Tell us about your music ministry.

Mary Alessi: I am a pastor's wife, a worship leader, and I've been leading worship almost 20 years. I traveled with my family as a kid, and my dad and mom were evangelists, so ministry and singing are definitely in my soul. It's in my blood.

Worship really is the theme of my life. That's my style. That would probably be what would define me. I don't consider myself a worship artist; I am a worship leader. That's what I do every weekend and my projects carry a worship experience. My calling is to lead people into a greater walk with the Lord; not just sing a song but also really have an experience with the Lord through their worship.

Your new CD, Pressing On, was inspired by a difficult season. Could you explain what happened?

Alessi: Three years ago, the day after Father's Day, my husband had a severe heart attack; actually they labeled it a "widow-maker." We had no idea that anything like this would come; it just really hit us broadside. Steve had no health issues, never had any scare, no fear, no warnings from the doctors, nothing. He was very fit, very healthy. His heart attack came out of nowhere. It took the paramedics 45 minutes to bring him back to where his heart was stabilized so that they could tell me whether he would be OK or not. It was devastating, very traumatic.

Being a worship leader, we always say that in the deepest darkest moments we will praise God. We're always encouraging people that when they're going through it to sing a song of praise. The reality of it for me is that there are times where you're going through something and a song just doesn't come. When I was sitting in the kitchen praying, calling family and friends saying, "Please pray. Steve is dying. He's having a heart attack. This is serious," I couldn't think of a song. All I could really call on was the name of Jesus. It was in that moment that God began to do an even deeper work in my heart and in my life even in that area of what worship truly is. It's just a heart's cry.

Stephen Mansfield and David A. Holland | FrontLine

Best-selling author Stephen Mansfield and writing partner David Holland reflect on the life of 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate in The Faith and Values of Sarah Palin: What She Believes and What It Means for America. The book investigates the ways her faith informs and influences her personal and political choices.

Walter Wangerin Jr. | Zondervan

Based on Judges and Ruth, Naomi and Her Daughters weaves the history of ancient Israel into the drama of Naomi's life as a storyteller-poet. Naomi enters the homes and hearts of the residents of Bethlehem where she ministers to their physical needs, and as their wise woman or Hakamah, teaches them their history. Walter Wangerin's Boaz becomes a grief-stricken wanderer through the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah as he remembers Naomi's stories.

Steven Furtick | Multnomah

Steven Furtick says, “If the size of your vision for your life isn’t intimidating to you, there’s a good chance it’s insulting to God.” The 30-year-old pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C., says bold, daring faith is what authentic Christianity is made of and allows ordinary people to do the extraordinary. He helps activate audacious faith, awaken divine destiny and inspires believers to ask God for the impossible.