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Friday, June 18, 2010 – (Indianapolis, Ind.)  Wesleyan Publishing House author Bob Whitesel, D.Min,, Ph.D was awarded with the Donald A. McGavran Award from Fuller Theological Seminary for his scholarship and research into the field of church growth during its most recent commencement ceremonies. 
 

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by both practitioners and researchers for my ongoing investigation and writings on how younger generations come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,” said Whitesel about winning the Donald A. McGavran Award. “This award opens doors for more research, writings and consultations into how churches can grow, even while struggling,” he said. 
 

Whitesel’s recent award, and second earned doctorate degree, is the second award he has received named after the founder of Fuller Seminary’s School of Intercultural Studies, Donald A. McGavran.  The first award was given by the American Society for Church Growth for outstanding leadership in church growth. McGavran dedicated his life to trying to overcome social barriers to sharing the Good News, particularly reaching out to the poor and disenfranchised in the caste system of India. 
 

“I have studied churches and their leaders for almost ten years, and I am continuously energized when I examine how the younger generations are coming to Christ,” said Whitesel. 
 

Whitesel is Professor of Missional Leadership at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, an award-winning writer, consultant, and is considered “the key spokesperson on change in the church today.” Whitesel’s books for the Wesleyan Publishing House including the critically acclaimed Preparing for Change Reaction: How to Introduce Change in Your Church and two others concentrating on the spiritual journey seekers take called Spiritual Waypoints: Helping Others Navigate the Journey, for pastors and lay leaders interested in helping others along their way, and Waypoint: Navigating Your Spiritual Journey aimed at assisting seekers along in their Christian journey. 
 

Wesleyan Publishing House (WPH), located in Indianapolis, Ind., is a leader in communicating the life-transforming message of holiness through the publication of quality resources for local churches and ministries around the world. Current categories of publication include Bible study, transformational living, spiritual formation and pastoral leadership. 
 
With World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, The Wesleyan Church has nearly 400,000 constituents in 5,000 churches and missions in 90 countries of the world. Formed in 1968 resulting from the mergers between several like-minded groups, dating back as gar as 1843, The Wesleyan Church has its roots in John Wesley’s Methodism.