What Belief Can Do: How God Turned My Pain into Power and Tragedy into Triumph—And How He Can Do the Same for You

In his gritty debut, inspirational speaker Archer shares the story of his hardscrabble childhood and how it brought him to God’s grace. Born in 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio, Archer faced a litany of obstacles growing up: his teenage former prostitute mother had attempted to abort him; his home life is rife with abuse; he is sexually abused by a neighbor; and classmates ridicule him for his stutter. At the age of 10, he unsuccessfully attempts suicide. But a teacher changes the trajectory of Archer’s life by helping him master the spoken word—and find faith in God. With his newfound sense of identity, purpose, and community, 16-year-old Archer becomes a part-time preacher at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Cleveland, where he helps lead his sister and mother to faith. Archer, who is African-American, then becomes senior class president and valedictorian of his 98% white private school. Peppered with observations on the cycle of poverty and racial prejudice—and how he overcame both—Archer’s memoir is riveting, instructive, and will appeal to Christian readers looking for an inspirational story. (May)