In October 2018, just one month after Hill City Church launched, I took my family on a much-needed vacation to Australia. I was excited to relax on the beach and decompress from a hectic season of ministry.
But, as often happens with vacations, the weather didn’t cooperate. It rained almost every day, leaving us stuck indoors for most of the trip. Little did I know, what seemed like a mild inconvenience would become the catalyst for something much bigger—God calling me to write a book.
The Writing Journey
What started as a long journal entry processing my own experience as a ministry leader in my twenties quickly turned into something more. At first, I never imagined anyone would read it. But as I continued, I began to realize there was a larger audience of young leaders who needed inspiration and practical guidance.
By August 2021, I completed the manuscript under the working title Too Young to Know Better. The following spring, I shared the news with a blog post titled “So…I Wrote a Book!”
The road to publishing has had its ups and downs. I had the privilege of working with a couple of literary agents, which gave me valuable insights into the publishing industry. I even came close to securing a contract in 2023. Like many first-time authors, the rejections were more frequent than the breakthroughs…until now.
Big News: The Book Is Coming!
This spring, my book will officially be released under the title What Are You Waiting For? A Young Leader’s Guide to Changing the World. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Renew, a publisher dedicated to renewing the teachings of Jesus and fueling disciple-making. Over the years, I’ve contributed numerous discipleship blog posts to their website, so it feels like a perfect fit.
The book will be available in print on Amazon as early as February 2025, and an eBook version will also be released.
Who Is the Book For?
This book is primarily aimed at teenagers and young adults, particularly those with a Christian background. These are the bright-eyed dreamers who once felt called to make a difference, but over time, have faced discouragement and disillusionment. Many are now wondering if they should wait until later in life to step into their calling.
I first felt a calling to plant a church when I was 20 years old. Seven years later, that dream came to fruition. Surprisingly, the biggest obstacle wasn’t fundraising, branding, or even my lack of experience or education. It was the constant refrain from older leaders: “Maybe when you’re older.”
What Are You Waiting For? is my attempt to inspire this next generation of Kingdom leaders. We must not only pray for God to raise up more workers for the harvest, but also speak words of prophecy, courage, and calling into the lives of young leaders.
In 2019, Barna reported that 64% of 18–29-year-olds who grew up in the American church walked away. I believe the key to re-engaging Gen Z isn’t through gimmicks like pizza parties or giveaways, but by helping them discover their place in serving God’s Kingdom.
Even if you’re not in the target demographic, I believe this book will offer something valuable to you. What Are You Waiting For? is also a great resource for older leaders looking to mentor the next generation. I’d love to hear stories of multigenerational groups reading the book together and sparking new conversations about calling and Kingdom purpose.
What Are My Hopes for the Book?
My hope is that everyone who reads What Are You Waiting For? will be inspired to live a life of significance. More than just offering inspiration, though, I want to equip young leaders with practical steps to start their journey—whether it’s church planting, missions, entrepreneurship, or any other area of Kingdom work.
I’m also excited to share that this spring and summer, I have several speaking opportunities that will help introduce the book to a wider audience. In April, I’ll be speaking at the Renew National Gathering, and over the summer, I’ll be speaking at four CIY Move events. These events are great opportunities to reach people beyond my usual circles and pour into a broader expression of the Kingdom.
How You Can Help
Here are three ways you can support the book and get the message out:
Read, Recommend, & Review: If you’re able to read the book, it would mean the world to me. One of the most powerful ways you can help is by recommending it to someone else—whether that’s in a conversation, sharing a quote on social media, or through an Amazon review. One thing I’ve learned throughout this process is the power of sharing. Even I don’t have a massive online following, a single post shared by a few people can reach many more than you might expect.
Connections: If you know anyone with a podcast or youth event that needs a speaker, I’d be grateful for an introduction. One of the best connections I made with CIY came through a friend who simply sent a text message introducing me to their director. You never know how God will use small steps like this to create opportunities.
Prayer: I’d love for you to pray with me as I continue this journey. Please pray that the book reaches the right people and makes a real impact in the next generation. Also, pray for wisdom as I balance promoting the book with leading my family and Hill City Church. It’s been a nearly seven-year journey to this point, and I know God has been with me every step of the way. I want to continue to depend on Him as He leads me forward.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. I can’t wait to see how God uses What Are You Waiting For? to inspire and equip the next generation of leaders.
What else do you want to know about the book? Let me know in the comments below!
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