Even If: Trusting God Through the Fire (The Official Book for I Can Only Imagine 2)

The inspiration behind the major motion picture I Can Only Imagine 2, this true story of heartache and hope from MercyMe’s lead singer, Bart Millard, and his wife, Shannon, shows us how even our deepest wounds can become doorways to God’s grace.

MercyMe was just a small worship band from Texas until January 2002, when Bart Millard’s song “I Can Only Imagine” swept the airwaves. Suddenly Bart, his bandmates, and their families were riding a wave of success beyond their wildest dreams. 

Then everything changed again. Bart and Shannon lost Shannon’s brother to a tragic accident. Their second child was born prematurely. Their oldest child was diagnosed with diabetes. Their marriage struggled as Bart spent more and more time on the road, feeling the weight of the band’s success on his shoulders. They wrestled with their faith. Is God still good, they wondered, even when our world is falling apart?

Drawing on Bart’s powerful song of the same name, Even If is a beautifully raw exploration of what it means to follow Jesus when life doesn’t turn out the way we expected. With hard-won hope, Bart and Shannon invite us into their story―a story not of perfect outcomes because of what we do but a story of redemption because of who God is.

Bart Millard is a celebrated songwriter and artist best known as the frontman of the award-winning band MercyMe. He wrote the iconic song “I Can Only Imagine,” which made history in 2019 as the first Christian song to be certified 4x platinum and inspired the major motion picture by the same name. MercyMe was named Billboard’s Top Christian Artist of the Decade for the 2010s. As a solo artist, Millard received a Grammy nomination for his album Hymned Again and has been honored multiple times as the GMA Songwriter of the Year. Millard lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Shannon, and their five children.

Shannon Millard is the wife of MercyMe lead singer, songwriter, and frontman Bart Millard and the devoted mother of five children. Deeply passionate about her family and her faith in Jesus, she seeks to live each day with purpose, gratitude, and joy. When she's not at home surrounded by the people she loves most, Shannon can often be found on the tennis court, exploring new destinations, or embracing new adventures. She treasures time spent with family and friends and is dedicated to making lasting memories that reflect the beauty of God's grace in everyday life.

Robert Noland is a writer and creative collaborator who has worked alongside authors such as Zach Williams, Michael W. Smith, and Craig Groeschel. Robert and his wife, Robin, live outside Franklin, Tennessee.