Local Author to Speak in Dearborn Jan. 24

Source: Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church

Dearborn author and Emmy Award-winning producer/director, Chris Stepien, will talk about his experiences researching and writing his book, “Three Days: Search for the Boy Messiah,” on Jan. 24, at a community-wide presentation in Dearborn.

The Jan. 24 event will include a question-and-answer period, an excerpt reading and book signing, and will be held at 7 p.m. at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, located at 24110 Cherry Hill Road, Dearborn.

“Three Days” is historical fiction in the same genre as the recent best-selling book, “The Red Tent,” in that it is a well-researched and historically accurate portrayal of an ancient Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem, along with a fictionalized account of the lives of 12-year-old Jesus and his family during that
time.

The book focuses on the biblical account of Jesus becoming separated from his parents for three days during the pilgrimage.

"'Three Days' is based on the only Gospel story (Luke 2:41-52) about Jesus as a child, after his infancy,” says Stepien. “As a father of two sons, the thought that preteen Jesus went missing for three days in Jerusalem made me crazy! Who did he meet? Where did he sleep? Was he ever in jeopardy? My prayer life led me on a spiritual journey to write this novel."

Sharon Morton of Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church is very excited to host the event. “His book appeals to a wide range of readers – younger readers, fans of historical fiction, as well as those who enjoy spiritual literature," she said. "In addition, Chris’ talk about how his faith and creative process came together in the writing of this book will be interesting to people of many diverse faith experiences.”

Stepien was also pleasantly surprised that the interfaith community was responding so well to his story. 

“A rabbi is reading it. A Muslim businesswoman told me she’d share ‘Three Days’ with her imam. This novel has more than 300 Bible verses in the dialogue, mostly from Hebrew scripture," he said. "It’s a story for the child in all of us.”

“Three Days” is available for purchase at Amazon.com (eBook and paperback), and at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church (paperback). Copies of the book will also be available at the Jan. 24 event, but it is not necessary to read the book before attending to enjoy the presentation.