2026 Outreach Resources of the Year

APOLOGETICS

Resource of the Year

Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious by Ross Douthat (Zondervan)

CHRISTIAN LIVING

Resource of the Year

A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything by Andrew Arndt (Herald Press)

Also Recommended

A New Way to Love Your Neighbor: Be Curious, Free, and Brave―How to Transform Your Relationship with God and Others by Jada Edwards (B&H Publishing Group)

CHURCH

Resources of the Year

Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation and Building a More Diverse Tomorrow by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Raymond Chang (Baker Books)

Remissioning Church: A Field Guide to Bringing a Congregation Back to Life by Josh Hayden (IVP)

COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIPS

Resource of the Year

When Hurting People Come to Church: How People of Faith Can Help Solve the Mental Health Crisis by Shaunti Feldhahn and James N. Sells (Tyndale Refresh)

EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP

Resources of the Year

Love Goes First: Reaching Others in an Age of Anxiety and Division by Andrew Forrest (Zondervan)

S.P.A.C.E.S.: Permission-Based Discipleship Journey by Rashad Cunningham (TMM Publishing)

KIDS 

Resource of the Year

The Beginner’s Bible for Little Ones (Bilingual) by The Beginner’s Bible (Zonderkidz)

 LEADERSHIP AND CALLING

Resources of the Year

Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender by Nicole Massie Martin (IVP)

Godly Ambition: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Time, Talent, and Treasure by Ruslan KD (WaterBrook)

MISSIONS AND CROSS-CULTURAL

Resource of the Year

Global Christianity and Islam: Exploring History, Politics, and Beliefs by Wafik W. Wahba (IVP Academic)

SOCIAL ISSUES

Resource of the Year

It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity by Greta Eskridge (Nelson Books)

Also Recommended

Church Leader’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence: Understanding AI’s Impact on Ministry, Theology, and Culture by Christopher J. Benek (TryTank Press)

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Resource of the Year 

Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful: How Gratitude, Grief, and Grace Reflect the Christian Story by Drew Hyun (Zondervan Reflective)

Also Recommended 

Grace Beyond Salvation: Revealing God’s Love from Genesis to Revelation by Kyle DiRoberts (Moody Publishers)

THEOLOGY AND BIBLICAL STUDIES

Resource of the Year

The Incarnate Christ and His Critics: A Biblical Defense by Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed Komoszewski (Kregel Academic)

Also Recommended 

Five Views on the Gospel (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology) by Scot McKnight, Michael Horton, David A. deSilva, Julie C. Ma and Shively T.J. Smith (Zondervan Academic)

Lora Schrock
Lora Schrock

Lora Schrock is co-editor of Outreach magazine. She has 30 years of publishing experience and is the author of numerous articles and books.

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I’m thrilled that Alyson has published an important book about stepping away from the chaotic noise of the world and into the rest of Jesus in “Come Away and Rest: A Guide to Personal Spiritual Retreats.”

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