Richard Stearns, president of Christian relief organization World Vision, has spoken to countless people worldwide from all walks of life, and found that many express a common concern. In Unfinished: Believing is Only the Beginning (9780849948510, $24.99, Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins Christian Publishing), Stearns observes that believers want to be sure they are living out God’s calling for their lives.

The April 30 release is a book about “what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century,” Stearns told Christian Retailing. 

The book’s title has a dual meaning, he said. It refers to the unfinished mission Jesus gave His disciples: to preach the gospel to the whole world. But it also refers to how many Christians “feel incomplete in our faith, that’s something’s missing.” 

More than evangelism, Stearns said the Great Commission is “really what Jesus always called the kingdom of God … going into the world and showing the world a different way to live, a different way to relate to one another, a different way to relate to God, caring for the poor and the vulnerable and the widow and the orphan, being people of integrity, people of compassion, people of justice.”

However, Stearns writes, with the endless details of everyday life, many believers have lost sight of God’s larger narrative. To help them recover what that is, Unfinished begins by investigating a big question, “What is Truth?” and then summarizes God’s grand story. 

Stearns describes what he calls the clash between “the magic kingdom”—the affluent Christian life—and “the tragic kingdom”—the Christian life shaped by poverty. He says neither reflects the true kingdom of God, which requires individuals submitting to God’s rule, communities governed by His values and people going into the world as His ambassadors. 

Among the examples he cites are Steve Reynolds, who introduced U2 frontman Bono to Ethiopia’s famine, and the Stu and Robin Phillips family, who sold their Wyoming ranch to build God’s kingdom. 

Stearns’ previous book, The Hole in Our Gospel, also from Thomas Nelson, won the 2010 Christian Book Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. 

To order, call 800-251-4000.

Robert Benson, author of 17 books, has written a tribute to his mother and her journey through the darkness of dementia in Moving Miss Peggy: A Story of Dementia, Courage, and Consolation. For practical assistance, the book includes his family’s establishment of a care plan, as well as resources related to the family dynamics and healthcare issues that accompany dementia. Abingdon Press releases Moving Miss Peggy in hardcover this month for $15.99.

Through the viewpoint of Lazarus and in narrative form, Frank Viola recounts Jesus’ many visits to Bethany in God’s Favorite Place on Earth (David C Cook), which releases May 1 in softcover for $14.99. Based on Scripture and historical research, the book brings the biblical scenes set in Bethany to life with additional dialogue and action, revealing Jesus’ views on several issues and highlighting struggles common to all Christians. 

Walking on Eggshells: Discovering Strength and Courage Amid Chaos is the memoir of Lyssa Chapman of A&E’s hit reality show Dog the Bounty Hunter. With award-winning author Lisa Wysocky, Chapman recounts how she emerged from a nightmare of molestation, violence and teen pregnancy to a rewarding, positive life. Chapman seeks to inspire others to break the cycle of abuse and rise from extreme adversity. Howard Books releases Chapman’s book on May 7 in hardcover for $24.99.

Ian Morgan Cron, best-selling author and Episcopal priest, examines the life of Saint Francis of Assisi in Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale ($14.99, softcover). Cron makes the case that the life and legacy of Francis—a life of radically generous living—is an ideal model for today’s evangelical churches to follow. The author uses the format of wisdom literature—blending fiction, nonfiction and historical teaching—with a semi-autobiographical narrative. Zondervan releases Chasing Francis on May 7. 

In Undefeated: Ditch the Poor Choices and Live Free, Allen Griffin, associate pastor and founder of AG Ministries, says the main obstacle between believers and their divine purpose is undefeated sin. He aims to help readers increase in power and effectiveness in their walk with God by ending repetitive sins and vicious cycles without fear and guilt. Retailing for $14.99, Undefeated releases in softcover May 7 from Passio, an imprint of Charisma House.

Author and TV host Guillermo Maldonado discusses how believers can discover God’s kingdom, enter it and expand its dominion in The Kingdom of Power: How to Demonstrate It Here & Now. Maldonado is founding pastor of King Jesus Ministry in Miami and serves as apostle to churches worldwide through the New Wine Apostolic Network. Whitaker House will release the book simultaneously in English and Spanish in two formats, softcover ($14.99) and hardcover ($22.99), May 1.

