Is there a single path that can reach both the lukewarm believer and the
skeptical non-believer? Beyond the Broad Path argues that there is. This book
speaks to believers who have grown complacent, calling them back to their role
as salt and light, while also inviting non-believers into an honest
exploration that assumes no prior faith or biblical knowledge.
Grounded in today’s fractured cultural landscape, the book confronts the
search for truth in a world of distraction, division, and digital
isolation—not to condemn, but to reveal what these forces are replacing
in the human heart. From there, it leads the reader to life’s ultimate
crossroads and presents the only solution – Jesus Christ.
With fresh clarity, this book makes the case that Christ’s message is
not outdated, but radically relevant—offering redemption, lasting joy,
and peace that cuts through chaos. Drawing from Matthew 7:13–14, readers
are challenged to recognize that time is finite and the choice of which road
to walk is unavoidable.
If you are ready to trade anxiety for certainty and the noise of the world for
the assurance of God’s truth, turn the page. The journey toward the
narrow way begins now.
Can you tell us a little about the process of getting this
book published? How did you come up with the idea and how did you start?
The idea really evolved naturally over a fifteen-year period. I founded an
online ministry called Life Beyond Horizons, which became my platform
for writing weekly essays about navigating faith in our modern, fast-paced,
chaotic world.. But after some encouragement from readers and a national radio
host who asked when a book was coming, I decided it was time to transition to
print.
Coming from a 40-year career in aviation safety analysis, my starting
process was highly structural. I laid out an analytical blueprint to map out a
specific journey for the reader, taking them from real-world doubts and a
confrontation with an atheist, all the way to the core truth of Christ. The
publishing process over the last two years was all about refining that
blueprint, getting to work with world-class editors to ensure it was engaging
without being preachy, and crafting a final product that gives believers
absolute certainty in their faith while guiding the honest skeptic to a point
of understanding the true person of Jesus.
What surprised you most about getting your book published?
What surprised me most was the sheer vulnerability of the process. In my
professional career, I write technical summations and rigid curriculum for
aviation safety and training - it’s all about cold, hard data and logic. And
with my online ministry, I was used to publishing shorter essays where you can
gauge reactions quickly.
But writing a full-length book like Beyond the Broad Path – Embracing the
Narrow Way of Certainty in Christ, forces you to pour your heart, your
personal experiences, and your deepest convictions into hundreds of pages.
Opening the book with a raw, personal confrontation I had with an atheist was a
big stepping off point as I begin the pathway for the reader.
Another interesting milestone is the editing process. I used to think in
writing a book that once you’ve hit that final sentence, the work is finished. Editing
and refining the work, ensuring the tone was perfectly balanced so it welcomed
the skeptic without compromising the truth, and structuring the chapters into a
seamless journey took a level of precision that was eye-opening. It made me
realize that publishing isn't just about putting words on a page; it’s about
carefully engineering an experience for the reader.
I’ve had people from all areas of my life - colleagues from my aviation
career, old friends, and even skeptics - reach out to ask me about the themes
in Beyond the Broad Path. It has reinforced to me how hungry people are
for authentic conversations about faith and direction right now. The publishing
process made me realize that a book isn’t just a product; it’s an invitation to
a much larger conversation, and seeing people pull up a chair to that
conversation has been the best surprise of all.
Tell us a little about what you do when you aren’t writing.
For the past four decades, my “day job” has been dedicated to aviation
safety and training. I started in the field, managing large teams at some of
the nation's busiest air traffic hubs, which taught me a lot about leadership
under pressure. Eventually, that path led me to Washington, D.C., where I’ve
spent the last 15 years overseeing major national programs at the headquarters
division.
While aviation safety is highly technical and demanding, I’ve never seen a
separation between the person I am as a professional and that of leading a
ministry. My ultimate desire has been to quietly model the character of Christ.
To me, true leadership is about service - striving to put the needs of my
colleagues and teams first and letting the love of Jesus shine through my
actions and commitment to shared tasks. Writing Beyond the Broad Path is
just an extension of that lifelong desire to serve and guide others.
As a published author, what would you say was the most
pivotal point of your writing life?
The most pivotal point was the moment I realized my writing was resonating
on a larger scale than I had ever imagined. I had always been a writer - both
in my professional life supporting aviation safety and through political essays
published by others - but for over a decade, my faith essays were just kept
online. Then, as I briefly touched on earlier, I was invited onto a nationally
syndicated radio program.
