Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp follows six children as they bond through silly pranks, epic camp experiences, and their budding faith. Where did the idea for this book come from? 

The inspiration for Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp came from our Pastor’s daughter, Annabelle—who actually became one of the characters in the book! She approached us with a simple request: could we write a chapter book, since she loves reading so much? My wife and I were eager to create something meaningful, but we initially struggled to land on the right concept—something fun, faith-filled, and relatable for the kids in our church.

The breakthrough came when we volunteered at our church’s four-day Vacation Bible School. Immersed in the laughter, energy, and genuine faith of the children, everything clicked. By the end of the week, the characters, camp mischief, and spiritual moments had practically written themselves.

Can you share a little about your collaboration process?

As for our collaboration process, it’s truly a team effort. My wife and I bounce ideas off each other constantly—sometimes over dinner, sometimes late at night with notebooks on the couch. We each bring a different perspective: she’s great at capturing emotional depth and faith moments, and I tend to lean into humor and story pacing. We take turns drafting scenes, then review and revise together until it feels right. Working on this book as a couple has been one of our most rewarding creative journeys.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book? 

One of the most important themes we wanted to explore—alongside clean, lighthearted humor—was the idea that children can be guided and corrected with love, patience, and understanding, rather than harsh punishment. My wife and I are both survivors of severe child abuse, so this theme is deeply personal to us. Writing this book gave us a chance to model the kind of discipline we wish we had experienced—discipline rooted in compassion, communication, and faith, not fear.

We wanted to show that kids can make mistakes, pull pranks, and test boundaries, and still be met with grace and guidance instead of punitive responses. Through the camp leaders and adult characters, we hoped to reflect a nurturing approach that builds trust and helps children grow—not just in behavior, but in their sense of worth and belonging. It was important to us that the story demonstrate how correction can go hand in hand with love, and that forgiveness, faith, and community are powerful tools for shaping young hearts.

Can readers look forward to more books featuring the Paraclete Hills crew? What are you currently working on?

We are definitely discussing the possibility of turning Paraclete Hills Vacation Bible Camp into a full series in the very near future! The characters have so much more to explore, and we’ve already been tossing around ideas for new adventures, deeper friendships, and meaningful lessons that continue to reflect faith and fun in equal measure.

As for our current projects, my wife has returned to working on the next installment of her Charlie and The Magic Tree book series, which has its own whimsical charm and heartwarming messages. Meanwhile, I just wrapped up writing a brand-new children’s book—but this one is a total departure from Paraclete Hills. It’s very different in tone and style, which made it an exciting creative challenge. We’re both passionate about creating stories that connect with young readers in unique and lasting ways, and we’re grateful for every opportunity to do so.

Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon