NASHVILLE, TN – March 9, 2026 – This April, John Eldredge’s bestselling book, Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul, marks 25 years of transforming lives and shaping conversations about masculinity, faith, and purpose. With over 7 million copies sold and translated into more than 30 languages, Wild at Heart continues to resonate across generations, cultures, and continents. Its enduring relevance is underscored by recent shifts in spiritual engagement, most notably a resurgence in church attendance among men.
For a quarter-century, Wild at Heart has invited men on a journey to rediscover authentic manhood and spiritual adventure. The book’s profound message-that at the heart of every man lies a desire for adventure, battle, and a beauty to rescue-has catalyzed a global movement. This message is evident not only in the book’s sustained sales momentum, with the book and its companion studies selling hundreds of thousands of copies annually, but also in the 2018 rebranding of Ransomed Heart Ministries as Wild at Heart.
The 25th anniversary is especially significant amid sweeping changes in American church life. New research from Barna Group, part of its State of the Church initiative, shows that men now outpace women in regular church attendance, reversing a trend that has persisted for decades. In 2025, Barna found that 43 percent of men and 36 percent of women reported attending church weekly, the largest gap measured in years. Notably, married fathers have emerged as the most consistent churchgoers. This historic development underscores the vital role of resources like Wild at Heart, which speak directly to men’s spiritual curiosity and their pursuit of purpose within community.
This resurgence is part of a broader revival among younger generations. For the first time, Millennials and Gen Z are leading a resurgence in church attendance, reflecting growing spiritual curiosity and a longing for meaningful belonging. These insights affirm the ongoing need for ministries and materials that nurture the hearts of men and young adults seeking a deeper relationship with God.
Reflecting on this important milestone, John Eldredge said, “It has been a privilege to watch Wild at Heart travel the globe over the past 25 years. The hunger for a life that is true and for a strength that is real hasn’t faded; if anything, it has grown. Seeing this message continue to offer freedom and restoration to a new generation is deeply humbling. The human heart still longs for the same things it did twenty-five years ago, and I am honored to walk this path with so many.”
“John’s work, especially and including Wild at Heart, has changed my life in very significant ways. It has been an incredible honor and privilege to walk alongside my client and friend and to witness how God has used this message around the world to deeply impact millions upon millions of men,” shared literary agent Sealy Yates of Yates & Yates.
The impact of Wild at Heart extends far beyond the printed page. The Wild at Heart ministry continues to innovate, meeting the needs of a diverse and evolving audience through books and study guides such as Resilient, Get Your Life Back, and Experience Jesus. Really. The ministry’s digital outreach includes the acclaimed Wild at Heart Podcast, a source of conversation, encouragement, and spiritual training for thousands of listeners, and the One Minute Pause app, which offers practical support for integrating faith into everyday moments to hundreds of thousands of people each week.
Building on its mission of accessibility and growth, HarperChristian Resources will, for the first time, offer immediate streaming video access to the Wild at Heart teaching series on Studygateway.com beginning April 14th, with a code included with each Study Guide purchase.
In 2024, the ministry also debuted Wild at Heart: The Series, a four-part episodic documentary that captures the stories of dramatic transformation among men deeply impacted by the book’s message. These films, available on its YouTube Channel, serve as poignant reminders of the continuing influence of John Eldredge’s vision.
“It’s been a true honor for Nelson Books to work alongside John Eldredge and his dedicated team to bring Wild at Heart to readers around the world,” said Andrew Stoddard, VP and Publisher. “We celebrate this tremendous milestone and look forward to seeing the book, the study guide, and events impact an entirely new generation of men.”
As Wild at Heart celebrates 25 years, its essential message remains as timely and transformational as ever. The anniversary is not only a tribute to extraordinary sales and milestones but, more profoundly, an invitation for new readers and longtime followers alike to rediscover the sacred adventure of a life fully embraced.
John Eldredge is a New York Times bestselling author, counselor, and teacher who has inspired millions to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God’s love, and learn to live in God’s kingdom. John and his wife, Stasi, live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To learn more, visit www.wildatheart.org.
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is an industry leader in Christian nonfiction publishing. Nelson Books publishes a diverse array of leaders, experts, and creatives, crafting biblically informed and spiritually fresh books from a Christian perspective that enliven, educate, and encourage readers. The Nelson Books roster of bestselling authors includes Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Tim Tebow, John Mark Comer, John & Stasi Eldredge, Jennie Allen, Jefferson Bethke, Bob Goff, Ruth Chou Simons, Tyler Staton, Jason Wilson, Christine Caine, Zach Windahl, and Carlos Whittaker.
Contact: Lisa Beech, Senior Director of Publicity, Lisa.beech@harpercollins.com
