Martin Saunders

The Gift of Hard Things

Christian Living

“Mark knows how to tell stories and share ideas that pull at the soul. He writes about faith in a way that makes perfect, comforting sense while taking us to often uncomfortable new places. This constantly surprising, intricately constructed book is a gift to anyone who has ever sat and wondered at the profoundly, heartbreakingly, tragically beautiful nature of life and asked: How on earth do I make sense of it all? Mark might not have all the answers, but he makes a fine traveling companion as we wrestle with the biggest questions of all.”

Youth Beyond the Developmental Lens

Children & Youth

“Few thinkers challenge my thinking and practice as deeply and consistently as Wes Ellis. This book is a case in point: he makes a compelling argument, infused with personal passion, that youth ministry might have some of its priorities out of order. Ellis offers an illuminating critique of the subconscious attitudes that pervade and guide churches and youth ministries the world over. He argues convincingly that if we focus only on developing young people along some kind of discipleship production line, we risk overlooking the wonder of God's mysterious work among young people even when they don't behave as we're hoping or realize some kind of preestablished potential. After all, if we're called to follow the biblical example that goes after the one, why do we so often only make room for the conforming ninety-nine? This challenging book will invite you to reflect deeply on everything you thought you knew youth ministry was for.”