Last year my wife, Sharon, and I were blessed with a short getaway to Amanzimtoti, thanks to the kindness of our friends David and Karin Brown. It was Sharon’s first time visiting Durban, so we made the most of the opportunity. We explored popular destinations such as uShaka Marine World and the Waffle House. But surprisingly, our favourite outing was not a famous attraction, but a quiet farm in Ramsgate called Butterfly Valley.

The entrance fee was modest, but the knowledge shared by our tour guide was invaluable. We learned about the beauty and design of butterflies in a way that left us both in awe of our Creator. More than anything, those few days provided us with a time of physical and spiritual refreshment. As newlyweds, the Lord used that season to encourage our hearts and draw us closer together.

It was during that stay that I first encountered David’s book—although I did not realize it at the time. One morning, while browsing through the books in his office, I noticed a small stack of loose papers protruding from between two books on the shelf. Something about them caught my attention. I pulled them out and saw the title on the first page: The Threefold Cord of Gospel Ministry. I was immediately intrigued.

Over the next three days, I read those loose pages carefully. I remember turning to Sharon and saying, “This is the best summary of the Christian life I’ve ever read.”

It was only after David and Karin returned home that I discovered the truth: I had been reading his unpublished manuscript! Looking back, I believe this was no accident. In God’s providence, He had placed those pages before me at just the right time. And now, through this blog, I would like to share a summary of what I discovered in this short and thoughtful book.

The Threefold Cord in Christ’s Ministry

In the opening chapter, David draws our attention to Jesus’ model of ministry, particularly as seen in passages such as Matthew 4:23 and Matthew 9:35. In these verses, we see that Jesus’ ministry consistently involved three distinct yet inseparable elements:

Borrowing from Ecclesiastes 4:12, David describes these three elements as a “threefold cord.” He invites readers to picture holding a rope in their hands and trying to follow a single strand from beginning to end. It is almost impossible. The strands are so tightly interwoven that they function as one unified whole. In the same way, the Gospel narratives reveal how God wove together proclamation, teaching, and compassion in perfect harmony.

Throughout the book, David uses simple yet powerful illustrations to help readers visualize this relationship. At its most basic, he depicts the three cords as overlapping circles. From there, he expands the illustration to show how imbalance in any one area weakens the strength of the whole.

A Personal Awakening

I have been privileged to spend most of my adult life in churches committed to faithful Bible teaching. I am deeply grateful for the solid instruction I have received and for the Lord’s work in cultivating within me a love for studying His Word.

Because of this background, I could easily relate to the categories of “Gospel Message” and “Moral Teaching.” But the third category—“Compassion Ministry”—was different. It exposed a gap in my own understanding.

This was not because my church tradition rejected compassion. On the contrary, the churches I have served in have always engaged in practical acts of care, such as providing food or blankets to those in need.

Rather, I realized that compassion had not occupied a central place in my thinking. I struggled to recall sermons that emphasized its essential role in the life of the believer and the mission of the church. In many ways, this was a blind spot in my own life.

David’s book awakened me to this reality. In his third chapter, he takes readers on a brief tour through church history, demonstrating how compassion has always accompanied faithful gospel ministry. I was especially challenged by his examples of men I consider to be my heroes of the faith—men such as William Wilberforce, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, George Müller, and William Carey.

I knew these men were passionate about preaching the gospel and winning souls. But I had not fully appreciated the extent of their concern for the physical and social well-being of those around them. Their ministries were not limited to words. They embodied the compassion of Christ in tangible ways.

Avoiding Three Ministry Dangers

In chapters four through six, David addresses three common dysfunctions of gospel ministry. In chapter four, he warns against the danger of the Social Gospel. This approach essentially reduces the Great Commission to acts of kindness and social improvement. While compassion is essential, David explains that good works must never replace the proclamation of the gospel itself.

In chapter five, he warns against the opposite danger—the disappearance of compassion ministry. He traces how, in reaction to theological liberalism, segments of the fundamentalist movement in the early twentieth century overcorrected, emphasizing doctrinal purity while neglecting practical compassion.

