Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Children’s book author explains story behind ‘Beloved’

  • November 27, 2022
  • Tracy Riggs
  • Latest News, Media Review
(Beloved Book)

Children’s book author explains story behind ‘Beloved’

After his first daughter was born, Jordan Feliz wanted her to learn how much she was loved by God, and a song was born. Now a children’s book is sharing the message with a new audience.

Feliz, a Dove Award-winning recording artist, wrote and recorded “Beloved” as a prayer.

“It is my deepest desire that you would never forget that it is in Him where your worth is found,” Feliz said he told his daughter, Jolie. “Now it is a prayer that we get to proclaim over our entire family and the world!”

Seven years later, a children’s book with the same title and based on the song has been released by Jes Woller, who said she wrote it because Feliz wanted to bring the song’s message “new life, to reinforce to his daughter and all of us that we are beloved, regardless of accomplishment or circumstance.”

“Beloved” is Woller’s second book. Though she has used writing as “a creative and emotional outlet” since she was a child — and even as a Kindergartner knew she wanted to be an author — she discovered as an adult that it wasn’t her main goal after all. 

‘Perspective’

She and her husband taught English in China for two years and once hitchhiked across the border into Thailand. 

Jes Woller now has four children, is a school secretary, Sunday School teacher, PTO president and evangelism volunteer, and is working on a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling. (Photo courtesy of Jes Woller)

“It was amazing,” Woller remembered. “It was very eye-opening. It really helped me put my worldview in perspective and appreciate other cultures and thought processes. It was good to help me think more about my life and what’s important.”

She now has four children, is a school secretary, Sunday School teacher, PTO president and evangelism volunteer, and is working on a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling.

“I like to be busy. I like to be useful,” Woller said. “I like to allow God to work through me to help out whatever way I can.”

While staying busy and useful, God began working in a new way in her life, Woller recalled — writing.

“I have always loved writing. I have always, always loved the magic of words and the catharsis that comes along with creating a story.” 

She started with blogging, then her first children’s book, “Miraculous Debut,” was published in 2019. 

Woller didn’t seek out being involved with “Beloved,” she noted, but God used what she had done with blog posts and “Miraculous Debut.”

After Feliz and Kory Henkel at Centricity Music decided to turn the song into a children’s book, Henkel found a web post Woller wrote for “Holy Hen House,” a blogging group, and asked her to submit a manuscript.

“[Feliz] had written a little overview of why the song was important to him and his family, what it meant to him as a father to write it to Jolie and all of the significant elements that he wanted brought into the book,” Woller noted.

She was one of many who sent in ideas, but when months went by and she heard nothing, she assumed her idea wasn’t chosen. She got the news of her selection while on vacation.

“I was camping with my family at the time. … I was just on cloud nine. I think I was like, ‘This is it!’ I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy in all of my life!”

Patience

Being chosen didn’t mean the work was over. Woller had to make changes until the manuscript was finished. The entire process took more than two years. 

A lesson in patience wasn’t all she learned personally, she said. The experience also helped her overcome feelings of insecurity.

“I might not have the readers or the agent or the other published experience other than my one small book, but they were willing to work with me anyway and we came up with this beautiful book.

“It’s something that I’m very proud of that’s been a wonderful gift — to feel that God can use me even though I didn’t feel qualified,” she said.

One of Woller’s favorite Scripture passages is Ephesians 2:10, which speaks of people being God’s masterpiece, created for His work.

“That one has always been meaningful to me — that I am God’s masterpiece. We used it in the book, and it has always been a favorite.

“Jolie is God’s masterpiece, and I am God’s masterpiece, and you are God’s masterpiece. It’s such a privilege and we have work to do in this world — so let’s get to it.”

“Beloved” can be purchased at jordanfeliz.com/BelovedBook.

To learn more about Feliz’ music and his current tour visit jordanfeliz.com/.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges
    ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • ‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’
    ‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’
    January 30, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

photo of Capital Hill, Washington, D.C.

ERLC releases 2023 Public Policy Agenda to confront opportunities, challenges

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has released its 2023 Public Policy Agenda, highlighting its national legislative and public policy priorities that the organization plans

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 5

Does It Call You to Trust God? Hebrews 11:1–6, 13–16 Many believers skip over the Epistle to the Hebrews, a biblical book better classified as

‘Don’t give up’: Coach Tommy Bowden urges pastors to ‘have boldness’

Longtime college football coach Tommy Bowden challenged Georgia pastors and politicians on Thursday to always take bold stands for Christ despite the fallout they may

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for February 5

I AM THE LIGHT John 8:3–18 Sky Beam, the world’s brightest man-made light, sits atop the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Airline pilots can spot

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel