Meet Sarah Bessey

All right, let’s do the ‘official stuff’: My latest book, Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith (2024) was a USA Today, The Globe and Mail, Indie Book, McNally Robinson, Bookshop.org, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller.

I’m also the author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed books Jesus Feminist (2013); Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith (2015); and Miracles and Other Reasonable Things (2019). My collaborative book, A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal (2021) was also a New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and The Globe and Mail Bestseller.

I write a weekly newsletter called Field Notes with exclusive essays, devotional series, conversations, and more. You can sign up for Field Notes here.

Along with my friends, the late Rachel Held Evans and Jim Chaffee, I co-founded Evolving Faith. And I was also the co-host of The Evolving Faith Podcast with my friend Jeff Chu, which has been downloaded by millions of listeners worldwide. After seven years, I stepped away from that leadership role in 2024.

You might have come across my work anywhere from an article in a magazine or newspaper to a favourite podcast, the NIV Bible for Women, the occasional conference or church event, or maybe even my one-time blog back in the day.

However you got here, I’m glad you’re here.

I was born and raised in the prairies and foothills of western Canada. We lived in Oklahoma, Texas, and British Columbia over the years, but have returned home to Calgary, Alberta, Canada (on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3).

My husband Brian and I have been happily married for 23 years (he’s Nebraskan so we are all contractually obligated to say, “Go Big Red!” when that comes up in conversation). Together, we are raising our four beloved children, formerly known as The Tinies. The teenagers are all taller than me now, it’s fine. We also have two cats named Amy and Rory and yes, they were absolutely named after Doctor Who companions.

Good to Know

  • Pseudo-hermit bookworm

  • Textbook Enneagram 9w8

  • Was once called an “evil leftist menace to the Gospel” but forgot to get that printed on the business cards

  • Enthusiastic knitter

  • Loves a long drive, the Boston Bruins & Calgary Flames, daily walks, tea, and thrifting

  • Embarrassing fangirl for the television programmes Doctor Who, Schitt’s Creek, & Call the Midwife

  • Watches Anne of Green Gables (Megan Follows version) at least once a year, every year since 1985 and collects vintage L.M. Montgomery books

  • Has been known to cross international borders for Sonic tater tots and Dr. Pepper with that good ice

  • Makes most home decorating decisions by asking, “Would this belong in Kathleen Kelley’s brownstone from You’ve Got Mail?”

  • Can and DOES sing along with every word of 90s country #AlbertaGirl

 

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram every now and then.

If you would like to get in touch, please click here. (Please note that DMs on social media platforms are not a reliable way to get in touch as I’m afraid that I rarely read/check those inboxes.)