In chapter six, he addresses a third danger: the removal of moral teaching. This chapter is especially relevant for engaging younger generations, who often struggle to understand the relationship between grace, truth, and obedience. Drawing from his own pastoral experience, David offers balanced, biblical counsel for navigating these challenges.

Conclusion

One of the most compelling aspects of David’s book is how practical it is. In the final chapter, he shares how he, his wife, and others have sought to live out this threefold cord of gospel ministry here in South Africa. He describes how the Lord led them to serve marginalized Zulu communities in rural areas south of Durban through their ministry, 7 Rivers Outreach.

David’s book has profoundly shaped the way I think about Christian ministry, especially the role of Compassion in relation to the gospel. If you have found this summary helpful and would like to learn more, I encourage you to consider supporting David’s ministry or purchasing his book, The Threefold Cord of Gospel Ministry. It is available on Amazon, and I believe it will challenge, encourage, and strengthen your walk with Christ, just as it has mine.

During lockdown in 2020, I started writing my first book.
I naïvely thought I’d be done within a few months. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t. It took me five years to complete! But that’s not the point of this story.

Somewhere along that long journey of drafts, edits, and rewrites, a new question started to form in my mind: How am I actually going to publish this thing? Like many new authors, I assumed traditional publishing was the obvious path. So I reached out to several publishers in the US, hoping someone would see the value in my work.

It didn’t take long to hit a wall.

Many publishers simply don’t accept unsolicited proposals. Without an agent or a large platform, I quickly realized that traditional publishing wasn’t a viable option for me. And so—after a lot of research, prayer, and trial and error—I chose to self-publish. It wasn’t the path I originally pictured, but looking back, it was exactly the right fit for my book and my modest network.

Maybe you're in a similar place right now—writing a book or dreaming about writing one—and you’re wondering what route you should take. The good news is that you really only have two main options: traditional publishing or self-publishing. And understanding the differences will make your decision a whole lot easier.

So, let’s talk about them.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing is often seen as the “gold standard.” This is the path where an author submits a manuscript to a publisher—usually through an agent—and, if accepted, the publisher takes care of everything. They edit the manuscript, design the cover, format the interior, create the eBook version, and handle distribution. Your book gains access to bookstores and established industry networks.

And the best part? There are no upfront costs. Having your book backed by a recognized publisher can also boost credibility.

But… there are a few realities authors should be aware of:

If you're a South African author, the Publishers’ Association of South Africa (PASA) is a great place to start your search for legitimate publishers.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing often gets dismissed as the option you take when traditional publishing “fails,” but this is a misconception. In reality, self-publishing puts the author in the driver’s seat. You can either do it all yourself or outsource certain parts. For example, maybe writing is your strength but design isn’t—so you might hire a professional cover designer. The self-publishing timeline is also significantly faster. Authors can publish in a few months or even a few weeks, depending on the book.

And here’s a major perk: the royalties are higher.
For instance, Amazon Kindle pays authors up to 70% royalties for eBooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99. Plus, you retain full rights to your book—film rights, translation rights, and any future spin-offs.

Of course, self-publishing has its challenges:

Lastly, it's important to mention something that many South African authors don’t realise at the start: being “published overseas” isn’t automatically an advantage, especially if you’re self-publishing. A lot of international self-publishing platforms look impressive on the surface, but many don’t distribute in South Africa, and they’re not particularly focused on getting your book into our local market. And the shipping costs often push the retail price so high that it becomes difficult to sell locally.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Path

Still unsure which model fits your vision? Here are a few questions that can help guide your decision:

Final Thoughts & How I Can Help You

Whether you pursue traditional publishing or take the self-publishing route, here’s what I want you to hold onto:

You’ve written a book worth sharing.
Your message matters, your story carries weight, and your work deserves to find its readers.

