I Can Only Imagine

A very touching book of God’s grace and will in our lives, and recognizing his blessings beyond our limited imagination.

I Can Only Imagine is an amazing song, movie and book! I loved it!

As a 20 year old singer/songwriter this story motivated me so much spiritually and within pursuing a career. I relate so much to Bart’s childhood struggles. It gives me so much hope for a great future even when I don’t come from the greatest past circumstances. LOVE IT!! READ It!

A must read, especially if you saw the movie. It grounds you and adds context to what the movie portrayed. My new "go to" when I need to find the strength.

I just finished this book. It was such a beautiful story. I now understand the story behind the song and have a new perspective of the song. Beautifully written BART.

Telling my friends to read this book. Thank you for sharing such your story.

I Love MercyMe’s music, but this autobiography of Bart is well worth your time reading. I couldn’t even imagine what he went through with his dad. The Lord Jesus took care of him, just like He’ll take care of us if we’ll allow Him to. I don’t want to give away anything about the book. You need to read it for yourselves. May God Bless Bart, Shannon, and the Kido’s.

The first time I heard of MercyMe was at a wedding and I Can Only Imagine was played. I walked out with tears of joy for the happy Bride & Groom but also tears of pure inspiration remembering those powerful lyrics. The song has been played in my car, my house and my work many times over. Reading Bart’s memoir really touched me. Just like the song. Having no idea he went through what he did, my heart reached out to him as I know someone that battles the same in many areas of their life. Bart reaches deep into his soul and so amazingly shares his story. To let us know that we are strong, that we can overcome. All because of the love of Jesus and His love for us, you and me! Bart’s story is riveting, emotional, inspiring and full of God’s grace. Bart has shown me that I can conquer any battle, any fear, all I have to do is pray and let God stand with me. He has shown me ways that I can help my friend by standing with them and guiding them in Jesus’s love. This memoir is very touching. Bring this read into your heart and be forever changed. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my own honest review.

Having been a MercyMe fan for a couple decades now, I was quite intrigued to hear the story of Bart, and their hit song “I Can Only Imagine”. This book surpassed even my wildest expectations. Bart tells the story of his upbringing in a home with (for the most part) his abusive, single parent father. This book is told from Bart’s perspective, so while the underlying abuse is taking place, we also get a glimpse of what was going on in the mind of the victim, and how he was making sense of this crazy experience we call life. He also describes how he got into music, how the band got together, as well as describing his courtship, and blunders with his love Shannon. The openness and honesty throughout this book was a fresh breath of air, and made this book tough to put down. To see what God did in transforming his father, from the man he hated, into the man he wanted to become, is only something that can be attributed to a ‘but God’ moment. The same God that did this amazing transformation in Bart’s family is still able to do that in yours. He has already done it in ours. Truly an amazing story, and I’m grateful that we’ve been allowed the opportunity to get to know the man behind the music. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.