Reclaiming Hope : Lessons Learned in the Obama White House about the Future of Faith in America

"An important and extremely timely book...Get it, read it, and talk to others about it." --Timothy Keller.

In this unvarnished account of faith inside the world’s most powerful office, Michael Wear provides unprecedented insight into the highs and lows of working as a Christian in government. Reclaiming Hope is an insider’s view of the most controversial episodes of the Obama administration, from the president’s change of position on gay marriage and the transformation of religious freedom into a partisan idea, to the administration’s failure to find common ground on abortion and the bitter controversy over who would give the benediction at the 2012 inauguration.

The book is also a passionate call for faith in the public square, particularly for Christians to see politics as a means of loving one’s neighbor and of pursuing justice for all. Engrossing, illuminating, and at time provocative, Reclaiming Hope changes the way we think about the relationship of politics and faith.

"A pre-Trump book with serious questions for our politics in the age of Trump...More necessary than ever before." -- Sojourners

"Should be read by Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, and all who are concerned by the state of our politics.” --Kirsten Powers, USA Today columnist and CNN political analyst

"Reclaiming Hope will certainly give you a fresh perspective on politics--but, more importantly, it may also give you a fresh perspective on faith.”--Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Ministries

"An important contribution in this age of religious and political polarization." --J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy

"A lifeline for these times." --Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way

“We can hope, and this book can help us.” --Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention

Michael Wear is the founder, president, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution that contends for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic and religious leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer. Previously, Michael founded and led Public Square Strategies, a consulting firm that helps religious and political organizations, businesses, and others navigate the rapidly changing landscape of religion and politics in America.

Michael’s first book, Reclaiming Hope, examines the role of faith in the Obama years and what it means today. He has coauthored or contributed to several other books, including Compassion and Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement with Justin Giboney and Chris Butler. His writing has appeared in the Atlantic, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Catapult magazine, Christianity Today, and other publications.

Michael and his wife, Melissa, are both proud natives of Buffalo, New York. They now reside in Maryland, where they are raising their beloved daughters, Saoirse and Ilaria.