Fighting for Family - by Chris Bennett & Julie Bennett (Hardcover)

About the Book

From a husband-and-wife team, honest reflections on and practical strategies for combating loneliness and disconnection by building a healthy family, right where you are.

Book Synopsis

How to combat our loneliness epidemic, build deep connection, and fight for (not with!) the ones you love, no matter what challenges you face.

In a time when so many suffer from isolation and it feels like developing authentic relationships and true belonging is harder than ever, Chris and Julie Bennett invite you into their story to discover why we were meant for togetherness and why it's worth facing any amount of hardship to keep our faith, families, and communities at the center of who we are.

When Chris and Julie and their four kids moved from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles (which just happened to be one of the most disconnected cities in the United States), they knew they were setting out on a great adventure. They'd be leaving behind the church they had pastored, the comfort of their established community, and the familiarity of their daily routines, but the new city promised to bring some much-needed change.

What they didn't expect was how this adventure--complicated by a cancer diagnosis, a relapse, and a pandemic--would challenge their notions of what it means to care for each other well, both as a biological family and as part of a broader community.

Rebelliously hopeful, the couple will take you on their harrowing journey as they show how family--whether biological, adopted, or chosen--is the greatest risk you'll ever take, the best reward you'll ever gain, and an essential part of what makes us human.

Review Quotes

'A remarkable guide that reminds us of the timeless essence of what family truly means. Julie and Chris skillfully weave together a tapestry of wisdom, compassion, and practical insights to illuminate the importance of family and why it is worth fighting for. The Bennetts' eloquent and expressive depiction of family mirrors the qualities I've always recognized in them: discernment, love, vulnerability, acceptance, and fun!'--DR. SARAH KIRK, PhD, national certified counselor

'Chris and Julie believe, truly believe, in the power of family, of belonging, of truth, and they fight for it every day. They fight for it in their own family and for each person who crosses their path. They fight for it because they believe it is worth fighting for. Their story reveals--they're right.'--DANNY DEWALT, vice president and chief of staff, Pepperdine University

'Chris and Julie carry not only a passion for their own family but a unique ability to help others experience it in their own lives. Fighting for Family gives readers a front row seat to the intentional ways they are helping others experience the power of belonging. This message reaches beyond the home and into every area of life.'--MARK BURNETT, executive producer of Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank and ROMA DOWNEY, bestselling author, actress, and producer

'Families--we're all born into them, but for so many people the word carries the ache of painful memories. Chris and Julie Bennett have been through it all--and are here to give you hope. As they share their own stories through life's toughest challenges, you'll discover that family can truly be a place of love, forgiveness, and belonging.'--CANDACE CAMERON BURE, CEO of Candy Rock entertainment, producer, actress, author, and entrepreneur

'Fighting for Family is a must-read for so many reasons. . . . This is a book that shows you that faith can get you through anything, and that love is the most important thing that we have. The Bennetts prove that.'--NEAL MCDONOUGH, actor and producer

'Fighting for Family is not just a book; it's a beacon of inspiration desperately needed in our society. Julie and Chris's influence reaches far and wide. I'm confident this book will be widely shared, reaching individuals and families who are yearning for its transformative message. . . Its impact will be profound.'--SARAH PENDRICK, author, host, and founder of GirlTalk and Life Audit

'Finding out that someone's words and public persona line up with their actual life and values is always inspiring for me. And that is what I've found with Chris and Julie Bennett. . . . I can affirm these aren't just words you are reading. It's a reality lived out. . . . And Fighting for Family is surely a work where you will be inspired to keep wrestling and hoping for better relationships and family dynamics no matter where you find yourself on the journey.'--JONATHAN PITTS, author, pastor, and president of For Girls Like You Ministries

'Refreshingly transparent, authentic, hopeful, and hilarious, Chris and Julie have given us a gift in Fighting for Family. This book is for real people who live in a messy world and long for deep connection. Whether we are single or married, have children or not, we all long to belong, to be seen, to be known, to be loved, and to be included, because God designed us that way. For this reason, fighting for family is a worthy and essential pursuit.'--CHRISTINE CAINE, founder, A21 and Propel Women

'Studies show that isolation, sadness, and loneliness are at record highs. The time has never been more right for a book like Fighting for Family. Chris and Julie Bennett are not afraid to share the warts, flaws, bumps, and all that being a family can have. They take us by the hand and allow us in on the journey of joy, connectedness, and fulfillment that only family can provide.'--KYM DOUGLAS, author, TV host, comedian

'There are few people more dedicated to family than these guys. They practice everything they preach, and we don't say that lightly. Their life is reflected in the pages of this gorgeously engaging yet profound book. The message is clear: no matter what, you belong.'--DAVID OYELOWO, actor, producer, writer, director and JESSICA OYELOWO, actress, singer, writer, producer; Cofounders of Yoruba Saxon Productions