Fall 2025 Book Giveaway

Win one copy of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone by Rev. Dr. E. K. Strawser and one copy of From Dropout to Doctorate by Dr. Terence Lester. Keep reading to learn more about these books!

You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone

The work of the church is more than any one person can handle, and God never intended for one pastor to do all a church's ministry alone.

Discover a communal and biblical model of missional leadership in You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone. In this book, E. K. Strawser seeks to recover the shared leadership model of the early church, offering a practical and inclusive alternative to hierarchical and patriarchal church leadership structures. This book invites pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders to rethink how leadership can empower the entire body of Christ. By identifying the gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, this book provides a vision for leadership that fosters collaboration, inclusivity, and spiritual flourishing.

In this book, Strawser

• Explores how shared leadership can be integrated into the structure of a church;
• Expands on the fivefold diversity of leadership: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers;
• Highlights how different gifts and leadership styles suit various aspects of ministry;
• Expands ministry beyond paid staff, promoting inclusivity regardless of gender, race, or culture;
• Addresses real-life power dynamics and temptations leaders face; and
• Offers practical, sustainable structures to multiply leaders for the benefit of the entire community.

This book argues that for the church to truly reflect the fullness of Christ, it must embrace the sharing of power. If you're ready to reimagine ministry and build mature leadership in your church, start with You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone.

From Dropout to Doctorate

Terence Lester was born into a two-parent household that later separated due to family conflict. In search of safety and stability, his mother moved him and his sister from place to place. Carrying the weight of that early trauma, Lester turned to gangs, became a juvenile delinquent, experienced homelessness, and at one point lived out of his car. He dropped out of high school.

But Lester's story doesn't end there. He eventually returned to school, graduated as a fifth-year senior, and defied the odds by earning five degrees, including a PhD in public policy. What made the difference?

In From Dropout to Doctorate, Lester unveils the realities of educational injustice and the profound impact of unjust policies and systems on Black communities. He shows how poverty disrupts the lives of Black families, leading to homelessness and perpetuating the school-to-prison pipeline.

A Powerful Personal Story

Drawing from his own personal narrative and scholarly research, Lester names the complex challenges faced by Black children in underresourced and socially dense environments. As a public scholar and nonprofit leader, he advocates for equitable access to advanced education and addresses the systemic barriers that limit opportunities for Black people.

An Advocate's Voice for Change

Through his personal experiences, Lester calls on educators, nonprofit leaders, and community influencers to confront educational inequity and inspire systemic change. His advocacy encourages readers to envision a world rooted in justice and inclusivity. Offering remedies of community involvement and mentorship, Lester marks out a hopeful pathway that cultivates potential and provides opportunities for Black youth to thrive.

For Those Who Believe in a Just Future

This book speaks to those who are ready to champion change and reimagine what is possible for marginalized communities. From Dropout to Doctorate will challenge you to question the status quo and equip you to make a difference in your community.

If you're ready to join the fight for educational equity and inspire the next generation, pick up your copy today. Will you be the next one to make an impact?

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