If you’re leaning toward self-publishing but feel overwhelmed by the process, I’d love to walk this journey with you. At Grace of Faith Press, we offer personalized support for Christian authors—from editing and design to publishing guidance and launch advice. I’ve been where you are, and I know how confusing and challenging the process can feel at first.

To help you get started, we offer free 45-minute consultations, either in person or online. It’s a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where you can ask questions, get clarity, and explore what the next step is for your book. You can find the booking form here, along with a full list of the self-publishing packages we offer.

If you’re ready to turn your manuscript into a book you can be proud of, we’d be honoured to help bring your vision to life.

Every December, families gather to sing carols, light candles, open gifts, and read the well-loved passages of Luke and Matthew. Yet for many children (and even for adults) the Christmas story can feel like a series of disconnected scenes. We wanted to change that. Our new children’s book, The Christmas Story Unveiled, was born from a desire to help families see Christ's birth as part of one grand, unfolding story of redemption.

In this post, we’d love to take you behind the scenes of how we wrote the book, why we chose the power of storytelling, and how each chapter carries the reader along the ancient path of God’s redemptive plan.

Why We Chose to Tell the Story Through Storytelling

From the very beginning, God has revealed Himself through story—creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. We wanted our book to reflect that same beauty and coherence: to help children see that the birth of Jesus is not an isolated event, but the fulfillment of a promise woven through every page of Scripture.

So rather than writing a standard retelling, we framed the story within a family setting. Each chapter opens with a father named Matthew reading to his two children, Judah and Mila. Through their eyes, young readers can imagine what it might have been like to hear the story of Christ’s birth for the very first time.

This storytelling frame does more than engage the imagination; it models discipleship. It shows that the story of Jesus is best told when parents pass down the truths of Scripture to their children, just as Deuteronomy 6 instructs, “You shall teach them diligently to your children.”

As authors, writing for children has deepened our own faith. It has reminded us that the gospel is simple enough for a child to believe, yet profound enough to marvel at for a lifetime. Every time we read these stories aloud, we are struck again by the beauty of grace—that the Lord chose to come as a child, born in humility, to redeem His people.

How the Book Unfolds

Each chapter begins with a retelling of Scripture that is faithful to the biblical text yet written in a way that draws children into the wonder of the scene. The first four chapters trace God’s promises through the Old Testament—from Eden’s lost garden to Israel’s longing for a Redeemer—laying the foundation for why the Messiah had to come.

From there, the story moves into the New Testament, where the promises begin to bloom into reality: Zechariah and Elizabeth receiving the news of John’s birth; Mary and Joseph learning of the Child who would save His people; the shepherds and Magi standing in awe before the newborn King.

We’ve stayed close to Scripture (using the English Standard Version as our main reference), but we’ve also woven in short, imagined details and brief dialogue to help readers connect emotionally with each moment. These additions are meant to help children feel the heartbeat of the story.

At the end of every chapter, we've included a few simple discussion questions. These aren’t quizzes; they’re invitations. Some encourage children to recall key moments, while others invite deeper reflection on what the passage reveals about God, us, and the gospel.

The discussion questions are ideal for parents reading aloud at bedtime, teachers leading Bible lessons, or families gathered around the table. It provides space to pause, to listen, and to let God’s Word sink in. The goal is not to have all the right answers, but to grow together in wonder, gratitude, and understanding.

Conclusion

Our hope is that The Christmas Story Unveiled will become a journey that families take together this Advent season. May it be a time of rediscovery—of the story that began before time, unfolded in Bethlehem, and continues in every heart that welcomes the Saviour.

My wife and I recently released our first children’s book, The Saviour Unveiled. With so many Christian children’s books already available, you might wonder: Why write another one? That was the very question we wrestled with when we began this project. Our desire was not to merely re-tell familiar Bible stories but to help children to read the Bible the way Jesus Himself taught His disciples.

After His resurrection, He appeared to two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus. They were discouraged, confused, and unsure of what had just happened. But Luke tells us, “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). In other words, Jesus gave them a crash course in biblical theology.

