Author
Teacher
Preacher
I’m honored that my book, The Thin Space, won a 2024 International Impact Book Award. The International Impact Book Awards are dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the exceptional work of authors who’ve written impactful stories that touch readers across the world.
-Dann
Master Storyteller in Holland, MI
Dr. Dann Stouten is the Pastor of Leadership and Teaching at Christ Memorial Church in Holland, MI. Prior to that he was the Regional Coordinator of Development for the Reformed Church in America. He was also the senior pastor at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. While Dann was leading Community, the church was one of the fastest growing churches in West Michigan.
Dann works with churches to help them assess their current reality, discover their preferred future, and develop a pathway to realize their objectives. His goal is to outfit the church to influence the world for Jesus Christ.
Dann is the author of The Gate: A Novel (Revell 2013), The Thin Space: Where Faith and Doubt Collide (2021), and he has written the Illustration/Application portion of the Teach the Text commentary series (Baker Books 2016).
The Thin Space: Where Faith and Doubt Collide
When Psychologist Rocky Devos lost his wife to cancer, he also lost his faith in the fairness of God. For over a year, he lived in the thin space between his love for God and his hatred for what he believed God did. Each night, he banged on heaven’s gate demanding an explanation.
The longer his prayers went unanswered the more frustrated he became. Eventually, he meets God’s silence with a silence of his own. But then, a year and four months later, the answer arrives disguised as a homeless vagabond who claims to be the apostle Paul. Clearly, Rocky believes he was delusional. But in their court-appointed sessions, he finds a kindred spirit.
The Gate: A Novel
When an ad for a vacation cottage catches the eye of a man on the edge of burnout, he impulsively sets off to visit the property while his wife and daughters are away. When he arrives and is ushered through the gate, he finds something far different from the typical vacation retreat. In fact, it seems he may have found the back door to heaven. The proprietor and people from his past welcome him with food, rest, and conversation until what started out as a little escape from everyday life turns into an experience he will never forget.
This imaginative novel explores the big questions we all have about what lies beyond this earthly life. Readers hungry for a taste of heaven will find in The Gate hope, encouragement, and pure joy.
Get in Touch
Dann would love to hear from you. If you have questions about his books or his work with churches in leadership, consulting, and strategic planning please contact him.
Dr. Dann Stouten is available for leadership coaching, consulting, strategic direction, and guest speaking.