Book News + Podcast Interview

And a glimpse of some upcoming things

Hey friends -

It’s been a while since I’ve sent along a book-related update. So many of you have been praying for and asking about the book so I thought I should pass along an update - especially since I have some exciting news to share on that front!

First off - the book is written!

Well, for the most part - apart from some very minor edits here and there. I turned in a draft manuscript of the book on September 1 after returning from a couple of weeks of work-related speaking engagements and (much-needed) vacation travel across Western Europe.

Writing the final chapter of the book from a cafe in Bonn, Germany.

It’s absolutely crazy to even think that I wrote an entire book from scratch in just six months - especially as a full-time nonprofit leader with an intense international travel and speaking schedule (on top of wrapping up a dual masters degree in seminary somehow). Both my publishing editor and literary agent think it’s impressive that I submitted a full draft manuscript by deadline as a first time author. Nothing motivates my (undiagnosed) ADHD-brain more than deadlines so I’ll take it!

Nevertheless - I want you to know that I put my blood, sweat and tears into this book. I dug deep into my ancestors’ ancient Eastern Christian faith to help cast a positive vision for what a decolonized way of prioritizing justice in the Western Church could look like. This is the book I wish I had when I was deconstructing and decolonizing my faith to help me reconstruct a more beautiful, justice-oriented faith rooted in ancient, Global Christianity - a decolonized faith that is truly good news for our neighbours in violence, poverty & physical oppression.

Which brings me to my BIG news! After reading my full draft manuscript, the incredible Marketing Team at Brazos Press had a terrific recommendation for the Book Title and Subtitle. After brainstorming a bit together, here’s the new official Book Title and Subtitle we ultimately landed on:

The Justice of Jesus: Reimagining Your Church’s Life Together to Pursue Liberation and Wholeness

To say that I am thrilled about this development is an understatement! I think this revised Title and Subtitle beautifully captures the essence of my book. Believe me when I say that I *cannot* wait for you to read this book. Now begins the work of making final edits and finalizing cover design and art. Following that, the book is then made available for pre-orders in February 2025 - ahead of a September 2025 launch timeline!

I’d greatly appreciate your continued prayers for wisdom and discernment in next steps as we work to launch this much-needed book into the world. I say “much-needed” not because of my own voice but because of the vast majority of voices I cite throughout this book - underrepresented voices in Christian publishing. And voices I want the Western Church to also be shaped by in our pursuit of justice for all our marginalized neighbours:

Global South Church leaders / theologians, Latin American liberation theologians, Palestinian liberation theologians, Indigenous liberation theologians, Black liberation theologians, Female theologians, etc.

Needless to say, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year - ordination in February (stay tuned for more on this!), pre-orders going live in February, graduation with a dual masters degree (after 6.5 years!) from seminary in May, book launch in September, etc. Throw in possible trips to Bolivia, South Asia and the United Kingdom before book launch.

For those of you interested in supporting my work until the book comes out 11 months from now, consider becoming a paid subscriber at whatever level you’re able (monthly / annual / lifetime). Any amount makes a world of difference and *everything* you give goes directly towards my seminary training and ordination costs!

FoundFamily with MaryB. Safrit Podcast

As we approach pre-order season in February (and beyond), you’ll likely see me popping up on some really cool podcasts. I plan on sharing those podcast interviews here as they’re released!

I’m recording podcast interviews with two really cool podcasts this week: InVerse (with Jarrod McKenna and Dr. Drew Hart) and The New Evangelicals (with Tim Whitaker) in addition to a couple of in-person and virtual speaking engagements also scheduled for this week.

For now, enjoy this incredible conversation I recently got to have with my friend, Mary B. Safrit on Justice, Decolonization, and Masala Chai Theology at FoundFamily Podcast:

Here’s where you can listen to this conversation:

Apple:

Spotify: 

Buzzsprout: https://foundfamilywithmarybsafrit.buzzsprout.com/share

Until next time!