There's no escaping it: everyone experiences seasons of pain and despair.

In 2019, when Amber Haines resigned from her position as church curate and walked out the church doors for the last time, she entered her own season of pain and despair. That season taught her--and her husband, Seth Haines--that the journey toward hope starts with recognizing "the deep down things."

In The Deep Down Things, Amber and Seth point to a simple truth: even in the darkest times, there are tangible signs of hope all around us. The authors demonstrate how tasting, touching, feeling, holding, and participating in these tangible acts of hope picks us up, builds our strength, and moves us into beauty, even in times of despair. They invite readers to participate with those signs of hope and thereby experience the divine love of God, even in the struggle of their everyday lives.

A lifeline for those who desperately need it, this book helps readers overcome despair, find hope, and spread that hope to an aching world.

Sergeant Mark Tappan and his K9 companion, Mattis, have a highly engaged and devoted fan base of over five million social media followers.

This down-to-earth duo never anticipated winning A&E’s Top Dog, fulfilling countless on-going media requests, and interacting with an ever-increasing social media fan base.

Although, it’s Mark and Mattis’ special bond and likeability as a team that has their audience clamoring for more.

K9 Mattis is one of the most decorated police K9s of all time with over 200 arrests and over 2 million in cash seized and even has a Purple Heart.

Justin is an author, speaker, and pastor and has dedicated his life to helping people experience life change through the power of authenticity. He co-founded RefineUs Ministries, where he shares his personal story with honesty and transparency, inspiring others to find the courage to do the same.

Justin is the co-author of the bestselling book, Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn't Good Enough, which he wrote alongside his wife, Trisha.

He is a sought-after speaker for numerous conferences, churches, and leadership events, inspiring audiences with a message of hope and transformation through the grace of Jesus.

Justin loves to spend time with his family. He enjoys playing basketball, indulging in the Great Wall of Chocolate at PF Chang's, and taking long walks on the beach with his wife and kids. Justin and Trisha live in Indianapolis, IN, and have five kids.

Greg Atkinson is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, international keynote speaker, leadership and life coach, and business consultant. Greg Atkinson is the Founder and CEO of Greg Atkinson Consulting, LLC, The Kindness Group, Worship Impressions, the First Impressions Conference, and EntreChurch – The Entrepreneurial Church Conference, as well as the Co-Founder of the Social Media Church Conference. Greg is the Founder of EntreDreams and hosts masterminds and retreats. Greg is the Charlotte Chapter President for Truth At Work. Greg is a member of the Forbes Coaching Council, The American Association of Christian Counselors, and ICCI (International Christian Coaching Institute).

Greg has worked with organizations of all stages and sizes, including some of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country, as well as with businesses and non-profits such as Josh McDowell Ministries. Greg has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, and on CBS, FOX, and NBC. Greg is an Alliance Partner with the Rukes Search Group and serves on the Advisory Board of Full Strength Network. Greg has been in organizational leadership for three decades. Stay connected to Greg and his work here.

Brian Heasley is the International Prayer Director for 24-7 Prayer, and he also works at at Lambeth Palace as International Ecumenical Lead for Thy Kingdom Come.

Before this, Brian and his wife Tracy pioneered the work of 24-7 Prayer in Ibiza, Spain, where they developed rhythms of prayer and mission. Brian’s book, Gatecrashing, tells the story of 24-7 Prayer in Ibiza. Brian is originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and now lives in England. Brian and Tracy have two adult sons.

Farrell is a mother of six, a spiritual blogger and an author of two works of fiction: Alma Gloria and the Olive Tree and The Angel and the Raven and a recent collection of prayers entitled, The Pocket Cathedral. Her latest book is Soulfull: A Weekly Devotional to Nourish the Mind, Body, and Spirit. Farrell holds a Masters of Art Business from Sotheby’s, London and is currently completing her Masters of Divinity at Vanderbilt University. She is a part-time minister of pastoral care at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville and her heart is forever committed to raising funds and awareness for kids with cancer in honor of her son.

In all of her writing you will find a thread of hope, healing and redemption!

Her great joy is found barefoot and making mischief in the kitchen with her family and friends, eating a croissant in Paris or hiking in the Tetons!

Scott and Troy pick there books of the year for 2023. It's our 3 favorites for six in total

Austin Carty joined Boulevard Baptist Church from First Baptist Church of Corbin, KY in 2019. Austin holds an undergraduate degree in literature from High Point University (B.A.), a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Wake Forest University, and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Emory University. He is the author of The Pastor's Bookshelf: Why Reading Matters for Ministry, which received the 2023 Christianity Today Award of Merit and was named the Book of the Year by Preaching magazine.

Austin is married to April and together they have four children, Ada, Julianna, Witt, and Ben.