Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott shares the Salvation Army work and writing passions of Michele McKnight Baker.

Michele McKnight Baker’s commercially published nonfiction book (Sandpaper Sisters: Addicts Turned Community Builders, Miracles Do Happen!) drew endorsements by Alma (Mrs. Colin) Powell, Tony Campolo (best-selling author on social justice issues), and Mary Pipher (author of Raising Ophelia). Recently, Michele has won awards in the Salvation Army’s national writers’ contest in both nonfiction and fiction, an excerpt from Soldier’s Heart garnering the fiction prize. Writing has always figured in Michele’s career, beginning as a journalist. No, earlier than that: as a fidgety grade schooler, shortest and second oldest in her class. She’s enjoyed building a successful marketing and business performance consulting firm, while earning a Ph.D. (Union Institute and University; undergraduate: Smith College) and teaching masters and undergraduate business courses. She considers it a privilege to currently serve as Director of Advancement for The Salvation Army, York, PA. Whether for business or general audiences, nonfiction or fiction, her writing is about giving voice to compelling stories, and to characters that haunt her until she has no choice but to listen, and scribe.

She is married to Frank, who has probably taken her to more Orioles and Giants baseball games than any other bi-coastal fan of teams that wear orange and black. They are the parents of Andrew and Dan. Dan and his wife Annie are the parents of two extraordinary daughters, Olivia Michele and Mary.