Monthly Archives: January 2026

Words for a Wounded World

Author Mark Richard Testifies to Christ’s Transforming Power in #1 Amazon New Release Words for a Wounded World

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Toledo, Ohio — January 29, 2026 – After decades of chasing worldly success and living in a false identity, Mark Richard (Ballard) surrendered his life fully to Jesus Christ. Now, God is redeeming his past and using it for His glory—just as Romans 8:28 promises.

Mark Richards’s debut book, Words for a Wounded World (Kharis Press), released on November 28, 2025, is already striking a chord with readers. In its first three weeks, the book was a #1 New Release on Amazon in both Christian Poetry and Christian Wisdom Literature. The book has also been honored with a Gold Book Award by Literary Titan.

Born out of real-life ministry moments, Words for a Wounded World is a collection of sixteen Scripture-rooted poems, each paired with supporting Bible verses, reflection questions, journaling prompts, and prayer prompts. The book invites readers into a journey of healing, conviction, and renewal through the living Word of God.

“For years, I filled my life with achievements, pleasures, and desires that could never satisfy,” Mark shares. “But when you lay down your version of life to follow Jesus, you receive His—abundant, eternal, and true. Even in a wounded world, the Word still heals.”

Building on this foundation, Mark’s next major ministry book, Sacred Sexuality: Grace and Truth Revealed in a Culture of Confusion (Redemption Press), is scheduled for release on February 10, 2026. It will equip believers to navigate today’s confusion about sexuality with biblical clarity, grace, and courage.

Words for a Wounded World is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Target, Walmart, and many other online retailers, as it is in more than 25 countries.

Get your copy today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3YMSNY6

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Richard Ballard
Email: markrichardministry@gmail.com
Website: MarkRichardMinistry.com

empire publishing

Five New Books from Pastor Randy Blan Including a New Children’s Book Series

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Each book is crafted to encourage readers on their spiritual journey with honesty and compassion. Pastor Randy Blan writes heartfelt books that inspire faith and hope in everyday life.

Grace In The Struggle

“When life gets heavy, you don’t need more pressure, you need more grace.”

In Grace in the Struggle, Pastor Randy Blan takes you on a 365 day journey to discover God’s strength, mercy, and help in your hardest moments. Rooted in Hebrews 4:16, each day offers scripture, honest personal stories, and practical reflections that will help you trade the weight of doing it all yourself for the freedom of trusting God, allowing you to find peace right in the middle of life’s battles.

Published by Empire Publishing and Literary Service Bureau, USA
ISBN: 9798349638749 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9798349639036 (Paperback)

Children’s Book Series

DELANEY, LEVI & DONNIE’S GOD’S STORY: THE FIERY FURNACE OF FAITH

This story is more than just an adventure, it’s a journey of faith, curiosity, courage, transformation, and the power of God’s presence in the fire.

Published by Empire Publishing and Literary Service Bureau, USA
ISBN: 9798295463235 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9798295462153 (Paperback)

JASPER’S GOD’S STORY: THE COURAGE OF DAVID

Jasper isn’t exactly what you’d call a warrior. He’s 7. He’s got a backpack full of Legos, an opinion about everything, and a pretty epic fear of public speaking. He’d rather build a castle than fight a battle. But then came the Sunday when his pastor told the story of David and Goliath. A kid, like Jasper, stood up to a massive giant with nothing but a sling and five small stones. And the craziest part? He won. Not because he was big or strong, but because he trusted God.

Published by Empire Publishing and Literary Service Bureau, USA
ISBN: 9798349655234 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9798348488161 (Paperback)

PAYTON AND PAISLEY GOD’S STORY: THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Sometimes the world feels too busy to notice the ones who are hurting. Maybe you’ve seen it, a classmate sitting alone, someone getting picked on, a little sister calling for help while everyone else keeps playing. These are the moments when God whispers, “Will someone show My love?”

That’s what this story is all about.

Published by Empire Publishing and Literary Service Bureau, USA
ISBN: 9798349654909 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9798349654732 (Paperback)

BROOKLYN’S GOD STORY: THE SHOES OF FAITH

This is the story of how a pair of shoes, and a quiet heart full of questions, led one girl on a journey of courage, faith, and unexpected purpose. It’s a story that reminds us that even when we feel unsure or unseen, God is guiding every step.

Published by Empire Publishing and Literary Service Bureau, USA
ISBN: 9798349618468 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9798349645549 (Paperback)

Available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and select Spring Arbor Distributors

Pastor Randy Blan has been in ministry for thirty-five years, twenty-one of those as a former Senior Pastor of Families of Faith Ministries and sixteen as the former headmaster of Families of Faith Christian Academy.

For more information you can visit Pastor Randy Blan’s website at https://pastorrandyblan777.com

certainty for life

Seeking Certainty: New Book Invites Eastern Orthodox Readers to Find Peace With God

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Certainty for Life: An Invitation to those in Eastern Orthodoxy by John Diacos is a compelling exploration of faith, assurance, and the search for peace with God, written especially for those from an Eastern Orthodox background.

Drawing on personal stories, biblical teaching, and the wisdom of early Church Fathers, this enlightening book addresses the deep longing for certainty that many experience in their spiritual lives.

The author begins by sharing his own journey—growing up immersed in Orthodox tradition, yet lacking confidence in his relationship with God. The book reflects on what he discovered as he searched the Scriptures, studied theology, as well as the many years spent conversing with those of Orthodox background.

