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The Book

HALF TWO

The Quest for a God-Honoring Encore

Ramp up your second-half expectations. Some of your strongest kingdom impact may still lie ahead of you. We invite you to buy Half Two, read it and live it.

Available in paperback and Kindle · With forewords by Dr. Ward Tanneberg, Dick and Ruth Foth, and Dr. Amy Hanson

Half Two book cover — a vintage suitcase on an open road

Let’s together pursue God’s best on this Life-Beyond-Fifty vision trek. Unforeseen hurdles lie ahead in this second-half quest to make it WHOLE, make it HIS, and make it COUNT.

Navigates the terrain

Charts this twisted, sometimes-bumpy terrain and offers practical alternatives to generational segregation, self-absorption, and non-viral faith.

Equips churches

Builds a stronger kingdom focus and vision for the burgeoning over-fifty population.

Bridges generations

Underscores vital roles younger generations can play in inspiring adults decades older, while also benefiting from their mentoring.

A great resource for adults in life’s second half and their leaders, who want to carve new, effective, biblically-grounded ministry paths.

Ready to read it — and live it?

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Half Two Devotional — a 14-day reading plan from Wes Wick

Free Resource

Free Half Two Devotional

A companion to the book: a 14-day personal devotional and group-discussion gateway. For more in-depth context and understanding, please order the full book on Amazon, available in paperback or Kindle.

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What readers are saying

It would be a personal dream-come-true if every church leader and minister would read Half Two and use it to cast a new vision for their own congregation. I also hope that every church member over the age of fifty studies it in a small group setting and reflects upon its implications for their lives. Thanks, Wes and Judy, for writing such a powerful resource!

Missy Buchanan

Writer/Speaker on Issues of Aging Faithfully

In his eloquent new book, Wes Wick calls on every one of us to make the best and highest use of all our experiences, for all our days. His examination of purpose, aging, and the church offers a powerful and purposeful blueprint for building stronger families and stronger communities everywhere. This book is heaven sent!

Marc Freedman

Co-CEO, CoGenerate

I was intrigued in joining Wes Wick's marvelous Half Two journey—one that challenges all believers to think seriously about what God is calling us to do with our remaining years. I commend this book to your reading—make sure to strap your seat belt on tight—you may never be the same!

Major General Peter Sutton

United States Air Force (Retired)

With deft humor and surgically precise questions for exploration, Half Two goes beyond analysis, providing strategic next-steps for engagement. Eminently readable, deeply personal, desperately needed, highly recommended.

Bill Dogterom, D.Min.

Professor, Pastoral Ministries and Spiritual Formation, Vanguard University

Engaging, inspiring, informative, funny … all words I use to describe Wes' book. Such an easy and enjoyable read, with practical advice and straightforward implementation ideas—balanced with real life stories. You'll finish the book feeling motivated to make new friends with people close in proximity but not in age. I encourage young and old to read this book.

Heather Crooker

Stay-at-Home Millennial Mom; Christian Berets Event Coordinator

Half Two encouraged me to continue to stay in the game. I didn't want to be on the bench.

If I could, I would require this book be read by every pastor — including those in life's First Half. Too often the local church ministry focus is directed primarily to a younger generation. Nothing wrong with that, unless in doing so older generations are disregarded or discarded. Half Two addresses that issue in an insightful way.

If you are not a pastor, but you are in life's second half — then this book will stimulate you to thought and action! I think Half Two helps us 'older' folk focus on our priorities — giving attention to the things that will matter 100 years from now.

Every church would do well to get a copy of this book for every Half Two congregant and have them form small groups to walk through the book, chapter by chapter. I believe such an endeavor will truly revolutionize lives and revitalize the vital Half Two segment of the local church.

Dr. George O. Wood

Former Assemblies of God General Superintendent

Now with Jesus, January 2022

Wes & Judy Wick are leaders in the movement to challenge people to steward their second half of life well. Reading it will rock you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to live the rest of your life with purpose.

Richard & Leona Bergstrom

Co-Authors, Third Calling

Wes Wick accomplishes what many authors fail to do—give clear solutions after detailing problems. What you hold in your hand is not just a book—it's a gift. Read it and embrace it. Your life will never be the same!

Chuck Stecker, Ph.D.

President, A Chosen Generation

From the Dedication

For Papa Don

In my mid-twenties and newly engaged, I was driving from San Francisco to Southern California with my soon-to-be father-in-law Don Popineau and family friend Stewart Novarro.

We were returning from a weekend missions trip to San Francisco's inner city. I had sprawled out in the back seat, trying to catch up on sleep lost to blaring police sirens the night before. Don and Stewart were talking, and my sleepy ears awoke to their spirited conversation. Don, recently retired from his house-painting career, contemplated an invitation from the San Francisco pastor.

“Mel Johnson wants me to join his pastoral staff,” Don confided. “And I'm seriously thinking about saying yes.”

Unprepared for this kind of radical upheaval from an early fifties layman, retired and seemingly so firmly rooted in Southern California, I was astounded. In my mind, 'older' adults don't leave the security of their suburban homes to minister in a rundown and drug-infested area of San Francisco. Certainly, I thought, he would come to his senses.

Or I would come to mine.

Don was a seasoned follower of Jesus who knew that his early retirement from a successful painting career was not a free pass to a self-absorbed life of leisure. Yes, he had a newfound sense of freedom, but he also fervently sought to live his life so that it counted for the kingdom.

Over the next months, he moved into a humble dormitory apartment, completed studies for his ministerial credentials, and began serving as a pastor at Glad Tidings Temple in San Francisco. After our June wedding in Southern California, my mother-in-law Peggy joined him. They rented out their Southern California home and leased a flat in San Francisco.

Over the next three and a half decades, I've had a front row seat to observe how spiritually fruitful life's second half can be as I have watched my father-in-law serve in San Francisco; plant a church in Southern California; complete numerous projects at a Christian college on the Central Coast of California; manage, upgrade, and re-sell apartment complexes; avidly read, study, and teach God's Word; offer poignant advice to ministers, friends, and family; and just plain “genuinely care for people.”

Even at the time of this writing, at 89, 'Papa' Don makes twice weekly visits to Life Pacific, a Christian college two miles from his home, to encourage and pray with students at their chapel services—something he has done throughout his eighties.

Thank you, Don Popineau, for being a living epistle of Christ. I've had the privilege of knowing you only on your plus side of fifty. Your first half of life was also an incredible adventure, but thank you for showing so many others and me how fruitful Half Two can be. It's with great joy and honor that I dedicate this book to you, Papa Don.

I want to be like you when I grow up.

— Wes Wick

Keep pursuing God’s best in your second half