In Born to be Blessed: Releasing God’s Promises Into the Lives of Those You Love, John Hagee, pastor and New York Times best-selling author, discusses how to unleash the power of God’s prophetic blessing in families. Hagee combines scripture and teaching from his best-seller The Power of the Prophetic Blessing and includes more than 75 prophetic blessings for a variety of circumstances. Worthy Publishing releases Born to Be Blessed ($14.99) on May 7.

Fortune 500 CEO Steve Kubicek shows readers how to adopt an uplifting mind-set in Up and In: Seven Keys to Unlocking Your Potential (Summit Partners). Distributed by Advocate Distribution Solutions, a division of Send The Light, this collection of 42 daily readings presents a self-guided, inspirational tour toward achieving their potential, addressing such issues as uncovering true worth, confronting damaging thinking and habits and developing the tools to rebound from setbacks. Releasing May 14, the book is available in hardcover ($22.95) and softcover ($19.95), as well as e-book.

Latest project: Killing Jesus: The Unknown Conspiracy Behind the World’s Most Notorious Execution (9781617951879, Worthy Publishing).

Why did you choose to write Killing Jesus? We can’t allow a gloss to form over the brutality of the crucifixion. It is the central event of our faith. Everything that leads to the death of Jesus was redemptive. I wanted to tell this story beyond what can be said in an Easter sermon or the usual Bible study. Frankly, it is a very gruesome tale, more gruesome in some cases than Mel Gibson’s film [The Passion of The Christ]. 

Why did you think it important to explain Jesus’ execution in gritty realism? The story demands it. The sacrifice demands it. My gratitude for what Jesus endured demands it. We are told in Scripture that, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.” I don’t want to be guilty of laziness in searching out anything concealed about the sufferings of Jesus. 

What research did you conduct? I relied on scholars in Israel, Turkey and at major universities here in the United States. I also used “old school” scholars like Alfred Edersheim and “new school” scholars like Marcus Borg. Of course, any book of this kind has to involve Josephus and Tacitus—all the classical writers who shine light on the pages of Scripture. 

You did not write this book in your office, as you typically do. Where did you write? I found it too gritty and disturbing to put on the page in my very comfortable office. I know this sounds odd, perhaps even contrived, but I did genuinely write in public places. It seemed fitting. I wrote in Washington, D.C.’s Union Station and sitting with Israeli troops at the Citadel of David, for example. I just had to be among crowds and human drama to get this on the page. 

How is the material organized? It is chronological with several of what I call “periscope” chapters. These are chapters in which I stick my head out of the historical moment and look back over Jesus’ life in summary fashion. 

Will you explain your use of present tense and multiple perspectives in the narrative portion? I did it for dramatic effect, certainly, but I also did it so that the reader can better imagine himself on the scene. Some very wise professors of mine taught me to read the Bible “architecturally,” meaning actually inside the story looking around. It has made a profound difference in my orientation to the Bible. 

You write that the conspiracy to kill Jesus should not be read hastily. Why do you think this caution is necessary? Understandably, we Christians read about the crucifixion of Jesus a bit overly eager to get Him in the tomb. We tend to miss the meaning of what comes before. For example, is there any connection between Jesus driving moneychangers out of the temple courts and His death? I say there is and that it is extremely important, but we often miss this in our eagerness to get to the victorious moments in the story. I share that excitement—I’m a Christian! But every word in Scripture was written for a reason and we should take time understand the meaning intended.

ASK THE AUTHOR: Angela Hunt
LATEST PROJECT: The Offering: A Novel (May 14).
PUBLISHER: Howard Books.

What is The Offering about? 

The Offering is a story about a woman who agrees to become a gestational carrier in order to earn extra money for her family. But problems arise, so she has to make crucial decisions in the course of unfolding events. It’s a story about family. 

Where did you get the inspiration for this novel? 

My agent actually dropped the idea into my lap. Knowing that I have a keen interest in adoption and other life issues, she told me about a trend for military wives to serve as surrogate mothers.

What kind of character is the protagonist, Amanda? 

She’s a young mother, a wife and an often-bewildered member of an extended Cuban family. Since her father died years ago and her mother lives in another city, she’s grateful for her husband’s family’s support. 

How does her concept of family change in time?

