in the Uyo region of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, to the family of late Knight Jacob Tom Isang and late Madam Lucina Jacob Isang (nee Ekpenyong) - devout Christian parents deeply committed to faith, service and evangelism. She was the 3rd daughter amongst four other siblings. Her parents regarded her as a glorious gift when she was born and named her Ubong (God's Glory}. Truly her life reflected the beauty of that name.

Augusta completed her secondary education at Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. She then proceeded to complete her college career at the University of Calabar, Nigeria where she earned a BS degree in Geology. After her graduation in 1997, she served her country Nigeria under the compulsory National Youth Service (NYSC) program for one year before starting her professional career with the Dangote Group of Industries, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. In 2005 she certified as an Oracle professional.

In 2005, she was divinely connected to her husband, who resided in the US through his brother, Timothy Ekong. After courting by phone and emails for several months, they "tied the knot" in May 2006. After that, the arduous process to join her husband in the US began. Due to immigration changes after the infamous 9/11 tragedy, the visa process seemed to take an eternity. However, through much prayer and harrowing patience, Augusta finally got approved to join her husband in 2009. Upon arrival in the US, she elected to switch career to Health Care Administration. In 2010, she got her first job in the US with the Urban Family Health Center in Chicago, owned by her husband's uncle Dr Edwin Ekong. While working there, she enrolled and completed a course in Billing and Coding at the College of Dupage. In 2012, she joined Molecular Imaging Group as an insurance authorization specialist, and then transitioned in 2015 to the AMITA Health Group. She continued her career there until she transitioned to R1-RCM group in 2021, where she was until 2023, when she undertook a full-time degree program in Health Informatics and Electronic Health Management at Western Governors University, where she was on track to graduate with honors in 2026.

Augusta was raised Catholic from birth and got her name when christened in the Catholic church. As she grew up, she knew there was much more to her life. Her inquisitive mind allowed her to be receptive to friends who witnessed Christ to her at the university. She eventually made a personal, decisive commitment to the Lord and became born again and filled with the Holy Ghost. After her graduation in 1997, she subsequently joined the Foundations Faith Church in Port Harcourt, Nigeria where she resided with her eldest sister Alberta. She got rooted in the Word, love, work and people of God at the church, which framed her spiritual growth and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ. When she joined her husband in the US, she jumped in with her two feet in the work of the Lord at Wheaton Christian Center Church in Carol Stream, Illinois (her husband's church). Over the years, she served in various capacities including the Kingdom Builders Ministry for kids because of her deep love for children; in evangelism, counseling, intercessory prayer and wherever she was needed. She was ordained a Minister alongside her husband in 2019 and had served faithfully in that position.

Because her heart was drawn to deeper spiritual growth in the Lord, she took a bible course at Charis Bible College (Andrew Wommack Ministries) in 2013/2014. Unknown to her, these quests for a deeper relationship with the Lord prepared her for battles ahead. Augusta valiantly fought metastatic disease the first time 2017/2019, during which time she had several spiritual encounters with the Lord as well as angelic visitations. She fought and won the victories by the power of our Almighty God. Though the disease had spread into vital organs and she was given minimal chance of surviving, she stood her ground on the Word of God and overcame. On Jan 1, 2020, she awoke from sleep in the morning and declared "I know I am a new man". From that point, her full recovery was sealed and things changed for her medically. By April 2021, she had an encounter while watching a Christian conference on TV, and shortly after that, scans revealed "no trace of cancer in her body". The second bout came swiftly and suddenly in February, 2025. Augusta fought valiantly but on November 25, 2025, she answered the call to her real home.
Augusta was preceded in death by both parents and her elder sister Emilia Inyang. She is survived by her husband Minister Eno Ekong, their daughter Sharon, brother Jude (Felicia) Isang, sister Alberta Isang, sister Sylvia (Umoren) Umoren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Through it all, Augusta-Ubong Ekong learnt to trust in Jesus. She loved the Lord and supported the Lord's work in the USA and in Nigeria.

"Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord." — Matthew 25:21
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." — Matthew 5:9

A visitation will be held at Wheaton Christian Center, 610 E. North Ave., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Wheatland Township Cemetery in Naperville, Illinois.