Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
Making books is a team sport. Our colleagues at Barna Group do awe-inspiring work, and we are honored to work alongside them. Savannah Kimberlin worked some stat magic in analyzing the data. Pam Jacob capably managed the entire project. Chaz Russo designed the cover and infographics. Many others supported the effort, including Brooke Hempell, Steve McBeth, Bill Denzel, Todd White, Brenda Usery, Jess Villa, Amy Brands, Roxanne Stone, Alyce Youngblood, Traci Hochmuth, Daniel Copeland, Gareth and Andi Russell, Rick Ifland, Brad Abare, Susan Mettes, and Brian Buffon. Welcome aboard, Mallory Holt and Aiden Dunn! We’ll put you to work on the next one.
George and Nancy Barna: Thanks for creating an incredible company that continues to serve God’s people.
Many reviewers made this better. Those who deserve special shout-outs include Nick Athens, Doug Colby, Lukas Naugle, and Scott Rae.
Aly Hawkins deserves heaps of praise and mounds of thanks for her remarkable efforts—yet again—to help turn our words and ideas into coherent words and ideas. You are a gift to us and to this book’s readers.
Bill and Lorraine Frey: Your support for the Faith That Lasts project started this whole adventure. This book flows from your vision.
Baker Publishing is a flat-out awesome partner. Thanks to Dwight Baker, Mark Rice, Dave Lewis, Jack Kuhatschek, Rebekah Guzman, Kristin Kornoelje, and many others who work so hard on our behalf.
Thanks also to Jonathan Merritt and Chris Ferebee for their advice and input.
We want to thank our church communities: Reality (David) and Irving Bible Church (Mark). We have spent decades forming faith with parents, friends, children, teens, and adults. Certainly, this book reflects insights from our experiences together as imperfect people seeking to reflect Christ in the culture around us.
We are also so grateful to our families and especially to our parents: Gary and Marilyn Kinnaman, Tom and Judi Matlock, and Wayne and Kandy Lamb. Your support, not only for us but also for our children, is a gift.
From Mark
Dax and Skye Matlock: I love that you let me tell your stories even when doing it unfairly puts a magnifying glass on your own faith journeys. Never forget I love you.
David and Julie Grant, Shawn and Cheryl Small: Thank you for your friendship and transparency as we navigate grace, faith, ministry, and parenting together.
David and Stacie McDavid: Thanks for the endless conversations about culture, faith, and changing times.
Jade Matlock: This book has been deeply personal as we have reflected on research and our years of parenting. Thanks for being my best friend and partner for twenty-six years! You know how much I love you as we keep trying to figure out how to live for Christ and the kingdom in this crazy world. Here’s to the empty nest!
From David
To the many, many dear friends who supported our family and prayed for us during the highs and especially the lows of 2017: Thank you! We could not have made it without you. Thanks especially to Eddie, LaDonna, Darcie, Aimee, and Cora.
Jill Kinnaman: Thanks for the bursts of laughter and the mountains of adventure. Life is sweet because of you. And thanks for the strength you display and the sacrifices you’ve made to allow Barna to grow and for this book to be crafted. You’re an inspiration to me, and I love you.
Emily, Annika, and Zack: Being your dad is a greater joy than I could have possibly imagined. I am so proud of you for the people you are and the leaders you are becoming. This book represents my hope for your resilience, my prayer that you will love and follow Jesus into the very darkest of nights, and lessons we have learned together.