Mike King

Broken Hallelujahs

Counseling, Grief & Mental Health

“The beautifully fashioned sentences throughout Broken Hallelujahs summon deep contemplation and provoke a wrestling with the realities of our mysterious lives. What is truly refreshing about Broken Hallelujahs is the absence of sentimentalism. With a timely cadence, this book moved me to tears—tears of grief, loss and lament, but also tears of joyfulness and gratitude. Beth's willingness to be vulnerable and to call a thing what it is gave me permission to sink into the profound truth that Jesus Christ shows us it is truly human to sometimes cry out, 'My God, why have you forsaken me?' Broken Hallelujahs ministered to my soul like a balm of Gilead. I love this book and hope you will take care of your soul by reading this astonishing story.”

Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies

Science & Faith

“Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies is an exceptionally important work for youth workers ministering with today’s emerging generation of young people. It’s important because it will profoundly impact the youth minister who commits to really engaging the thesis of this book. It’s important because the content in this book is at the core of how young people are thinking about faith in a world of science. In a postmodern world, which declares that we can’t really be sure about anything, Root’s critical realism rooted in orthodox Christian history and thought rings profoundly true and Christocentric. This book led me to contemplate the astonishing mysteries of the cosmos, the reality that we are even alive as human beings created in the image of God. And it inflamed my passion to follow Jesus Christ in ministry shaped by the relationality of God’s own being and divine action. I loved this book.”

Love and Quasars

Science & Faith

“Reading Paul Wallace's book Love and Quasars will be a wonderful pleasure for anyone interested in the convergence of science and faith. Wallace is a world-class scientist who abandoned his faith for a significant period of time but rediscovered it through the mystery of life itself. I loved reading this book because I love science and theology. Wallace writes with passion, creativity, and wonder. I had this sense that God was delighted with this book the whole time I was reading it.”

Poetic Youth Ministry

Children & Youth

“Jason Lief is a youth worker who is also a deep Christian thinker and theologian. Poetic Youth Ministry is a wonderful gift, not only to youth workers but also to the entire church. Lief addresses the current anxiety over young people departing the church by critiquing strategies attempting to overcome this perceived dilemma. Poetic Youth Ministry fuels the turn to the theological and provokes youth workers to ask, 'What does youth ministry look like in a "world come of age"?' In addition to the rich and profound theological content, this book offers examples from Lief's experience as a youth worker on how to be with young people in Christian community as they discover what it means to be truly human. All youth workers who take their vocation seriously should read this book.”

The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry

Children & Youth

“I am euphoric over Kenda Creasy Dean and Andrew Root's book, The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. We have been perplexed by decades of accumulating and overwhelming data indicating that the Christian church in North America is failing to form disciples among adolescents who stay connected to their churches. Root and Dean skillfully illustrate the essential role practical theology plays as an imperative correction toward authentic Christian formation of young people. The authors describe and advocate for a theological turn that will not only prove to be a key factor in transforming the way we engage youth ministry but also result in widespread ecclesial change. Today's young adults are eager to engage in deep theological reflection that allows them to wrestle with the issues that can truly bring meaning to their lives. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry is a seminal work that will stir up the prophetic imagination of youth workers.”

Wrestling with Rest

Children & Youth

“Please read this book, not only to help the young people in your lives, but for the sake of your own life.”