Sarah Raymond Cunningham

Born in 1978 , Sarah Raymond Cunningham is an American author and speaker based out of Jackson, Michigan. Cunningham's writings offer spiritual reflection on life and religion.

Background
In August 2006, Cunningham released her debut book Dear Church: Letters From a Disillusioned Generation. Dear Church contains a series of letters written to those who follow Christ--churched or not. While the first six chapters delivered marginally cynical humor, the book eventually leads the reader "through" disillusionment rather than "to" disillusionment. Along with Dear Church, Cunningham launched DearChurch.Com which maintains resources related to faith and disillusionment. In addition, the website invites readers to write their own letters expressing comments or concerns to churches everywhere.

Cunningham has become a popular Christian speaker who has appeared at events such as Youth Specialties National Youth Convention, Zondervan's National Pastor's Convention, Driven, and the Women's Leadership Summit. She has also spoken with other top Christian female authors such as Jeanne Stevens (author of Soul School), Margaret Feinberg (author of Organic God) and Jonalyn Fincher (author of Ruby Slippers).

She is working on her second book published by Zondervan and has contributed to books published by NavPress, Baker Bookhouse and Tyndale Publishing.

Cunningham currently serves on the board and speaking team of Living Water Community Church in Jackson, Michigan.

Education
Cunningham earned degrees in Secondary Education and English from Spring Arbor University. She also completed three academic minors in History, Political Science, and Urban Studies before going on to do grad work at Western Michigan University and Liberty University.

Career
Directly out of college, Cunningham became a full time staff member at Westwinds Community Church where she launched a community-focused ministry called "Reach". Later, in 2003, Cunningham married fellow Spring Arbor alum, John Cunningham, and joined her new husband living and teaching amongst more diverse parts of her city. She has taught at both the daVinci Institute and Jackson High School.

Published Works
Cunningham is a contributing member of the Burnside Writer's Collective, founded by Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz.

She has also been published in Christian resources such as Relevant Magazine, Catalyst Publications, Next Wave, Ginkworld, and the Ooze.

Most recently, Cunningham's work was included in the best-selling book,by David Kinnaman and Out of the Ooze by Spencer Burke. She is currently working on contributions to a meditative Bible that will be produced by Tyndale and another full length book with Zondervan.
 
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