She begins to truly appreciate family instead of taking them for granted. She has been “adopted” by her husband’s Cuban relatives, but she doesn’t really appreciate them until much later in the book. Finally she comes to understand that love, not blood, is what binds a family together. 

Amanda is sometimes influenced by her dreams. Why did you use this device? 

Dreams were perfect for this story because women really do have unusual dreams during pregnancy. The experience is common enough that many women dream the same sorts of dreams, so dreams were the perfect device to use in this story. 

What research did you conduct for this novel? 

Obviously, I had to do a lot of research on surrogacy, in vitro fertilization and Cuba. Fortunately, I’ve written other books that dealt with most of the elements of this story, so it was simply a matter of seeing how the landscape had changed, so to speak.

Did you draw on personal experience to write The Offering? 

I am an adoptive mother who waited years for her babies to arrive, so a lot of this story felt very personal to me. The emotions were there, I simply had to tap into them—and keep some tissues handy.

What else would you say to Christian retailers as they promote The Offering?

Surrogate mothers—more accurately referred to these days as “gestational carriers”—are increasingly more common. Unfortunately, many people who investigate surrogacy aren’t fully informed about the process, particularly in the area of what happens in in vitro fertilization [IVF]. I have no problem with IVF per se, but all too often too many eggs are harvested, too many are fertilized and too many are frozen. These are tiny human lives, and we cannot lightly dismiss them. I’m hoping that this story will help people think about all the repercussions involved in these procedures. My book club just finished reading this book, and I was amazed at how the book touched those ladies, particularly those who have had some experience with adoption.

ASK THE AUTHOR: Ginny L. Yttrup

LATEST PROJECT: Invisible (978-1-433-67168-5, $14.99, April 1).

PUBLISHER:  B&H Books.

What are the premise and theme of Invisible?  Invisible is the story of three women, each hiding from themselves and others. Ellyn, a chef, has spent her life hiding behind a layer of extra weight; Sabina, a counselor, is hiding behind a wall of grief; and Twila is wasting away as she struggles with anorexia—she wants to disappear, literally. As the women are drawn together and their lives intertwine, they begin to see themselves in one another and come to recognize themselves as the beautiful creations they are. The overarching theme of Invisible is freedom, which the characters enjoy once they accept themselves as ones created in the image of God. Embracing that truth frees the characters, and us, to focus on the glory of God living within us, rather than on our human flaws.

Why did you write Invisible?   I wrote this story because I am 5-foot, 1-inch and weigh 100-and-too-many pounds, according to the cultural standard. I wrote Invisible because for much of my life, I didn’t feel as though I fit in, or even that anyone could possibly find me attractive, and therefore, I wished I was invisible. I wrote this story because last year, when I turned 49, I realized and accepted, for the first time, that I am created in the image of God! And that blew me away! I’ve heard theologians say that our souls are created in the image of God, not our bodies. Maybe that’s true—I’m not a theologian. But I was knit together in my mother’s womb by a loving and creative God who tells me in His Word that I’m created in His image—His Word also tells me that as a believer, I have His Spirit living within me. Wow! When I considered the truth of those facts, it became difficult to look in the mirror and complain any longer. There is so much more to me than the reflection staring back at me. Ellyn makes a statement in Invisible that she’s never looked in the mirror and seen the image of God. From my experience, I don’t think Ellyn is alone. Nor was I alone in the struggle I battled for 49 years. My prayer is that readers will come away from Invisible seeing themselves as ones created in the image of God and will embrace all that means.

How is this an example of what has been called “Issues Fiction”?  One of the prevalent issues of our American culture is the notion that the models and actors we see splashed across magazine covers and movie screens represent an ideal image of beauty and body shape. As women, we often struggle because the ideal is often impossible to attain. We compare ourselves and then wonder, What’s wrong with me? 

What research did you conduct to write on these issues?  I researched anorexia nervosa first on the Internet and then by talking with women who’ve struggled with that eating disorder. I researched other eating disorders and was interested when I noticed a common thread that seemed to run through all of them—whether it was eating too much or too little. I also used my own experience as a woman who has struggled with my own body image and weight for most of my life. Then I studied grief and its varying stages. Finally, as I do with each of my books, I had a wise Christian counselor read the manuscript to make certain I portrayed the psychological issues in a believable manner. For Invisible, I was blessed to have Marilyn Meberg, counselor, author and speaker for Women of Faith, read the manuscript and offer her psychological insight and, ultimately, her endorsement. I also had the extreme privilege of consulting with novelist and speaker Liz Curtis Higgs as I wrote. Liz, a “big, beautiful woman,” as she refers to herself, advised me on how Ellyn might feel. Liz also wanted to make certain Invisible wasn’t offensive to large women in any way, which was precisely what I wanted to avoid. Large or small, we’re all created in the image of God!

