Hamilton Pastor Invites Readers to Reclaim the Local Church in New Book

WATERLOO – May 14, 2020 – We live in a time of radical church decline where one third of religious buildings in Canada will be abandoned in the next 10-years. Christians find themselves listening to pastors’ messages through a podcast or YouTube video rather than going to a physical church service. In light of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, churches all over the world have moved their services online, begging the question: does church really matter? In a time when the global church is changing to virtual services, Canadian pastor, speaker and author Kevin Makins believes the church still matters – perhaps more than ever.In his first book releasing June 16, 2020, Why Would Anyone Go to Church?: A Young Community’s Quest to Reclaim Church for Good (Baker Books, 9781540900005), Makins shares his journey of accidentally planting a church in Hamilton, ON at the age of 23 and striving to make church relevant to his generation.

In this exceptionally honest account, using personal stories from his congregation and adding humour, Makins helps readers rediscover the primal elements of Christian community, such as forgiveness, adventure, unity and participation, without glossing over any difficult issues. Readers will understand why they should reclaim the local church, despite the messiness.“Our church community is asking pressing questions about what the Christian community will look like for the next generation, who the church will be for and why anyone would go to church,” noted Makins. “Over the last decade of church planting, not only have we discovered that church still matters, but we’ve been learning that it may be more relevant than ever before.”

Endorsements for Why Would Anyone Go to Church? include David Fitch, Scott Erickson and The Meeting House’s Bruxy Cavey who says, “Why Would Anyone Go to Church? inspires people to experience and express the beauty and brokenness of life in the local church. Thank you, Kevin, for helping the Good News message shine more brightly as we join together in true community in the places where Jesus has put us.

”For those who have been burned or burned out by the church, silenced or misunderstood, left the church or never joined, Makins candidly and hopefully invites readers to consider what they miss out on when they give up on church and what the church misses out on when it gives up on them.

Interviews with Kevin Makins are available.

For interviews, contact Mikayla Stroeder, mikayla@grafmartin.com or 519-342-3703 x5.

Learn more about Why Would Anyone Go to Church? here.

Download the high-resolution book cover here and Kevin Makins’ high-resolution headshot here.

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About Kevin Makins

Kevin Makins (MDiv, Heritage Seminary) is the founding pastor of Eucharist Church in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, in Canada, which has been recognized as one of the most creative and innovative churches in the country and spotlighted on national television and radio outlets, in newspapers, and on podcasts. A frequent speaker at conferences and churches, Kevin also performs one-man shows in bars and makes videos for thousands on YouTube. His audience includes the faithful and the skeptical, those hungry to learn, and those who just want to hear a good story. He lives in an old house downtown with his wife, kids, and housemates.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Contact: Mikayla Stroeder; mikayla@grafmartin.com or 519-342-3703 x 105