Most of us who’ve been in ministry long enough have bumped into this question. Not in a philosophy class, but in the gut. Burnout, disillusionment, unanswered prayers. Matt Woodley wrestles with it honestly in his new memoir, That Beautiful Question (William Carey Publishing, May 2026).
Woodley weaves his own story as a pastor recovering from burnout with that of his son, a young ER doctor serving in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, where diseases easily treated in the West routinely prove fatal. Together, father and son confront the raw tension between knowing a broken world and still choosing to love it.
At just 158 pages, it’s a quick but rich read, full of gripping medical failures, miraculous recoveries, and honest lament that somehow leads to renewed hope. If you’re working with field workers, senders, or anyone walking through compassion fatigue, this could be an ideal resource to pass along.
Available now for preorder at https://missionbooks.org/collections/all/products/that-beautiful-question. SAVE 25% with the code PREBEAUTIFUL25 until the 6th of May! (Thanks, Kelly!)
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