Top Christmas Gift for Christian Nonprofit & Ministry Leaders

Purchase Here: Resilient by Valerie Bell

What it's about: Resilient is about how church leaders in children and youth ministry must help today's kids find their faith in order for them to find solid footing in an often confusing and dangerous world. Written by leaders of the "AWANA" program, it helps inspire ministry leaders to spread God's love with more intention, fearlessness, and meaning. 

How it inspired me: I purchased a copy of this when I was helping to lead the "AWANA" kids at my church. As I read about the ways the leaders can share God's love with the children, I realized so many Christian leaders had poured love into me as a kid. And I realized it was that love that helped me persevere through very challenging aspects of my teenage and early adult life.  I began to see myself through God's eyes and how much He loved me. I identified the pattern of God's faithfulness in my life from generations before me through generations to come and all the evidence of the love throughout my life.  

Additionally, I had been searching for words of blessing to approach community development as a Christian in the post-2020 polarizing environment, honestly not expecting to find it in this book. Then I stumbled across a passage in the book called "spine and heart." The passage encouraged readers to focus on sharing God's love, not the political divides. Somehow that passage helped to relight my spark and I began to approach my work with more confidence once again. Every term with City Vision University, I share this passage with my students. It's one of the most engaging and enlightening conversations of the entire 8-week term. 

Through LinkedIn, I reached out to the author, Valerie Bell, and shared how much this book meant in my life. Here's what I said: "I wanted to share with you that your book absolutely changed my life. I’m a product of AWANA and this year I had the opportunity to put my Kindergarten daughter in AWANA and assist with the program. The book made me see myself through the AWANA leaders that invested in me and I began to appreciate my life and value so much more. The chapter on Heart and Spine settled my anxiety about who I am to be in this polarized world. I confidently went on to carry out my work in community development, higher education and children’s ministry this year without fear. Thank you for your book and your faithfulness to God. I am so grateful. Praise be to be God."  

To my surprise and delight, she wrote back! She said, "Melissa, It is so encouraging to hear from you and to learn a little about your faith journey. Thank you for taking the time to respond after reading Resilient. We love to hear from Awana “kids” and to be affirmed that Awana is child discipleship that builds a foundation for lifelong faith.
It works! I also want to say 'Wow' to you about your work in this pandemic altered world. We are so divided. I imagine community work is beyond challenging in these times. God has strategically placed you for such a time as this. I believe that. Speak your truth in love and fear not. God is with you! Happy New Year! Thank you for reaching out to me."

Why I recommend it: I can't think of a more important book to recommend to nonprofit and ministry leaders to help encourage them during these times. As iron sharpens iron, so will this book help nonprofit and ministry leaders regain their confidence and mission.