You Found Me

Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year Many bemoan the decline of the church. We hear a steady stream of reports about how droves of people, especially younger generations, are abandoning Christianity. But new research shows that unchurched Americans are surprisingly more receptive and open to the Christian faith than is commonly assumed. Researcher and practitioner Rick Richardson unveils the findings of the Billy Graham Center Institute's groundbreaking studies on the unchurched. A study of 2000 unchurched people across the country reveals that the unchurched are still remarkably open to faith conversations and the church. Even unchurched "nones" and millennials are quite receptive if they are approached in particular ways. In this book you will also find best practices from further research into the top ten percent of churches that most effectively reach the unchurched. People who were previously unchurched share what actually moved them to faith and Christian commitment. And the research shows that churches and organizations can be transformed to become places where conversion growth becomes the new normal. If people tell you "the sky is falling," don't believe them. In today's troubled world, unchurched and unbelieving people are newly receptive to hearing good news. You can lead the change that will help your church reach people—who then reach others.

By the time Keith was 17 years old, his rap sheet included DUI, possession of narcotics and intent to distribute (that’s drug dealing). He was emaciated from drug use, dirty and rumpled, and under house arrest awaiting trial. That’s when a stranger paid him a visit, sitting down in his filthy room to touch his gaunt shoulder and pray. Maybe you are facing circumstances even worse than Keith’s. Maybe you’ve made choices that have hurt you and the people around you. Maybe your family has failed or damaged you, leaving scars you’re sure will never heal. Or maybe you just can’t bring yourself to care anymore, because you’ve forgotten how to dream big. How ever lost you are, you have not been abandoned—a relentless God is pursuing you. You Found Me is Keith’s story of a tragic life redeemed, but it’s more than that: It’s the story of anyone willing to be found.

The BRAND NEW novel 'Stayed with me long after I'd finished reading.' Mike Gayle, BESTSELLING author of The Man I Think I Know 'Loved this - a compassionate and very timely book about how we treat each other.' Eva Woods, BESTSELLING author of How to be Happy 'Touching and poignant, I really enjoyed this and found it hard to put down.' Cathy Hopkins, BESTSELLING author of The Kicking the Bucket List 'Original, poignant and heart-warming' Sadie Pearse, author of This Child of Ours Perfect for fans of Julie Cohen, Harriet Evans and Rowan Coleman. ******************************************** Life is all about new beginnings Early one summer morning Isabel and her eleven-year-old daughter River walk across Regent's Park. They come across a rain-soaked man sitting alone on a bench and ask him if he's okay. But he doesn't know. In fact he doesn't know the answer to any of their questions - not even his own name. Urged on by her daughter Isabel takes the man to the hospital she works at, hoping that will be the end of it. But when the tests show there's nothing physically wrong with him, and yet he still can't remember who he is, she realises she can't walk away. Isabel made a promise to River that they would help this man, but with no way to identify him Isabel begins to worry about what he past secrets his memory loss might be hiding. Can they trust him? Why do readers LOVE Virginia Macgregor? 'I defy you not to fall in love . . . a future classic' Clare Mackintosh 'Will delight you but break your heart several times over' Sun 'I couldn't put this insightful, compelling novel down' Woman & Home 'Might restore your faith in human nature' Bella 'Deeply satisfying' Sarra Manning, Red 'Sharp, funny and hugely moving . . . a must read' Fabulous 'Warm, wise and insightful' Good Housekeeping 'Beautifully written and thought-provoking, this is a brilliant read' Sun 'This wonderful story will tear at your heart.' My Weekly 'Brilliant!' Heat 'A poignant and very clever read' Company 'A truly heart-warming story of family, love and loyalty' Daily Express 'An astonishingly brilliant novel' Australian Women's Weekly 'A touching look at the meaning of motherhood' Good Housekeeping 'A challenging and moving story about the power of love' Image 'Absolutely delightful . . . Everyone should read this book!' Novelicious 'Written with plenty of heart' Sunday Mirror 'An emotional and powerful family drama' Heat 'So engaging and powerful' Press Association 'Layered and lyrical' Irish Independent

Amy is a typical teenager at Bethel Christian School. She's popular and always has a party to attend. So, why does life feel so empty? Why is it so hard to get out of bed every morning? After a bad grade in math and finding out her parents are getting a divorce, Amy makes a choice that will change her life forever. Brad has everything he could possibly want—wealth, popularity, a scholarship to the college of his choice. But what does it all mean? Where is his life headed? His choices have serious effects on people around him, but Brad is set on a path of destruction that may just end up destroying his bright future. When Amy and Brad find themselves at the same ranch for some hard labor, they soon find that a lot of their struggles are very similar. Can God change them and set them on the right path, or are they destined to be lost forever? On the road to redemption, these two may just find what they are looking for and finally be healed from the pain of their past.

Is it ever alright to kidnap a child? With breath-taking suspense, Before You Found Me emotionally explores the fine line between right and wrong in an enduring story of found family and tender love amidst harsh circumstances. Rowan McNamara doesn't open the door to her new life—she's thrown through it. Following an explosive argument with her abusive fiancé, Rowan runs. With no family except for her estranged sister, Celia, Rowan takes refuge in an idyllic New England town. There, she meets Gabriel, the eleven-year-old son of her neighbor, Lee. Lee is welcoming, friendly, and a little too helpful. But Gabriel is a mystery: withdrawn, often bruised, and only willing to speak to Rowan through his basement window. When she discovers that Lee has kept Gabriel imprisoned for the past three years, Rowan is desperate to save him. Fueled by outrage and empathy, she abducts Gabriel and flees to her childhood home in rural Oklahoma, determined to raise him as her own. Together they battle nightmares, curious stares, and Celia's constant disapproval. But when Lee begins haunting more than their dreams, Rowan and Gabriel realize they stopped pretending to be a family a long time ago. Their bond is just as strong as blood, and they're willing to do anything to protect one another.

I'm So Glad You Found Me in Here, co-written by college graduate Matt Hobson, a nonverbal young man living with autism, and his mother, Nancy, is a touching story about Matt's disability and the obstacles he and his family have faced and are still encountering today. Being diagnosed as severely mentally handicapped until the age eleven, the Hobsons' story is an inspirational one and will serve to provide insight, support, and comfort to the parents of autistic and other disabled children. �So few try to see what is actually inside my heart and my mind.� --Matthew Hobson �I think the greatest thing that I can do with my life is to help parents see that you have to have faith that God will help you do your best to support your child.� --Matthew Hobson

April Epner teaches high school Latin, wears flannel jumpers, and is used to having her evenings free. Bernice Graverman brandishes designer labels, favors toad-sized earrings, and hosts her own tacky TV talk show: Bernice G! But behind the glitz and glam, Bernice has followed the life of the daughter she gave up for adoption thirty-six years ago. Now that she's got her act together, she's aiming to be a mom like she always knew she could. And she's hurtling straight for April's quiet little life....

Early one summer morning Isabel and her eleven-year-old daughter River walk across Regent's Park. They come across a rain-soaked man sitting alone on a bench and ask him if he's okay. But he doesn't know. In fact he doesn't know the answer to any of their questions - not even his own name. Urged on by her daughter Isabel takes the man to the hospital she works at, hoping that will be the end of it. But when the tests show there's nothing physically wrong with him, and yet he still can't remember who he is, she realises she can't walk away. Isabel made a promise to River that they would help this man, but with no way to identify him Isabel begins to worry about what his past secrets and his memory loss might be hiding. Can they trust him? This is a powerful family drama and a heart-wrenching novel of mothers, daughters. second chances and finding love in unexpected places.