Then I wrote a book
My music has been all about inspiration of hope and compassion. But I realized I'm a special case who can do more than inspire as a musician; I can also equip. So I decided to take my writing to the next level, and write a book. I had spent about half a year freelance writing for a publishing company, where I learned a lot about book-style writing, and I found that I really enjoy all types of creative/informative writing. My late grandpa always said "If someone else can do it, so can I." My friend Stephanie Adams, LPC had written a book for beginning counselors, so I decided I could do something similar. Especially since my music often speaks about helping people, I wanted to make wisdom and skills in helping people more accessible to the average person who is inspired to do so.It took over a 1 1/2 years to write, edit it about ten times (after feedback from a seminarian, a social worker, a missions director, and family members), and publish it, and I'm so glad I did it! I'm also grateful for the support everyone's given me surrounding it.
I wrote out my lessons learned in the trenches of pursuing social justice and compassion-filled mission work. Surviving Service: Effective Response to God's Call for Justice is written specifically for Christ-followers who want to live out God's calling to seek justice for the poor and oppressed, in compassionate, hope-filled ways. I use my experiences in social work, missions, and ministry to equip Christians who are passionate about helping people through missions or social justice work, even as an occasional volunteer. I wrote it so that I would not leave you at inspiration, but equip those who are inspired to act, so they do so in effective ways.What it's about...
PART I: Understanding the Call1. Christian Worldview: A Biblical Perspective on Justice2. Getting Involved: A Balanced PerspectivePART II: Preparing for the Call3. The Heart of the Matter4. Being Trustworthy5. Listening, Learning, and Understanding6. Avoiding Charity7. You're Not Alone8. Crisis Intervention9. Social Work Theories: Thinking ThoroughlyPART III: Living the Call10. Gifts, Passions, Personalities, and Calling: How You are Made to Help11. A Beautiful Mess: Jumping In12. Self Care, Without Being SelfishI released the book at a super fun concert at Coastal Coffee Roasters. Friends and cafe-goers enjoyed games, coloring for grown-ups, puzzle, a trivia contest, a craft adoption fundraiser, and of course groovy tunes by yours truly... accompanied by many hats (some of which are witnessed below).
I wrote out my lessons learned in the trenches of pursuing social justice and compassion-filled mission work. Surviving Service: Effective Response to God's Call for Justice is written specifically for Christ-followers who want to live out God's calling to seek justice for the poor and oppressed, in compassionate, hope-filled ways. I use my experiences in social work, missions, and ministry to equip Christians who are passionate about helping people through missions or social justice work, even as an occasional volunteer. I wrote it so that I would not leave you at inspiration, but equip those who are inspired to act, so they do so in effective ways.What it's about... PART I: Understanding the Call1. Christian Worldview: A Biblical Perspective on Justice2. Getting Involved: A Balanced PerspectivePART II: Preparing for the Call3. The Heart of the Matter4. Being Trustworthy5. Listening, Learning, and Understanding6. Avoiding Charity7. You're Not Alone8. Crisis Intervention9. Social Work Theories: Thinking ThoroughlyPART III: Living the Call10. Gifts, Passions, Personalities, and Calling: How You are Made to Help11. A Beautiful Mess: Jumping In12. Self Care, Without Being SelfishI released the book at a super fun concert at Coastal Coffee Roasters. Friends and cafe-goers enjoyed games, coloring for grown-ups, puzzle, a trivia contest, a craft adoption fundraiser, and of course groovy tunes by yours truly... accompanied by many hats (some of which are witnessed below).