Joy in the Journey – Finding Abundance in the Shadow of Death

• Hearts Minds Bookstore's Best Books of 2015, Memoir

Steve Hayner was serving as president of Columbia Seminary and was healthy and fit when he found out he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He and his wife Sharol embarked on a journey together with their children that soon included tens of thousands of visits from friends and acquaintances via the CaringBridge website. The overwhelming response to their posts on this website attested to the surprising and engaging way that they chose to live in the face of death.As a result they uncovered the remarkable truth that God, our good Shepherd, provides a feast for us when we are in the valley of the shadow of death as well as in the green pastures.Steve was always known for signing letters and emails, "joyfully." These pages, including reflections from some of those closest to Steve and Sharol, offer us a hope-filled glimpse into what it means to walk with God in honesty, with joy, even through great pain.

“"Written as a series of journal entries on CaringBridge.org, this intensely personal book follows the journey on which cancer took the Hayner family. . . . This book would be good for those who are on a cancer journey themselves, as well as friends and family members who want a greater understanding of what is happening and what to expect."”

"Steve, Sharol, and friends all display a vision of looking ahead to the joyful life with Christ, and the hope that is brought through reflection on the Word of God. Interspersed throughout the book are poems and hymns, allusions to and quotes from the Bible, and more. These tidbits are not just insights into the hope found in Jesus, but also provide ways to reflect upon grief and joy in life. . . .Joy in the Journey is a hard read, but one that provides several helpful insights into living--and, sadly but necessarily, dying--well."

--J. W. Wartick, Always Have a Reason, December 23, 2015

"Joy in the Journey is a book to be savored slowly, read and reread, to be given to friends and family, to be a guide on the journey of life and death. . . . This book is a gift for all of us who struggle to follow Christ in the midst of life and death. . . . Through this book, Steve's life continues to ripple and ripple, teaching us to live joyfully in the midst of pain and to trust that 'in life and in death we belong to God.'"

--Kristin Stroble, The Presbyterian Outlook, September 23, 2015

"For nine months Steve Hayner fought a losing battle against an aggressive pancreatic cancer. During that time both he and his wife kept in touch with friends and relatives through the CaringBridge website. Their journals provide an intimate look at the struggles they faced together and individually--and what trusting God looks like. There's wisdom here for others facing illness, or befriending those who do. They write of hymns and the succor they receive from knowing that people are praying. Notes of encouragement bring 'hope and joy, not to mention distraction from some of the daily grind of this disease.'"

--Susan Olasky, World Magazine, January 23, 2016

"Steve and Sharol lived in and wrote about the victory they already had in Jesus. I found hope on every page."

--Elizabeth Murphy, Just Between Us, Spring 2016

"Steve Hayner signed his letters 'Joyfully.' That's the benediction appended to his death in this collection of helpful, humble, and heartfelt blog posts he wrote with his wife, Sharol. The Hayners, Presbyterian ministers, logged entries from the day in April when Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer until Sharol wrote her final entries alone after Steve had died. . . . The essays telling titles include 'Waiting, ' 'Grace Notes, ' and 'New Year, Last Chapter.' Sharol often turns to Psalms for succor, and she shepherds readers with her. . . . The authors often thank their blog's followers; a few readers responses are blurbed. Eulogies for Steve, written by friends and the Hayners' children, end this joy-themed book."

--Publishers Weekly, June 8, 2015

--Ruth O'Neill, CBA Retailers + Resources, July 2015

Steve Hayner was the president emeritus of Columbia Theological Seminary and an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA, as well as a professor, author and the former president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He held a PhD in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He served on the boards of World Vision and IJM, among others.[use photo of Steve and Sharol together] Sharol Hayner has been serving in ministry for over forty years with her husband, Steve. She served as children?s music director at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle and as children?s music director and worship coordinator at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. At age forty-eight she began seminary, and ultimately graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Ordained in the PC(USA), she served as associate pastor for discipleship at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and now serves as parish associate at Kairos Church, both in Atlanta. She has three children and five grandchildren. Mark Labberton is president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He previously served as Lloyd John Ogilvie chair for preaching and director of the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute for Preaching.Labberton came to Fuller after sixteen years as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, California. He has served as chair of John Stott Ministries (now Langham Partnership) and co-chair of the John Stott Ministries Global Initiative Fund. Today he continues to contribute to the mission of the global church as a senior fellow of International Justice Mission. He is the author of The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor and The Dangerous Act of Worship. Alex Gee believes that evangelism can be flavorful, soulful and fun. And his passion in life is helping others find their passion. His dynamic style communicates his love of God, motivating and encouraging others.He is the pastor of Fountain of Life FamilyWorship Center and president and founder of faith-based Nehemiah Community Development Corporation, both in Madison, Wisconsin.In 1994, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.

Hearts Minds Bookstore's Best Books of 2015, MemoirSteve Hayner was serving as president of Columbia Seminary and was healthy and fit when he found out he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He and his wife Sharol embarked on a journey together with their children that soon included tens of thousands of visits from friends and acquaintances via the CaringBridge website. The overwhelming response to their posts on this website attested to the surprising and engaging way that they chose to live in the face of death. As a result they uncovered the remarkable truth that God, our good Shepherd, provides a feast for us when we are in the valley of the shadow of death as well as in the green pastures. Steve was always known for signing letters and emails, "joyfully." These pages, including reflections from some of those closest to Steve and Sharol, offer us a hope-filled glimpse into what it means to walk with God in honesty, with joy, even through great pain.

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