“Unexpected Transformation: Being Conformed to the Image of Christ” by Bob Leland wins the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List
According to the Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List, “as the annual judging draws to a close, the Eric Hoffer Award announces a small set of grand prize award finalists. Less than 5% of the nominees become grand prize award finalists. This small list, or “short list,” of finalists is an honored distinction of its own and is announced publicly during the spring of each award year prior to the grand prize announcement. Below are the current and previous short-listed entries in alphabetical order by book.”
Bob Leland’s “Unexpected Transformation: Being Conformed to the Image of Christ,” published by Author Reputation Press, wins the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List.
The Eric Hoffer Book Award commemorates the memory of the famous American philosopher Eric Hoffer by honoring outstanding writing and the independent spirit of small publishers. Since its foundation, Hoffer has grown to become one of the most prestigious worldwide book awards for small, academic, and independent presses.
Dr. Robert J. Leland, the oldest of five children, was born in 1942 to Gordon and Edith Leland and grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. He accepted the Lord as his Savior when he was just four years old and dedicated his life to foreign missions when he was six.
He received his B.A. degree in Secondary English Education from Northern Illinois University in 1966, his M.A. in Biblical Education from Columbia International University in 1971, and his D.Min. from Trinity International University in 1994.
He and his wife, (Ruth) Amber (married in 1966), served in Papua, Indonesia from 1971-2002 as church planters in the Citak (CHEE-tuck) tribe on the south coast, house parents at TEAM’s hostel for missionary children in Sentani (Sen-TAH-nee) on the north coast near the Papua New Guinea border, office administrator (Bob) and bookkeeper (Amber) in Manokwari (MAH-no-KWAH-ri), and the last nineteen years of their service at the Erikson-Tritt Theological College near Manokwari. They also spent nine months in Singapore (1996), teaching at the Asian Cross-Cultural Training Institute while awaiting their visa renewal for Indonesia.
His major project for his D.Min., Conformed to His Image, was translated into Indonesian and published in Indonesia. Upon his return from the field in 2002, he translated Mounce’s The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament from English into Indonesian, which has since been published in Indonesia for use in Bible schools and seminaries where Greek is taught.
He and Amber have also been teaching extension courses from the New England Bible College and Seminary (formerly Grace Evangelical College and Seminary, located in Bangor, Maine) up in Aroostook County, Maine, where they now reside.
Moreover, this masterpiece was commended by Michelle Jacobs of the US Review of Books, who writes:
“For those seeking to strengthen their faith and connect to Christ, this collection of lessons offers clear guidance and a way forward from confusion and uncertainty about God’s purpose. Reading and following these lessons will likely help readers conform to the image of Christ. Leland offers a deep understanding of Christ’s characteristics and believes with unwavering faith that lives in pursuit of Christ can be transformed. With over 300 characteristics to consider, readers can delight in the multitude of teachings and continuously seek Christ through his words and actions.“
Recently, Benji Cole of CBS Radio interviewed Dr. Bob Leland. “Unexpected Transformation: Being Conformed to the Image of Christ” is about helping yourself establish your goal when it comes to improving and transforming yourself in the presence of God.
This link will take you to a page where you can learn more about the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List: https://www.hofferaward.com/Eric-Hoffer-Award-grand-prize-short-list.html#.ZFLW4nbMKUk.