Hearing the host share how much she genuinely enjoyed my work - and then
asking me point-blank when the book was coming - was the ultimate turning
point. To have that moment of validation from someone with a national audience,
telling me that my essays on faith in this chaotic world meant so much to her
and her listeners, absolutely sealed the deal in my heart. I knew it was time
to push myself beyond the comfort zone of short essays and dedicate myself to
the next level. That pivotal moment set me on the two-year path of intense
writing and research that ultimately became this book
Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that
is?
Many of my best ideas come when I’m in motion. I maintain a strict daily
discipline of setting aside quiet time for prayer and Bible study, but I also
prioritize my physical health through regular exercise, like vigorous daily
walks or a bike ride.
I’ve found that when I combine the two, something incredible happens. While
I’m walking or riding, I spend that time alone in my thoughts, meditating on
Scripture or staying in a posture of prayer. There is a powerful connection
between physical activity and mental clarity. As the body moves, the noise of
the world fades, and that’s exactly when my creative energy sparks. Whether
it’s a new essay for the ministry or a chapter for my next book, almost all my
concepts are cultivated on those trails. It’s my daily space for spiritual and
creative navigation.
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
The nature of my criticism changed as I matured. Today, writing about faith
and Christianity in a chaotic world means facing intense ideological pushback.
Because I tackle controversial topics, the feedback can be incredibly direct
and aggressive. But I’ve learned not to internalize it; it's a reflection of
their beliefs, not the quality of my work.
The criticism that actually hurt the most happened decades ago when I was a
young writer. There is nothing more terrifying than handing your early,
unpolished thoughts to a loved one and waiting for their approval. When it
didn’t go well, it felt devastating. It takes immense courage to be that
vulnerable. Most writers weren’t great at the beginning - I certainly wasn't -
but looking back, I realize that learning to separate my identity from the feedback
was the most crucial skill a writer can develop. You must cultivate a thick
skin, or you’ll never step off the broad path of comfort and into your true
calling.
The advice I would also give for other authors is to be prepared to hand
over your work to editors and allow yourself the latitude to hear and process
their input. As good as you think the work may be when you’re finished with
that final draft – you have to let the process work. I gained so much valuable
insight just participating in the editing process and listening to the input,
working through the changes, and allowing it to become another level of the
creative process was ultimately very rewarding. It’s constructive criticism
that you have to accept with an open mind knowing in the end it will ultimately
improve the finished product.
What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?
My best accomplishment has been witnessing the real-world impact of the
message. Remembering how terrifying it was to share my writing as a young
person, looking at where I am now is incredibly humbling.
Through Life Beyond Horizons ministry and now my book Beyond the
Broad Path, my goal has always been to offer a compelling, grace filled
narrative that points people toward Christ. Every time a believer tells me
they’ve been pulled back into a daily engagement with God, or a skeptic tells
me they finally feel understood without being condemned and my approach has
opened their heart to find out more regarding faith in Christ, I view that as
my highest achievement. My greatest accomplishment as a writer is simply being
a reliable guide, helping readers navigate the noise of today’s culture so they
can find the path that leads to peace – the lasting peace found in Jesus.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Oh, I have a few skeletons in my literary closet! If you dig deep enough,
you’ll find a partially completed mystery novel from my teenage years about a
17-year-old sleuth and his trusty dog. I was strictly following the Hardy
Boys playbook, but I quickly discovered that writing a good mystery is
incredibly hard work.
Then, in my early 30s, I wrote a full-length fiction novel about a man
facing mid-life burnout who learns life lessons from his neighbor. Today, that
manuscript lives in my closet inside an old leather briefcase. It was wonderful
training for me, but if I'm being honest, it reads a bit like a bad soap opera!
What actually rescued me from the soap opera genre was my 40-year career in
aviation. All that technical writing reignited my passion for precision with
words. That led to political essays that got picked up nationally, which
eventually morphed into writing about my faith. I am incredibly thankful and
humbled that Beyond the Broad Path found a publisher who could guide me
out of the briefcase era and help me bring a message of true spiritual
certainty to print. The early feedback has been amazing, and I'm just so glad
this one didn't end up in the closet!
John Stephen Frey proudly wears two hats: he is both a veteran aviation safety
and training professional and the founder/Director of Life Beyond Horizons
Ministry. With a career launched over forty years ago in aviation, he uniquely
applies his expertise in safety analysis to his lifelong intensive study of
God's Word. Through his online ministry, John has reached a worldwide
audience, sharing prolific theological essays that offer a refined biblical
perspective on contemporary issues. While his work is mostly based in
Washington, D.C., John and his wife of over 45 years spend much of their time
at their home in Oklahoma, close to their two daughters and granddaughter.
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