Author, philanthropist and financial expert Jeff Petherick celebrated the July 17 release of his latest book, Grace Like Rain: Soaking Up God's Best, Even When We're At Our Worst, while attending the annual International Christian Retailers Association (ICRS) convention held recently in Orlando, Fla. Petherick kicked off Street Week for the release of his Elk Lake Publishing title with numerous media and ministry interviews, including Campus Crusade for Christ, Faith Broadcasting, Control Track TV and Choose Now Radio, among others.

One of the highlights of the week for Petherick was a chance meeting with one of his personal heroes, recording artist, songwriter and author Michael Card. "We were introduced by a mutual friend. We chatted for quite a while, and he was so gracious with his time," Petherick says of his meeting with Card. " It was encouraging to me to see someone with his talent and experience still serving the Lord with his whole heart, mind and soul. He has an amazing spirit, the fruit of the sprit, about him. I was honored to be able to give him a copy of Grace Like Rain which I hope will continue to encourage him in his work as well."

Grace Like Rain, which follows the release of Petherick's publishing debut, Wavelength: Tuning In To God's Voice In A World of Static, examines the most powerful and perhaps most misunderstood power in the universe - God's grace - through real-life accounts about a God who did the unthinkable to save the unlovable.

Throughout Grace Like Rain, Petherick writes about grace in action, how God wants people to take the grace they have received and pass it on to others. In the book, he shares gripping stories of people surprised by grace and changed forever.

"Grace is transformative, not only to our lives individually, but to those around us. When we begin to understand this and receive it as a gift, we become empowered to show that grace to others in our lives," says Petherick, a successful investment manager, who has been featured as a financial expert by the likes of CNBC and Forbes. Petherick also is a philanthropist who is in demand as a Christian speaker and teacher.

"Jesus told us to be 'light.' However, light without grace is like a light bulb without filament," Petherick continues. "We will have no ability to illuminate truth without the power of love and grace. Grace Like Rain helps us see how God has used the brokenness and sinfulness of ordinary people to transform them into true light bearers for Him."

Petherick's attendance at this year's ICRS marks the author's first time participating at the convention. ICRS, featuring approximately 300 exhibits, brings together more than 5,000 attendees and exhibitors from the United States and more than 50 countries. The most recent show was held July 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Grace Like Rain is published by Elk Lake Publishing and is distributed exclusively to the CBA market through New Day Christian Distributors. For more information about Petherick, Grace Like Rain or Elk Lake Publishing, visit ElkLakePublishing.com.

Grace Like Rain is published by Elk Lake Publishing and is distributed exclusively to the CBA market through New Day Christian Distributors. For more information about Petherick, Grace Like Rain or Elk Lake Publishing, visit ElkLakePublishing.com.

Photo caption: Jeff Petherick, right, stops for a moment at ICRS to talk with multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter ("El Shaddai," "Emmanuel") and author of more than 24 books, Michael Card, left. (Karl Nilsson photo)

Jeff Petherick:
In his writing debut, Wavelength, Petherick shared with readers his stressful world as a rising star mutual fund manager in the 1990s, often finding himself in the role of expert for such weighty financial news organizations as The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, CNBC, Forbes and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. He went on to become founding partner in NorthPointe Capital, an institutional investment management firm with $1.5 billion in assets under management.

Following a life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ, Petherick embarked on many adventures with God, putting feet to his faith in such ventures as co-founding Impact India 360, which in the last eight years has built an orphanage, several schools, an elderly care facility, a church and a hospital.

Impact India 360 also offers college scholarships to village children and is involved in church-planting efforts throughout the region.

Petherick's work with Impact India 360 recently was featured in The Dancer, an award-winning short film garnering more than 15 awards, including First Place, Documentary Short, at the 2011 Los Angeles International Film Festival and Best of Fest/Grand Jury Award (out of 1650 films) at the 2011 San Francisco International Festival of Short Films. The Dancer shows life through the eyes of Satish Kumar, an 11-year-old orphan boy in a remote village in India. After the death of Satish's mother and abandonment by his father, the youth now lives with 200 other children at the Dowlaiswaram, India, orphanage funded by Impact India 360.

Since beginning his walk with the Lord, Petherick's many adventures have included leading high school and college students on multiple mission trips to minister to the indigenous people of Iquitos, Peru, in the Amazon Rainforest.

Petherick is married to his high school sweetheart, Gina. They live in Michigan and have two children and one grandchild.