If you want to take a deeper look at the themes and ideas animating this redesigned War Cry, consider following Bee Bryant’s advice, finding a moment of solitude, and cracking open one of these five compelling reads.

“Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love”  by Jacob Fink and Rebecca St. James (David C. Cook)

In The War Cry’s interview with Rebecca St. James, she explains what motivated her and husband, Jacob (Cubbie) Fink, to write their 2025 book. With authentic storytelling and hard-won wisdom,  they illuminate the heartaches and triumphs that have shaped their story as a married couple, as parents, as musicians, and—most of all—as Jesus followers.

“Welcome to Dinner, Church” by Verlon Fosner (Fresh Expressions)

In “They Came Hungry” (pg. 20), David Reardon covers how one corps is using “dinner church” to reach their community. “Welcome to Dinner, Church” examines what it might be like for a traditional church to plant a dinner church in a nearby hurting neighborhood.

“Deep Peace” by Todd Hunter (Seedbed)

Bee Bryant invites us to consider the importance of following Jesus’ example of spiritual renewal and retreat (pg. 20). In “Deep Peace”, Todd Hunter analyzes the anxiety and desperation of our current moment and leads readers to receive the peace of Jesus and experience the deep wholeness that comes from the peace of God.

“A Real Christian: The Life of John Wesley” by Kenneth J. Collins (Abingdon Press)

Envoys Steve and Sharon Bussey told the compelling story of the impact of John Wesley’s preaching on Sarah Milward and, by extension, her daughter, Catherine Booth (pg. 32). Get to know the man behind “The Almost Christian” by reading Kenneth J. Collins excellent, short biography of the founder of Methodism and the theological movement that eventually birthed to The Salvation Army.

“Catherine Booth: A Biography of the Cofounder of The Salvation Army” by Roger Green (Baker)

Catherine Booth…” book: After you learn about the life of John Wesley by reading Collins’ book, read Roger Green’s compelling portrait of a woman deeply affected by Wesley’s ministry—the mother of The Salvation Army: Catherine Booth. Booth was a trailblazer, innovator, and passionate evangelist whose enormous impact continues to be seen through the worldwide movement that is The Salvation Army today.