In his book How to Understand and Apply the New Testament, Andy Naselli defines biblical theology like this, “[It] studies how the whole Bible progresses, integrates, and climaxes in Christ.” The Bible is not a random assortment of ancient writings loosely connected by moral lessons. It is a unified story with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Seeing the Bible as One Big Story

Think about how a novel unfolds. Each chapter builds on the one before it, and every scene prepares the way for the climax. God chose to reveal His Word in a similar way. From creation to fall to redemption to new creation, every part of Scripture builds on what came before and points forward to what comes next. The Old Testament, far from being outdated history, is the foundation on which the New Testament stands.

This means that the people, events, and institutions in the Old Testament were never meant to stand on their own. They function as shadows or types pointing forward to something greater. They whisper of a Saviour yet to come. When we learn to read the Bible this way, we begin to see that the Old Testament is not disconnected from the gospel; it is the stage on which the gospel drama begins.

One of the clearest examples of a type is Adam. He was not only the first man God created; he was also, as the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:14, a “type of Christ.” That means his life was more than personal history. It was a preview of a greater reality that would one day be fulfilled in Jesus.

In our book we explain that Adam served as our covenant representative (Romans 5:15–19). This means that when Adam sinned, all humanity was implicated—God counted every person guilty in him. In other words, his sin became our sin. Adam’s guilt and corrupted nature were passed down to every human being. Because of his disobedience, we are born into sin.

Adam’s disobedience in the garden had catastrophic consequences. When he ate the forbidden fruit, sin and death entered the world. His failure did not only affect him; it rippled outward, touching every generation that followed. We feel the effects of Adam’s choice every day. Brokenness in our world—violence, betrayal, sickness, selfishness, even death itself—can all be traced back to that moment of disobedience.

But where Adam failed, Jesus triumphed. Paul calls Him the “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45). Unlike the first Adam, Jesus perfectly obeyed His Father in every way. Adam grasped for what was forbidden; Jesus emptied Himself, humbling Himself even to death on a cross. Adam’s disobedience brought condemnation, but Jesus’ obedience brought justification. Through His perfect life and sacrificial death, righteousness and eternal life are now offered to all who believe in Him.

Our book includes forty Old Testament stories, beginning with Adam and moving through the patriarchs, prophets, and kings. Some of the connections to Christ are easy to see—like Abraham offering Isaac or the lamb sacrificed at Passover. Others are more subtle, requiring careful reflection. But in each case, we invite children and their parents to trace the thread of redemption that runs through the Old Testament and leads straight to the Saviour.

Reading with “Christian Eyes”

Our prayer is that The Saviour Unveiled will help children read the Bible with what D.A. Carson calls “Christian eyes.” That means approaching Scripture with the understanding that it is ultimately about Jesus Christ. Every page, every story, and every prophecy finds its fulfillment in Him.

The Old Testament looks forward to Jesus, showing us why He had to come to earth in the likeness of human form. The four Gospels tell us about His earthly life, death on the cross, resurrection from the grave, and ascension back into heaven. The rest of the New Testament explains what it means to follow Him and builds on everything the Old Testament and Gospels have said. So, every part of the Bible helps us understand who Jesus is and why He came.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day searched the Scriptures diligently, but they missed the One to whom they pointed (John 5:39). They knew the words but failed to see the Word made flesh standing in front of them. We long for children today to avoid that mistake. We want them to see Jesus clearly, to recognize that the Bible is not a disconnected collection of moral tales, but one unified story that climaxes in the life, death, and resurrection of the Saviour.

Our prayer is that this book will not only inform minds but also transform lives. And that it will spark a lifelong habit in children of reading the Bible as God intended, with eyes fixed on Jesus from beginning to end.

The Bible is one great story. It begins in a garden, it climaxes at a cross, and it ends in a new creation where every tear will be wiped away. Our hope is that The Saviour Unveiled will help children begin to see that story for themselves, to marvel at the Saviour it reveals, and to place their trust in Him.

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