InterVarsity Press author and singer-songwriter Michael Card presented his latest book, John: The Gospel of Wisdom, with a concert and reading at the Baker Book Store in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 2. Over one hundred people gathered to hear Card read from the book and perform music.

"It was exciting to see the warm welcome from the Grand Rapids community for Michael Card on Saturday evening," said Sue Smith, Baker Book Store manager CBA chairman of the board. "Our goal here at Baker is to serve the church, both with quality product and experience. Our doors are open to the Grand Rapids community as a place to gather together in fellowship. When publishers such as InterVarsity Press come alongside us in this objective, we are empowered in our service... As [Card] taught from his newest book, we are reminded of his vigor for the Word of God. What a gifted teacher."

Card engaged with the crowd through classic songs such as "Joy in the Journey" and "Immanuel," as well as new songs from the John album. Card took suggestions from the crowd for additional songs to collectively sing, and spent about thirty minutes answering questions from fans and readers interested in his background and work on the Biblical Imagination Series.

John: The Gospel of Wisdom is the fourth and final installment in his Biblical Imagination Series, a commentary set engaging the four Gospel writers at the level of informed imagination. This work is a culmination of Card's studying the four Gospels, taking seriously the individual life and voice of each biblical writer and allowing readers to recapture the beauty and power of Christ. Card has released a complementary music album for each Gospel as well, providing extended musical meditations on the wisdom of Jesus.

"Working on the Biblical Imagination Series throughout the past six years with Michael Card has been an absolute delight," said Jeff Crosby, associate publisher and director of sales and marketing. "His insight into the Gospel texts and their application to our lives—both in song and the four books—is remarkable. With each of the four launches, we enjoyed collaborating with a leading retailer to bring these books and recordings to an individual market where Michael's messages have found a wide audience, including Minneapolis, Chicago, central Pennsylvania and now Grand Rapids. IVP extends its thanks to Sue Smith and the staff of the Baker Book Store for helping us celebrate the release of the volume on John's Gospel, and the completion of the series."

Card closed out the evening by interacting with attendees and long-time fans one-on-one, signing books and sharing in their stories.

"Baker Book Store did a terrific job helping Michael Card to celebrate the completion of the Gospels project he did with InterVarsity Press," said Card's manager, Holly Benyousky. "Michael was welcomed warmly at Baker Book Store by a standing-room only crowd where he read from his final Gospel volume and sang several songs from the CD. He included some old favorites, which many in the audience sang along with him, an added sweetness to the night. We have been partnered and supported by the best in our association with both InterVarsity Press and Baker Book Store. For those people and others along the way, we are most grateful."

For more information about Baker Book Store, please visit bakerbookstore.com. For more information about the Biblical Imagination Series and Michael Card's books and CDs, please visit ivpress.us/the-biblical-imagination-series.