Pages and People: An inside look into Baker Book House
Join us as we explore the fascinating stories behind the books, authors, and readers that define Baker Book House, a cherished hub of inspiration in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Through engaging discussions and insightful interviews, we uncover theological insights, spiritual reflections, and the enduring impact of Christian literature. Whether you're a seasoned reader or a curious seeker, "Pages and People" invites you to discover the transformative power of the written word and the vibrant community it fosters. Tune in and embark on a journey of exploration, enlightenment, and inspiration.
Contributors
Pete McGowan (In Loving Memory)
Pete McGowan served as Director and Producer of the podcast at Baker Book House, where his warmth, humor, creativity, and servant-hearted leadership shaped countless conversations and relationships. Before joining Baker, Pete spent years in ministry as a youth pastor and ordained pastor, faithfully living out his calling to love God and love people. He was deeply involved in the Greenville and Belding communities and brought encouragement and authenticity everywhere he went. Above all else, Pete cherished being a husband to Megan and father to Ethan, who were the greatest joys of his life. Pete’s kindness, steadfast faith, and ability to make others feel seen and valued remain a lasting part of his legacy and the heart of this podcast.
Su Hecht
Kendyl LeMahieu
Guests
Alicia Michelle
ACC, CPLC, is an ICF-certified Christian life coach and NeuroCoach, a popular conference speaker, and multi-award-winning podcast host of the top-ranked The Christian Mindset Coach with Alicia Michelle. Through her coaching and courses Alicia has equipped thousands of women with practical brain-and-biblically-based tools to better manage emotions and to break free from perfectionism and people-pleasing in order to cultivate Christ-centered confidence. She loves to travel, paint, and enjoy life with her beloved husband, four kids, and three dogs. Learn more and download free resources at VibrantChristianLiving.com.
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Danny Carrol
(PhD, University of Sheffield) is Scripture Press Ministries Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy at Wheaton College and Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He previously taught for many years at El Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and then at Denver Seminary, where he founded IDEAL, a Spanish language training program. Carroll is the author or editor of more than a dozen books, including The Bible and Borders: Hearing God's Word on Immigration, Wrestling with the Violence of God: Soundings in the Old Testament, and a major commentary on the book of Amos.
Diane Arnold
Diane E. Arnold is a licensed professional counselor, certified EFT and EMDR therapist, and one of the founders of The Grace Center, an international emotional healing center. Find out more at TheFamilyCollective.co.
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Dr. Shirley Mullen
(PhD, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Wales) served as president of Houghton College for fifteen years before retiring in 2021. She spent four decades in the work of faith-based liberal arts education as a professor, residence life director, chief academic officer, and president. As president emerita for Houghton University, Mullen continues to speak, write, and consult as part of her ongoing commitment to encourage and invest in the next generation of leaders through mentoring and serving on the boards of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Jericho Road Community Health Center, the National Association of Evangelicals, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the 1st Amendment Partnership.
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Ethan Jones
PhD, is associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew and Don and Helen Bryant Chair of Old Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. He previously served as a visiting scholar in Hebrew studies at the University of Cambridge. He is the author and editor of several books and numerous articles that engage the language, poetry, and theology of the Old Testament.
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Jeannine Marie Hanger
(PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. She is the author of Sensing Salvation in the Gospel of John. Her research interests revolve around the Gospels, specifically literary approaches to texts alongside their ancient-world contexts.
Jennifer Powell McNutt
Jennifer Powell McNutt (PhD, The University of St. Andrews) is the Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies and professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. She is an award-winning author, a fellow in the Royal Historical Society, and an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian tradition. McNutt serves as a parish associate at her church and regularly speaks at universities, seminaries, and churches across the country. She and her husband cofounded McNuttshell Ministries, which serves as a bridge between the academy and the church.
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Kaitlyn Schiess
Kaitlyn Schiess (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a writer, speaker, and theologian. She is the author of The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor and is a regular cohost on the Holy Post podcast with Skye Jethani and Phil Vischer. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Christianity Today, Christ and Pop Culture, Relevant, and Sojourners. Schiess is currently a doctoral student in political theology at Duke Divinity School. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.
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Laura Frantz
Laura Frantz is a two-time Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Seamstress of Acadie, The Rose and the Thistle, The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State. Learn more at LauraFrantz.net.
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Mesu Andrews
Mesu Andrews is a Christy Award-winning, bestselling author of biblical novels and devotional studies, whose deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a "spiritual mutt" has given her a strong yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in Indiana with her husband, Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsy emails, blog posts, and social media. Visit her at MesuAndrews.com.
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Robin Jones Gunn
Robin Jones Gunn is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 books, including Tea with Elephants, the Sisterchicks series, and the Christy Miller series for teen girls. Her books have sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. Robin and her husband have two grown children and four grandchildren and live in southern California, where she co-hosts the Women Worth Knowing podcast. Learn more at RobinGunn.com.
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Skot Welch
Skot Welch is the founder of Global Bridgebuilders, an internationally respected diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm. Working with organizations ranging from churches to Fortune 500 companies, Skot leads the Global Bridgebuilders team in transforming enterprises by capturing the advantages present in every diverse workforce. The former VP of DiversityInc magazine, Skot is the author of several books, founder of the Mosaic Film Experience, and former cohost of the popular Radio in Black and White show. He and his wife, Barbara, have two children and live in Michigan.
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Steve Bezner
Steve Bezner (PhD, Baylor University) is senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church in Houston, Texas. He is a local leader and participant in Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, where he builds bridges with Muslims and Jews, and he serves on the board of the Houston Church Planting Network. He also trains church planters through Glocalnet, serves on the executive committee of Texas Baptists, and is an adjunct professor at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Bezner lives in Houston with his wife and two sons.
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Tessa Afshar
Tessa Afshar's award-winning biblical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into twelve languages. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes. Learn more at TessaAfshar.com.