Shining a Light on Exemplary Christian Books
 

1. BIBLE STUDY

GOLD

 

The Beatitudes for Progressive Christians
by Donald Schmidt
(Wood Lake Publishing) 

 

 

 

SILVER (tie)

 

Grow in the Grace: Spiritual Growth Lessons from Peter's Walk with Jesus
by James Callen
(Crosslink Publishing)

 

 

 

 

 

Memoirs of How It All Began: A Performance Interpretation of the Gospel of Luke
by Mark F. Whitters
(Cascade Books)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Seeking Treasures
by Donna E. Lane
(Bear's Place Publishing)  

 

 

 

 

2. Christian Living

GOLD

 

The Center Will Hold
by Christopher de Vinck
(Loyola Press) 

 

 

 

 

SILVER (tie)

 

Passionate for Justice: Ida B. Wells as Prophet for Our Time
by Catherine Meeks & Nibs Stroupe
(Church Publishing Incorporated)

 

 

 

 

 

Hunger for Hope
by Sr. Simone Campbell
(Orbis Books)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

True Worshipers
by Marja Verschoor-Meijers
(Frisse Kijk)

 

 

 

3. DEVOTIONAL

GOLD

 

Heart & Home: Design Basics for Your Soul & Living Space
by Victoria Duerstock
(Abingdon Press)

 

 

SILVER

 

Jesus-Centered Daily: See. Hear. Touch. Smell. Taste
by Rick Lawrence
(Lifetree By Group)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Activating Joy: A 40-Day Journey to Rediscovering the Meaning of Joy
by Jessica Hurtado
(Reflecting on the Word) 

 

 

 

4. THEOLOGY

GOLD

 

Ignatian Discernment of Spirits in Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Care
by Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Experiencing God in the Ordinary
by Fr. William A. Barry, SJ
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Complete Gospel Message
by Christine Paxson & Rose Spiller
(Ambassador International)

 

 

 

5. MINISTRY / MISSION

GOLD

 

Preaching Black Lives Matter
by Gayle Fisher-Stewart
(Church Publishing Incorporated)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

The Last Pastor: Faithfully Steering a Closing Church
by Gail Cafferata
(Westminster John Knox Press)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom
by Matt Peacock 
(Iridescent Press)

 

 

 

6. CATHOLIC

GOLD (tie)

 

The Outsider: Pope Francis and the Battle to Reform the Church
by Christopher Lamb
(Orbis Books)

 

 

 

 

 

5 Things with Father Bill
by Fr. Bill Byrne
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

on Love
by Pope Francis
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

The Way to Manresa
by Brendan McManus, SJ
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

7. FAMILY / PARENTING

GOLD

 

Motherhood: A Confession
by Natalie Carnes
(Stanford University Press)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World: A Solution That Works
by Mandy Majors
(Self Published)

 

 

 

 

 

Reimagining Adoption: What Adoptees Seek from Families and Faith
by Sally Ankerfelt, M. Div. and Gayle H. Swift, CPC
(Braided Threads Publishing) 

 

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Don't Mess With This Mama : Risking It All to Rescue Our Daughter
by Missy Maxwell Worton
(Author Academy Elite)

 

 

 

 

8. EDUCATION

GOLD

 

Teaching Students with Autism in a Catholic Setting
by Dr. Lawrence R. Sutton
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Preparing Hearts and Minds
by Joe Paprocki
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Lord, You Called Me
by Ricardo Grzona
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

9. SPIRITUALITY

GOLD

 

The Inner Chapel
by Becky Eldredge
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost
by Traci Rhoades
(Church Publishing Incorporated)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Without Oars
by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
(Broadleaf Books)

 

 

 

 

 

The Ignatian Guide to Forgiveness
by Marina Berzins McCoy
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

10. ILLNESS/DEATH/DYING

GOLD

 

O Death, Where is Thy Sting?
by Joe Hoover
(Orbis Books)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Into a Reluctant Sunrise: A Memoir
by Andrea L. Lingle
(Wipf and Stock Publishers) 

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

I Quit: Facing Cancer with Faith, Family, and Friends
by Kristina Schnack Kotlus
(Morgan James Faith)