Certainty for Life systematically examines why so many feel distant from God, the limitations of relying on tradition, good works, or religious rituals for assurance, and the futility of trying to earn God’s favour through self-effort.

Central to the book is the message that true certainty comes not from human achievement, but from God’s initiative in seeking and saving people through Jesus Christ. The author explains the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, showing how these events provide a solid foundation for forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. Through clear explanations and practical guidance, readers are invited to respond personally to God’s offer of grace, to experience transformation, and to live with confidence in God’s promises.

Mark Powell wrote in his review in Australian Presbyterian: “Certainty for Life is a book which I hope will—by the grace of God—make a profound and far-reaching impact. It is a book to both buy, read and then give prayerfully away. Diacos has produced an excellent resource for the church and coupled with his apologetic material which helps people to further engage with people from an Orthodox background with the truth of the Gospel, Certainty for Life comes highly recommended.”

With sections addressing common questions about tradition, authority, justice, and the role of good works, as well as real-life testimonies of changed lives, Certainty for Life is both an invitation and a roadmap for anyone seeking assurance of God’s love and acceptance. It is a resource for personal reflection and group study. Most importantly, this is a book to be shared with our Orthodox friends to aid in their journey towards spiritual certainty.

Raised in a Greek Orthodox family, John writes from a heartfelt desire to share with others the assurance of peace with God. Along with his wife Elizabeth, they have raised five adult children and live in Melbourne, Australia. John currently works as a medical practitioner but still holds out hope of being called up to play for Australia’s Socceroos.

Certainty for Life, published by Ark House, is now available globally.

verseflow

New Faith App Verseflow Offers Gen Z an Alternative to Mindless Scrolling: 3 Minutes with God, 24 Hours of Impact

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Daily spiritual practice app combines Scripture, guided prayer, breathwork, and a full study Bible with custom tagging to help young adults build lasting faith habits

Charlotte, NC — Verseflow, a new iOS app designed to help young adults develop a consistent spiritual discipline, launches today on the App Store. The app offers a structured 3-minute daily practice combining a curated Bible verse with historical context, intention-based guided prayer, and calming breathwork meditation—plus a complete offline Bible with powerful study tools built for how Gen Z actually uses Scripture.

“We built Verseflow for the generation that’s exhausted by endless scrolling but still searching for meaning,” said Jeff Gajewski, co-founder. “This isn’t about adding another app to your phone—it’s about replacing empty screen time with something that actually fills you.”

A Spiritual Discipline That Fits Real Life

Verseflow guides users through a simple daily flow:

  • Absorb — A daily Bible verse paired with historical context explaining who wrote it, when, and why it matters today
  • Align — Choose from four intentions (Strength, Clarity, Gratitude, or Purpose) to unlock a personalized prayer reflection
  • Activate — Guided breathing exercises (Calm, Focus, or Energy) to center the mind before the day begins

Each session takes approximately three minutes, making it accessible for busy schedules while building the consistency needed for spiritual growth.

Your Personal Study Bible, Always With You

Beyond the daily practice, Verseflow includes the complete Bible available offline—over 31,000 verses across 66 books. But what sets it apart is how users can make Scripture their own:

  • Highlights — Mark meaningful verses in six different colors
  • Notes — Add personal reflections, prayers, or study insights directly to any verse
  • Custom Labels — Tag verses with personalized categories for instant recall when you need them most

“We designed the tagging system for real life,” said Matt Marchel, co-founder. “A student can tag verses with ‘Before a Test’ or ‘Anxiety.’ An athlete can create a ‘Pre-Game’ tag. When that moment comes and you need a word from God, your verses are right there—organized the way your brain works, not the way a concordance works.”

The label system makes Verseflow ideal for Bible study groups, allowing users to tag verses by topic, book study, or discussion theme and return to them instantly.

Built for Gen Z and Young Millennials

Unlike traditional Bible apps that can feel overwhelming, Verseflow meets young adults where they are. The app features six custom visual themes, a dual-track achievement system that celebrates both daily streaks and lifetime spiritual journey milestones, and study tools designed for the way this generation learns and retains information.

“The historical context helps Scripture come alive, and the breathing exercises ground you before you rush into your day,” Marchel added. “But having your own tagged library of verses for specific moments? That’s what turns casual reading into a lifelong relationship with the Word.”

365-Day Structured Journey

Users progress through 12 spiritually-themed phases over a full year, from “First Steps” through “Wilderness Testing” to “Completion.” At key milestones tied to Biblical significance (7 days, 40 days, 70 days, etc.), users unlock exclusive Bible studies that deepen their understanding.

The app tracks two types of progress:

  • Daily Streak — Consecutive days completed, with 25 badges to earn
  • Journey Progress — Total lifetime sessions that never reset, even if a streak is broken

Subscription and Availability

Verseflow is available now on the iOS App Store with a free 3-day trial. Subscription options include $8.99/month or $59.99/year.

For more information, visit www.myverseflow.app or download Verseflow:Prayer and Meditation on the App Store.

About Verseflow

Verseflow is a premium spiritual wellness app created by NinetyFive Ai, LLC to help young adults build a daily rhythm of Scripture, prayer, and breathwork. With a complete study Bible featuring custom tagging and notes, the app is designed to replace mindless scrolling with meaningful moments—offering progress that’s protected, depth that’s unlocked, and growth you can actually see. Learn more at myverseflow.app

Media Resources: