My mother was a nurse. She didn’t just heal the sick—she lifted people up, one patient at a time. Her care was more than physical; it was emotional, spiritual, and deeply compassionate. She taught me something simple yet profound: If you want to be truly significant, live a life that lifts others up.

I didn’t follow in her footsteps—not in the hospital halls, anyway. My path led me somewhere different. Conversations. Stories. A discovery that significance is not measured by wealth or status, but by purpose and service.

It was 2009. A new frontier was unfolding—podcasting. Uncertain. Untamed. But soon, a pattern emerged. A common thread ran through every interview I led. These people—men and women from all walks of life—had discovered something greater than personal achievement. Their wealth? Not measured in dollars, but in purpose. Their joy? Not found in possessions, but in serving others.

Dian Alyan was one of them. She lost loved ones in a tsunami; the kind of loss that could break a person. But Dian didn’t retreat into grief—she built something: GiveLight—a beacon of hope for orphans around the world. Her life reminded me of a simple truth, that A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

And then came Brian Simmons, the man behind The Passion Translation (TPT). It was a timely introduction through Carlton Garborg, President of BroadStreet Publishing, the official publisher of TPT. Brian’s graceful interpretation, his work, his faith—it all pointed back to the same truth: True significance isn’t found in what we accumulate. It’s found in how we connect.

My book research team and I began looking to the early church—the model of generosity, unity, and faith in action. Acts of the Apostles. A bridge between the Gospels and the growing church. A guidebook for living a life of true purpose. The world measures success by what you have. But the Acts of the Apostles? It measured success by what was given.

They devoted themselves to teaching. To breaking bread. To prayer. They sold their possessions, ensuring no one was in need. And the world took notice—not because of their words, but because of their love.

“Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.”

Acts 2:42–47 TPT

And now…Truly Significant. A book born from 4,040 conversations. A collection of stories—of faith, of service, of people who dared to make a difference. Meet 19-year-old Sofie Roux, who built Bloombox to house the homeless; discover the life-changing work of the Downsizing Doula, Robin Abb, who helps seniors declutter and navigate where to live in their fourth quarter of life; and learn about Regina Herzlinger and her husband, who are delivering life-saving medical equipment to war-torn Ukraine. These are just a few of the inspiring lives you’ll encounter in this powerful book. Included is the very special story on Brian Simmons. You will enjoy the inside story on Brian and his family.

Of particular note is the feature on Dr. Judson Swihart, author of How Do I Say I Love You? Discover the research behind love languages that reveals eight patterns of expressing love. 

Inside each of us, there is a place where purpose resides. A quiet corner of the heart, waiting to be tapped. And when we do—when we embrace the gifts we’ve been given—we unlock something extraordinary.

“We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!”

Ephesians 2:10 TPT

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