Lee University’s Dr. Alexander Steffanell, associate professor of Spanish, will release his second book, “Transforming Grace,” in Colombia, South America, this summer.
“Transforming Grace” guides readers through 68 prayers, which are composed as pastoral works. Inspired by his personal walk with Christ and his teaching, Dr. Steffanell wrote the book to revive and motivate sincere biblical communication with God among faculty and students.
"This book is the result of my own life as a Christian foreign language teacher," said Dr. Steffanell. "During our devotions and meetings, I share these prayers and topics with my students to help guide them on their journey to be closer to Christ."
According to Dr. Steffanell, the prayers are designed to embolden churches to engage in communal liturgy. “Transforming Grace" can be used by church ministers and staff to strengthen the faith of their members by using the book as a devotional text and encouraging the congregation to write their own prayers. Since the book is available in both English and Spanish, it can also be used in a foreign language and faith-integrated classroom.
“We give thanks to the Holy Spirit for having motivated Dr. Steffanell to put this book together,” Reverend Dr. Miguel Fernandez said. “We also give thanks for inspiring him to continue moving us forward as a community that writes and as a community of the Word and the Way that walks praying to God always.”
“Transforming Grace” will be launched in the Girardot Presbyterian Church in Colombia, affiliated to Presbytery of the South (Reformed Synod).
Dr. Steffanell joined Lee’s Department of Language and Literature in 2007. He has directed several cross-cultural trips to Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Uruguay. He is also the director of the annual interdisciplinary conference on Latin American and Iberian studies.
Both English and Spanish versions will be available in Colombian bookstores or by contacting Dr. Steffanell at asteffanell@leeuniversity.edu.