What is a Church? | Love, Laughter, and Life

I adore book birthdays! Happy book birthday to What is a Church? I’m so excited to see this book out in the world!

Written by Angie Quantrell, Illustrated by Gayle West

Woman’s Missionary Union, 2026

I was honored to write this book with Woman’s Missionary Union. As many of you know, writing may be done alone, but it takes a team to make an idea and manuscript into the best version of itself it can be. I had such a huge team of collaborators who offered feedback and suggestions, from WMU friends and co-workers to preschool leaders to publishing experts to critique partners to the North American Missions Board (NAMB) and the International Missions Board (IMB). I think I counted at least 38 people who read and commented (some multiple times) during the writing and revision process of What is a Church? Thank you to all! What an amazing community! I appreciate every one of you!

One fun tidbit about What is a Church? is how we sourced the photos used in the illustration process. We reached out to NAMB and IMB asking for photos of churches. Not only church buildings, but the people who made up the churches. We wanted to show that church is not just a building (though that is certainly one use of the word “church”), but a church is the people! And people can gather anywhere in the name of Jesus as a church. That is exactly what we hoped to portray in this picture book, and the photos Gayle used (and did her special process on them to make them appear like paintings) showcase people all over the world meeting together to worship God, learn about the Bible, and fellowship with others who love Jesus. Not everyone meets in a church building! I love that!

Happy Book Birthday, TEAM!

Get your copy here. What is a Church?

I’ll leave you with a “book in the wild” sighting. Nova took a break from water and rock play in Nana’s garden to have a look and a listen. She loves books!

Despite my recent lack of much blogging, I have been filling my days with words and more words and even photos and illustrations! Most of the words have been in my head, at my fingertips, scribbled on paper scraps, sitting in Notes on my phone, and spread throughout various Word docs filling my computer. Haha!

I’m excited to announce the cover reveal of my newest picture book, What is a Church?

Published by Woman’s Missionary Union (2026), What is a Church? has been beautifully illustrated with a variety of photos from around the world! Gayle West did an amazing job turning photos into painting-like images.

What is a Church? is written with preschoolers in mind. As the youngest audience for books, preschoolers enter the world of “church” with few preconceived understandings of church, other than they go with their family, they see (eventually) familiar faces, and spend time playing, singing, and hearing Bible stories. What is a Church? will help preschoolers understand that church is a happy place and going to church is a part of God’s plan for their lives. Not only that, but preschoolers can begin to understand that they can go to church and be a part of the church too! Because church is not just a building. The church is made up of people-the family of God!

As one can imagine, there were all sorts of readers and comments and revising and updating. It truly takes a community, and I have a fabulous community to walk beside me. Here’s a giant THANK YOU! to everyone who contributed or assisted in any way to help bring What is a Church? to life!

What is a Church?

Written by Angie Quantrell

Illustrated by Gayle West

Woman’s Missionary Union, 2026

Drumroll please!

Without further ado, here is the beautiful cover!