Dr. Chuck F. Betters, founder of MARKINC Ministries, has announced the release of his new book, "Learning to See When the Lights Go Out." The book is a deeply personal exploration of grief, suffering, and faith, drawn from sermons he preached in the weeks following the tragic death of his sixteen-year-old son, Mark.
The narrative begins with a serene evening when Dr. Betters, reflecting on God's faithfulness, felt a glimpse of heaven. Days later, a phone call delivered the devastating news of his son's accident. This sudden loss plunged him and his wife, Sharon, into a world of unimaginable grief, forcing them to confront profound questions about God's love and sovereignty.
"Could he still trust the God he had spent decades preaching about?" the book asks. Dr. Betters addresses these questions with remarkable transparency, offering readers an honest, biblical perspective on suffering. He writes, "Our journey has taught us that suffering does not have the final word. God does."
The book aims to provide hope to those in crisis, a mission that has defined Dr. Betters' ministry since Mark's death. Together with Sharon, he founded MARKINC Ministries, an organization dedicated to bringing help and hope to hurting people worldwide. The ministry continues through counseling, teaching, writing, and speaking, reflecting their belief that "what began as our greatest loss became a calling to help others navigate theirs."
Dr. Betters' pastoral career spans forty-eight years, during which he served churches in Philadelphia and Delaware, founded Red Lion Christian Academy, and pastored Glasgow Reformed Presbyterian Church for over three decades. He is also the author of other works, including "Teaching Them Young" and "Harlots & Heroines," and coauthor of "Treasures of Faith." His writing process is inspired by Charles Spurgeon and characterized by three words: loss, hope, purpose. When faced with writer's block, his solution is simple: perseverance.
The book is published by Lucid Books, an independent hybrid publisher based in Houston. Lucid Books describes itself as a partnership publisher, offering the connections and expertise of a traditional publisher with the author involvement of a self-publisher. They exist to help authors inspire, inform, and enrich the lives of their readers. For more information on Lucid Books, visit lucidbookspublishing.com.
For readers facing grief, unanswered questions, or seasons of profound suffering, "Learning to See When the Lights Go Out" offers more than sympathy. It provides the steady assurance that even in life's darkest valleys, God remains faithful. Dr. Betters lives in Florida with his wife, Sharon, surrounded by their four children, fourteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. He continues to lead MARKINC Ministries and enjoys golfing whenever possible.
