Hope for the Prodigal ─ Bringing the Lost, Wandering, and Rebellious Home

Pastor and discipleship expert draws from his personal experience as a parent and wanderer in the faith to encourage parents that there is hope for their wayward children and equip churches with practical tools to reach and retain young people.

Jim Putman is the senior pastor of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho, one of the most influential churches in America. A pastor's-kid-turned-prodigal who was won back by his father and mother, Jim also had a prodigal of his own--his oldest son. With God's help, Jim won him back and he is now a pastor as well. A three-time all-American wrestler in college as well as a successful wrestling coach, Putman holds degrees from Boise State University and Boise Bible College. He is the author of Church Is a Team Sport and The Power of Together, as well as the widely adopted Real-Life Discipleship program.

Bill Putman has served in ministry for more than fifty years as a pastor, a church planter, or an executive. He currently serves at Real Life Ministries as a servant leader over Team One and as part of the Legacy Team ministry. He and his wife, Bobbi, have five grown children, including Jim, and twelve grandchildren. They live in Post Falls, Idaho.