This first review is from Kathleen Samuelson, Editor-in-Chief of CBA Retailers + Resources, in her column for October:

The way that Neale describes The River gives it life. The River could be frightening and angry, but also inviting and calm. It provided a foundation on which one’s faith in God could either float in His arms, or fight against the current.

I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Neale perform “The River” in song. recitation, and film last month at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He brought the book to life: the struggles, the heartache, the salvation, the joy. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t miss the ocean so much. But I longed to hear The River.

BookPage had this to say about The River:

Michael Neale’s The River gently sweeps readers along like a leaf in a current as Gabriel struggles with beginning a new life after a terrible loss.

Throughout this artfully crafted story is a genuine sense of The River as a force of nature to be reckoned with, respected and learned from.

And another great review from Booklist:

Neale’s novel is a powerful allegory about faith in something more powerful and mysterious than oneself. Gabriel loved The River as a child, but when it took his father and he was sent to live with his mother in Kansas, he developed a fear of the water. A trip to The River as a teenager reminds him of his connection to this wild place. As he trusts The River to lead him forward, Gabriel’s life flourishes into more than he dreamed it could be while in Kansas. Neale evokes a relationship between his protagonist and nature as real as any Gabriel has with the people around him as he learns that by trusting The River to guide him, he will end up where he is meant to be. The River is not without its rough patches, enabling Neale to illustrate how it is in the toughest situations that we find our way.

Life is bumpy . . . really bumpy. So today, I’m recognizing my need. I’m slowing down to hear the voice of the Father in my ear and feel His hand on my back, helping me over the bumps. It’s better that way.

Can you relate?

The night of the LIVE experience, a young woman in her early twenties was standing in line to have her book signed by Michael. When she was 15 years old, her father passed away. She had never been to church. In fact, her first Sunday of church was the week The River sermon series started and she said God met her so powerfully. After that first Sunday, she came every week, went to the church’s journey class (for new believers and those just coming to CF), and went to The River Experience. She said her life is forever changed by God. She was trapped in a holding pattern for many years but now she knows she was made for The River . . . made for God.

Isn’t it amazing how one experience, one moment, or one word can change a life? Her testimony is a great reminder that while we’re on our own journeys, we should always reach out to others along the way. They were made for The River, too.

If you were able to make it to the sermon series or the LIVE event and have a story to share, we would love to hear from you!

Here’s a personal note from Michael about his experience in teaching the series:

I’m continually amazed at the power of story to unlock and illuminate Biblical truths. I’ve been so grateful to have been mentored in life by Todd and Tom Mullins.  Them allowing me to co-teach this series with them has been an extraordinary experience. I feel it’s just the beginning.

Next week, August 26th, is the last Sunday in the series and is entitled “Share the Story.” You don’t want to miss it!

Available from Summerside Press. To learn more, click here.

Based on the upcoming novel, The River, Pastor Todd Mullins and Michael Neale developed a sermon series to bring people on a 4-week adventure this August at Christ Fellowship. And on the first week of this adventure, there were nearly 20,000 in attendance at four campuses.

According to the storytellers, “This series will inspire you to live the life God destined for you. We will explore the calling God has for each of us and find ways to live to the fullest. Have you faced situations of suffering, discontentment or difficult circumstances? Well, get ready for the ride of your life as we step into The River where we find peace, hope, tranquility and strength in Christ.”

They’ve even prepared a River Field Guide to help you navigate the waters each week during the series.

If you missed this week, be sure to check out the sermon notes and tune in next week, Sunday the 11th, for Part 2.

On Friday, August 31, at 7 p.m. at the Gardens Campus, master storyteller and author, Michael Neale will perform a LIVE River Experience.

Certain to be an unforgettable event, Neale will lead you through the story of The River with original music, creative storytelling, and stunning visuals.

This event is being presented to benefit Hope for Freedom and the efforts to end human trafficking in our nation and around the world. All the proceeds will directly benefit Hope for Freedom and the opening of our new safe house this fall.

This is like nothing you’ve seen before! For information about tickets and registration, click here.