No one would have ever suspected that God would bring together a pastor and a publisher from two different worlds to live out the grand finale of their lives, Together for a Purpose.
After the passing of Ross’ wife of 49 years and losing my mother after caring for her during the final year of her life, our worlds collided and things would never be the same. The loss we experienced would lead us together experiencing the highs and lows of this life with new found hope.
Ross and I have uniquely crafted this book to bring our voices together telling our story in a “he said, she said” format. Our hope is that through our own personal examples God will reveal how you,too, can be united within His purpose for you and your spouse.
We just released the eBook and would love you to download your own copy for just 99¢! When you do you will laugh, cry, and be encouraged that what God has done in our story, He can do in yours. Whatever you may be facing as a couple at this very moment, know that God can take your individual lives and bring you Together for a Purpose. He did that for us and I know He can do it for you!
So I’m hoping you will be willing to get yourself a copy of the eBook, read it, and then leave a review!
Click here to download Together for a Purpose
New Release Shares Power Couple’s Search for Purpose in Marriage and Ministry
A pastor and a publisher meet and marry later in life and are surprised at the fallout in his congregation. About one-third in the church the groom had founded and pastored for forty-nine years left in the year following the wedding. Pastor Ross Holtz was sixty-eight and a widower when he and Athena Dean, pioneer Christian publisher and podcaster, found each other and married. Immediately, they had to deal with a live-in blended family, change, personality differences, and criticism.
Ross Holtz says, “Our dream world of wedded bliss was becoming something less blissful and more of a nightmare than a dream.” Athena Dean Holtz says, “Walking into our marriage with stars in my eyes, I didn’t have any idea of the negative reactions heading toward us.”
The power couple tells their unique relationship story in a candid new release titled Together for a Purpose: Love and Purpose in Marriage and Ministry (Redemption Press 2022). Dr. Ross Holtz, the founding pastor of The Summit in Enumclaw, Washington, describes the book this way: “This is a love story. It is not the story of two lovesick youngsters for whom the whole world is atwitter because of their attraction to each other. Nor is this a story of two people naive enough to think that all one needs is love, or that physical love conquers all. This is a story of two seasoned travelers who have gone through enough of life to know that without the love God has for us, and gives us to offer others, love is a selfish enterprise that often leaves people unloved and unhappy.”
This engaging and often humorous narrative written by a high-powered Christian woman publisher and a ready-for-retirement widowed pastor deals with change and criticism, blended families, issues of compatibility, and meshing as a couple. More than just a love story, this growing-in-faith story touches on what we all long for—belonging, being loved for who we are, and finding a place of service to God and purpose in our everyday lives.
Athena Dean Holtz says, “Living together with a purpose with all of our baggage and expectations and assumptions and fears takes gratitude, humility, and a teachable spirit.” She adds, “Ross and I have told our own stories together to encourage you that God will be faithful to you in your relationships, no matter what age or stage you find yourself in.”
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Once you download the eBook, would you please take a moment to read a few chapters and then write a review on Amazon? (I promise it’s an easy, quick, and rather entertaining read! My pastor hubby has quite a sense of humor!)
When you have time, can you please post your review by November 28 (the print copy launches on the 30th).
Here are some tips about writing a review that helps get it verified by AMAZON:
Please don’t just leave summary of the book. Instead, give your thoughts about the book. How did the book help you specifically?
Do not include any identifying details within your review. Such as, “I am so proud of my FRIEND…” or “… is my AUNT and this book shares her journey.”
Be honest with your star assessment. We certainly hope you all think it has earned 5 stars! Studies actually show people searching for books feel reviews are more authentic when there are a variety of star assessments so give it the star rating you believe it has earned.
As we meet each week here in my newsletter my desire is to bring you encouragement and inspire you to live your life recalling the faithfulness of God. Our new book is designed to do that very thing so thanks for taking this journey with me, it’s an exciting one!
Click here to download Together for a Purpose