Singer Evan Craft, one of the most influential singers in contemporary Christian music, has taken on a new dimension in his work as a writer.
In his debut novel, The Extra Mile, Kraft steps away from the microphone to give a heartfelt and vulnerable testimony about his walk with God.
In an interview with the Spanish edition of The Christian Post, the artist delved into the book’s central themes: overcoming anxiety, the meaning of sacrificial service, and discovering God’s purpose in the simplest acts of obedience.
Oddly enough, the inspiration for this project came from another book. Kraft said the biography of missionary Reinhard Bonnke sparked a passion in him that led him to travel to Latin America when he was 21 years old. “I said, ‘God, I don’t want anything more in my life,'” he said.
Vulnerability as a starting point
One of the most powerful aspects of “Extra Mile” is Kraft’s honest approach to battling insecurities and doubts. Far from demonstrating complete faith, he shares his struggle to show that God is a safe place to release our concerns.
“I believe God is big enough to take our questions and concerns, and we shouldn’t be afraid to lay them at His feet,” Craft said.
It is important for him to understand that Jesus invites us to cast our heavy burdens on Him.
Kraft also talked about a key moment in his career when he found himself in a situation where the entire band left and didn’t want to do anything. In the tunnel of uncertainty, he learned an important lesson from his father. “It’s easier to act and then feel than to feel and then act.” Even though he didn’t feel it, his decision to continue serving God was what ultimately got him through.
Redefining the concept of “The Extra Mile”
Although the book’s title is based on the Biblical principle of pushing beyond limits, Craft gives it a fundamentally neighbor-centered approach. According to him, it’s not about seeking success as a pastor or winning awards, but about “radical love” manifested in selfless service.
The most obvious example was his bicycle tour across South America. In an act that complicated all the arrangements, he decided to invite two Venezuelan amputee paracyclists onto the course. The goal was to raise money for prosthetic limbs.
“Everything was harder, everything was more complicated, but if you want to do something important and meaningful in life, it’s going to be difficult,” he explained.
“In Jesus we see sacrificial love. God doesn’t need us, but he decided to love us and gave his Son. And that’s the love that leads us to go the extra mile and not always think about ourselves.”
purpose is found in action
For those who feel stuck or unsure of their calling, Craft offers practical and honest advice. That means joining your local church and starting serving. He notes how his congregation in Nashville has a strong ministry inside the prison and opportunities to serve in a visible way.
But he insists that achieving “further goals” does not require heroic acts. Purpose can be found in everyday actions that demonstrate God’s love.
“I have a neighbor who brings coffee from Colombia,” he said. “It’s about loving your neighbor as yourself. You can mow your neighbor’s grass. You can offer something very simple.”
Importantly, he explains, these acts of generosity ultimately lead people to ask, “Why do we do this?” And the answer opens the door to talk about the love of God that moves him.
Ultimately, the message Kraft wants to leave each reader with is one of hope and grace. “First of all, I’m an imperfect human being. You don’t have to be perfect for God to accompany you on your adventures or use you,” he concluded.
His hope is that readers will understand that if they are willing to serve God in obedience, God will guide their steps and provide growth.
The book, The Extra Mile, is currently available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon and Busca Libre, as well as Christian bookstores.