Threads of the characters’ conversations weave together in a way that ministers to each of them specifically. Why did you choose this approach?  I hope that through the relationships I portrayed in Invisible, the reader sees a picture of the way the body of Christ works at its best. God works in and through each of us and touches the lives of those He places in our paths.

Who will connect with this story?   Readers who’ve struggled with their own body image or an eating disorder will connect with Invisible. [Also] anyone who has fallen in love or anyone who has grieved the loss of a loved one will connect with Invisible. Finally, anyone who enjoys a good story—a story of transformation, restoration and romance—will connect with Invisible. 

How can Christian retailers promote?  I am so appreciative of Christian retailers and the enormous selection of books they promote. I believe fiction is a “back door” to a reader’s heart, and when Christian retailers view fiction in that way, they may then consider recommending a novel as well as a self-help book, when someone seeks something on a specific topic.

Latest project:Couples of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Couples in Scripture (978-0-310-33268-8, $22.99, Zondervan).

How did this devotional come about?

Bobbie: This really came out of a felt need with the girls in my Bible study. I teach 30 young moms at my church. … I had been for years listening to what they struggle with—moving, jobs, disobedient children, infertility, surprises, illnesses, circumstances that are beyond your control—and so I felt like zeroing in on God’s Word, and let’s find out what God’s character was, how did He act, how did He instruct couples in the Bible, both the good and the bad, and the thread of His redemption all the way through.

Robert: It’s the third in a series. The first was Women of the Bible, Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda, and we had the privilege of representing them. Our day job is representing authors. Then Ann and I did Men of the Bible and so the third of the trilogy really would be Couples of the Bible.

What is the structure of the book?

Robert: It’s a 52-week experience for couples. Monday is called “Their Story,” and what we do is we take an event in the life of one of these couples. Now it’s actually 40 different couples, 52 weeks. There are some couples that we’ve spent more than one week with because they deserve more time … but Monday is “Their Story,” so we’ve taken a slice from their account in the Bible. Tuesday is called “Their Life and Times.” We had the joy of having a Jewish Christian researcher who dug deep, who helped us come up with accurate data about the life and times of these couples so we’re saying, OK, what was the culture like, what was it like politically, what was it like geographically? Then Wednesday is called “Can You Imagine?” so we’re inviting the reader or the readers to go into that cultural setting, into that relational challenge, then Thursday, we called it “Their Legacy in Scripture,” so the big idea, the issue the couple’s facing, whatever it is, we’ve given the reader a chance to have a Bible study on that subject, so it’s three or four Bible passages and questions that take the reader through the Scripture, back to the story of the couple in terms of the issues that they faced, and then Friday is called “Their Legacy of Prayer.” So now that you’ve spent the week with this couple, how are you best drawn into God’s presence? In fact, it’s interesting because there’s a section in that Legacy of Prayer of listening, so, like Jesus Calling, it’s written in the first person as though God is speaking to the couple.

Did you plan the timing of the release of this devotional?

Bobbie: Just at the point of doing some of the final edits, February of 2012, I went in for surgery thinking it was just routine surgery and came out with the diagnosis of stage four ovarian cancer. So between the hospital visits and the six rounds of chemotherapy, I just could hardly think. I could walk a little bit and I was cared for very well by Robert, but I had a hard time editing, so we asked the publisher if we could have an extension.

Robert: Bobbie had six treatments separated by three weeks. The first week, post-treatment can be a rough week, but you get better and better and better, so we captured Bobbie as well as we could the second and third weeks following treatments to do the editing ... so it stretched it out. From a marketing perspective, most devotionals come out in the fall, so it’s sort of cool to come out in April, and Mother’s Day is the second busiest time at retail, so we think this is a pretty cool Mother’s Day gift. We also think it would be a great wedding gift, and the wedding season starts May and June.