The term “Christian” is used only three times throughout Scripture, whereas the Greek word hagios—translated as saints—is used more than 60 times, and identified and infused the early church with a sense of mission and belonging.

Addison Bevere, COO of Messenger International and son of bestselling authors John & Lisa Bevere, believes the “archaic” term is the mysterious key to unlocking the life of meaning and purpose many Christians crave. In his new book releasing January 21, 2020, Saints: Becoming More Than “Christians,” Bevere uses Scripture and personal stories to unpack what it means to be a saint, and invites readers into the wonder of following Jesus as God intends.

The Bible refers to all who believe in Jesus Christ as saints, yet Christians do not identify with the term. “It’s sad to me that we’ve relegated the idea of a saint to a chosen few, because all of us as followers of Christ were called to be saints,” explains Bevere. “Until we realize that’s the life we’re created for, we’re going to find ourselves frustrated with existence and religion.”

In Saints, readers will be challenged to reimagine what it means to follow Christ as they journey through a compelling call to ancient wisdom. “By the power of God’s eternal Spirit, you can become a saint: someone whose life is marked by a hope and a purpose that astound our world and point people to the One who is life,” writes Bevere. “As we yield to the magnitude of this new way of being, losing our smallness in God’s largeness, we will become people who participate in the mystery of life. We will become Saints.”

Endorsements for Saints include Bob Goff, Chris Hodges and Christine Caine, who says, "I truly believe that God's plans for each of us are far greater than we could ever ask, hope, or imagine. In Saints: Becoming More Than “Christians,” Addison will encourage you to stop fighting for victory and start living from the victorious destiny we already have through Jesus."  

As for his hope for the book, Bevere notes “My hope for the Saints message is to call people in the largeness and to the eternity that was written on their hearts so they can find the meaning and the purpose and the sense of mission that God has placed on them during their time here on the earth and see themselves within God’s greater story of redemption and reconciliation.”