COURAGE :: a new book from C&U
:: A new book from Connected & Useful ::
:: Available now in EBOOK, PAPERBACK & HARDCOVER & formats ::
:: about COURAGE ::
Find strength to face these evil days with COURAGE - an inspiring new collection of full-color artwork, poetry and testimonies compiled by Joel Howard. Book number thirteen in a series from Connected & Useful, COURAGE, features the artwork, stories and poetry of contributors from all over the world. For over seven years Connected & Useful has existed to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and hurting world, as well as to encourage the Church of Christ around the world to keep up the good fight of faith. Visit connectedanduseful (dot) com for more.
From the introduction by John Howard Phillips:
It is noteworthy that the phrase “Do not be afraid” (or “fear not”) appears more than 300 times throughout the Bible, making it one of the most frequently repeated commands in all of Scripture. Hebrews 13:5-6 records God Himself declaring, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” God repeats this promise throughout the Bible. It is woven into the very fabric of all His dealings with His people. The promise stands on His unbreakable word and is guaranteed by the character of the one who makes it. His word is described as the word of truth (Psalm 119:43), and Jesus affirmed “thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
If God has promised to be with us, then what should we fear? The strength of any promise depends on the character of the one who gives it. Our trust is rooted in the certainty that God cannot lie. The same word spoken to Moses, Joshua, or David is spoken to us. The source of the promise is TRUTH itself, God, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Our assurance is founded on this unwavering foundation.
:: Contributors ::
Pauly Rodriguez
Pauly & Daniel Rodriguez, Directors of ABBA Ministry and Hugging His Lambs, are a missionary couple in Bogotá, Colombia, blessed with four children and dedicated to training and equipping families to become houses of prayer. They are passionate about leading others into a life of prayer that restores families and transforms nations. Inspired by Matthew 21:13 and Luke 1:17, their mission is to see hearts restored to God and families prepared for the Lord’s coming.
Visit www.encounterabba.com & www.hugginghislambs.org
Visit www.encounterabba.com & www.hugginghislambs.org
Billy Hyer
Billy grew up in a pastor’s home, where he was taught from a young age about God’s love and the importance of loving God in return. After high school, Billy dedicated five years to serving in the mission field across various countries before transitioning to a career as a photographer. During this time, he married his wife Rachel and welcomed two sons, Henry and August. Twenty years later, God reignited Billy’s call to missions, this time encompassing not just his life but also those of his family. By God’s grace, Billy and his family presently serve as missionaries in Cebu, Philippines, where God has opened specific doors for their ministry. As a family they continue to learn the vital truth, Gods' faithfulness is worthy of our faithfulness, His trustworthiness is completely deserving of our full trust.
Pastor Dev Shrestha
Dev Shrestha is the Pastor and Founder of NIGAH Missions Church and serves as President and Founder of both the Kathmandu Bible Institute and Research Centre (KBI Network), a fellowship of local churches in Nepal, and the Bhim Foundation Nepal, a social service organization. Originally from the Parsa district, he is an indigenous missionary and church planter in the Kathmandu Valley. He is the author of History of Capuchin Missionaries During Medieval Nepal and co-author of Christianity in Pokhara. Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Theology, a Master of Divinity, a Master of Arts in History, and a Master of Theology in Missiology with a focus on Intercultural Studies. Beyond ministry and scholarship, he is a devoted husband to Sujita and father of three children—Devas, Kavod, and Shekinah.Nigah Missions Church,
Steve Chab
Post Box No. 8850, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: devshrestha1985@gmail.com
Steve Chab creates music, art, and words because Yeshua loves you. Medium and genre do not limit Steve, as his songs weave together abstract hip hop, prog rock, emo, and post-hardcore. His poetry and lyrics challenge listeners through Biblical themes. Steve’s visual artwork bends patterns into glitchy, saturated worlds. Alongside his personal projects, he’s produced music, crafted artwork, and offered creative direction for fellow artists and non-profits. He calls Pittsburgh home, where he lives with his wife, their children, and a pit bull.
Will began his poetry and song writing journey with a 2.5 year study through the Psalms in his morning times with Jesus. Through reading, writing, singing, and paraphrasing the Psalms in poetry and song, the Lord would sometimes bless him with a melody to put the lyrics to. His greatest desire is to make disciple-making disciples that will live in light of the day of the Lord.
John Howard Phillips
John Howard Phillips was born in St. Johns, Antigua (West Indies), to missionary parents serving across the Caribbean and South America. He earned his BA in the United States and an M.A.R. in Biblical Theology from Asbury Theological Seminary. With over twelve years as a crisis counselor and twenty-six years as an educator for at-risk youth, John’s career has been shaped by his experiences witnessing courage and resilience grounded in faith. His life allowed him to witness courage in its rawest form—courage that transcended hardship, danger, forged by unshakable faith in God and His promises. He explores these biblical themes in the book ‘Courage’ and is currently preparing a daily devotional scheduled for release in December 2025.
John welcomes correspondence at jphillips26176@gmail.com.
Joel & Sophia Howard
Joel and Sophia Howard live in New Jersey, USA with their three children. They have served as worship leaders together for many years. Sophia creates inspirational artwork on various mediums including watercolor, alcohol ink and mixed medium. She also is an art teacher to the next generation. Her artwork is thoughtful, biblical and meant to encouraged the body of Christ. Joel is the founder of Connected & Useful and has been publishing music, art and poetry to encourage the Body of Christ for many years. Find out more about Connected & Useful and about his work here.
:: Available now in EBOOK and PAPERBACK & HARDCOVER formats ::
Copyright 2025 by Joel Howard. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all poems are the work and property of Joel Howard. All art, writing and poetry throughout the book belong to each person named. All rights reserved. Used by permission. For inquiries and permissions, please write to us at connectedanduseful@gmail.com or visit www.connectedanduesful.com