 

 

 

 

11a. self-help

GOLD

 
Solid Ground: A Foundation for Winning in Work and In Life
by Tom Lewis
(T.W. Lewis Company)  

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 
Our Road to Damascus: 7 Lessons for a Life of Purpose and Meaning
by Dan Assisi
(Rivail Publishing)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 
Leadership with a Servant's Heart
by Kevin Wayne Johnson
(Writing for the Lord Ministries)

 

 

 

 

11b. HEALTH/WELLNESS

GOLD

 
Helping Families Recover from Addiction
by Jean Heaton
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 
Spiritual Practices for the Brain
by Anne Kertz Kernion
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 
Struck Down but Not Destroyed: Living Faithfully with Anxiety
by Pierce Taylor Hibbs
(Self Published)

 

 

 

12a. BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR- Inspiration

GOLD

 
Writing Straight With Crooked Lines
by Jim Forest
(Orbis Books)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 
All In
by Porter Moser
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 
Belonging
by Frank J. Butler
(Orbis Books)

 

 

 

12b. BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR- Personal Struggle

GOLD

 
Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For
by Brit Baron
(Broadleaf Books)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 
Boldly into the Darkness: Living with Loss, Growing with Grief & Holding onto Happiness
by Autumn Toelle-Jackson
(Wise Ink Creative Publishing)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 
While We Slept: Finding Hope and Healing After Homicide
by Marcy Pusey with Jeremy Pusey
(Miramare Ponte Press)

 

 

 

13. HOLIDAY

GOLD

 
That Grand Christmas Day!
by Jill Roman Lord illustrated by Alessia Trunfio
(Worthy Kids)

 

 

SILVER (tie)

 
The Shepherd's Story
by Jimmy Dunne, Illustrated by Ivan Kravets
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 
The Quiet Crazy Easter Day
by Jill Roman Lord
(BH Kids)

 

 

BRONZE

 
What is Halloween?
by Michelle Medlock Adams; illustrated by Amy Wummer
(Worthy Kids)

 

 

14. CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK

GOLD (tie)

 
I Love You Bigger Than the Sky
by Michelle Medlock Adams; illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
(Worthy Kids)

 

 

 
Seek & Find Bible
by Elisenda Castells and Gabrielle Murphy 
(Loyola Press)

 

 

SILVER

 
A Baa-rilliant Adventure
by Jennifer Somervell; illustrated by Zerika van Jaarsveld
(Landing Lights Press)  

 

 

BRONZE

 
A Gift To Remember
by Merideth Tullous; illustrated by Ylber Cérvadiku
(H&E Press)  

 

 

15. JUVENILE / YOUNG ADULT FICTION

GOLD (tie)

 
Shadow in the Dark
by Antony Barone Kolenc
(Loyola Press)

 

 

 

 

 
Stealing Embers
by Julie Hall
(Julie Hall) 

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 
Heartmender
by V. Romas Burton
(Monster Ivy Publishing)

 

 

 

 

 

BRONZE (tie)

 
Fortune's Fall
by Katherine Barger
(Anaiah Press)

 

 

 

 

 
The Vault Between Spaces
by Chawna Schroeder
(Enclave Escape)

 

 

 

16. GENERAL FICTION

GOLD

 

What Momma Left Behind
by Cindy K. Sproles
(Revell)

 

 

 

 

SILVER (tie)

 

Devyn's Dilemma
by Susan G Mathis
(Heritage Beacon Fiction)

 

 

 

 

 

The Confessions of Adam
by David J. Marsh
(Bold Vision Books)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

The Flight of the Veil 
by Bruce J. Berger
(Black Rose Writing)

 

 

 

17a. ROMANCE FICTION

GOLD (tie)

 

Runaway River
by Kim D. Taylor
(Trilogy)

 

 

 

 

 

Seasoned ~ A Love Story
by Jayme H. Mansfield
(Lighthouse Publishing)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

The Menu
by Steven Manchester
(Luna Bella Press)

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Polarized Love
by Lisa Renee
(Self Published)

 

 

 

 

17B. Mystery/Thriller

GOLD

 

Death and a Crocodile
by Lisa E. Betz
(Crosslink Publishing)

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

The Chase
by Charles Besondy
(Besondy Publishing)

 

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Divine Return: Death is Never the End
by Jeff Walton
(Sunbrook Publishing)

 

 

 

 

18. KEEPSAKE/GIFT/SPECIALTY BIBLE

GOLD

Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience
by Jeff White
(Lifetree By Group)

 

SILVER

God's Wonderful Word
by Loyola Press; illustrated by Emma Segal
(Loyola Press)

 

 

BRONZE

 

Bible Power Puzzles: Learn the Word of God Through the Power of Puzzles!
by Diego Jourdan Pereira
(Good Books)

 

 

 

19. POETRY

Gold

 

Redeemed Reflections: Poems and Ponderings of Faith
by Kari L. Greenaway
(Self Published)

 

 

 

 

Silver

 

Broken ~ Poems from the Holy Spirit
by Julie Anshasi
(Giant Publishing Company)

 

 

 

Bronze

 

Songs of Benjamin
by Benjamin Kwakye
(Cissus World Press)

 

 

 

 

20. Digital Media

GOLD

 

Enjoy Today Own Tomorrow
by Laine Lawson Craft
(Christian Audio) 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Glimmers of Glory: Discovering God Moments in the Gloomy
by Lisa Wilt
(Rx For The Soulful Heart) 

 

 

 

 

BRONZE

 
Finally I Do... Again
by Marq and Beverly Redmond
(Self Published)

 

 

 

ENDURING LIGHT MEDALS

ENDURING LIGHT 1. CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

GOLD

 

Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story - Part 1: 1889 to 1929
by Cindy Peyser Safronoff
(this one thing)  

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Hope in the Madness: Walking Out of Addiction and Into the Freedom You Desire
by Gary Ackert
(Illumify Media)

 

 

 

BRONZE (tie)

 

Prepare for the Harvest! God's Challenge to the Church Today
by Pamela Christian
(Protocol, Ltd.)

 

 

 

 

 

Our 6 His 7: Transformed by Sabbath Rest
by Alisa Hope Wagner
(Marked Writers Publishing)

 

 

 

 

ENDURING LIGHT 2. DEVOTIONAL

GOLD

 

Advent Devotions & Christmas Crafts for Families
by Victoria Duerstock
(Good Books)

 

 

 

SILVER

 

Turning the Tide of Emotional Turbulence
by Stacy Lee Flury
(Pageant Wagon Publishing)

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Gathering Empty Pitchers
by Alisa Hope Wagner
(Marked Writers Publishing)

 

 

 

ENDURING LIGHT 3. INSPIRATIONAL

GOLD

 

Char's Gift
by Steve Harryman
(Elm Hill/HarperCollins Christian
Publishing)

 

 

SILVER

 

The Secret Keepers
by Heidi Tucker
(RedstoneMedia)

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

The Greatest Debtor to His Love
by Dr Ngozi Okike
(Assurance Publications)

 

 

 

ENDURING LIGHT 4. CHRISTIAN FICTION

GOLD

 

The Swan House
by Elizabeth Musser
(Bethany House)

 

 

 

SILVER (tie)

 

Mercy's Promise
by Lynn Landes
(Landes Publishing)

 

 

 

 

 

Every Good Gift

by Urcelia Teixeira

(Self-Published)

 

 

 

BRONZE

 

Seed: Judgment
by Joshua David
(Self-Published)

 

 

 

ENDURING LIGHT 5. CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK

GOLD (tie)

 

The Last Christmas Tree
by Deborah Hoffman; illustrated by Robert Sauber
(Mascot Books)

 

 

 

 

Friends With God Story Bible: Why God Loves People Like Me
by Jeff White; illustrated by David Harrington
(Lifetree By Group)

 

 

 

SILVER

 

If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart
by Jill Roman Lord
(Worthy Kids Ideals)

 

 

 

BRONZE

Notes From Jesus: What Your New Best Friend Wants You to Know
by Mikal Keefer
(Lifetree By Group)