Pittsburg native pens first novel

Kings don’t start out as kings. Presidents don’t start out as presidents. Leaders don’t start out as leaders. That’s the message Joshua McElhaney sends readers in his new novel released July 24, “King in a Cave: Learning to be a King without a Throne.”

Mr. McElhaney, a Pittsburg native, said he wrote the book to remind people that you can lead from wherever you are – physically and spiritually.

“The book was written from the perspective of the younger generation who are looking to be leaders. You have to learn to lead from where you are,” he said. “Younger people tend to expect the older generation to step up and be a voice.”

Mr. McElhaney works at Ben E. Keith foods and serves as assistant pastor of the First Church of Tyler. He attended Texas Bible College in Lufkin and hopes to soon move up in church leadership.

“My book aims to inspire my generation to do something for God and for their generation,” he said. “The “cave” is the waiting period. It comes from the story of David running from King Saul who was jealous and wanted to kill him.”

While in the cave, many men found him there and sought guidance. David had to learn how to lead men who were broken and wounded, just as he was.

“Those men followed him the rest of his life,” Mr. McElhaney said. “The influence we can have in those periods – in the “cave,” – can impact our generation.”

Working the way up the corporate ladder can feel like a time of waiting and wishing, but Mr. McElhaney said it’s the perfect time to develop personal strength.

“We can make a huge difference in the waiting period. We aren’t on the throne yet, but we are having influence,” he said. “I’m aiming to inspire the millennial generation to wake up and do something.”

Judging by the reviews already popping up on Amazon.com, Mr. McElhaney is well on his way to inspiring more than just his own generation. Reviewer Jennifer M. Smith writes, “This is such a great book for all young ministers and assistant/associate pastors. The principles presented in this book are invaluable for those working alongside the man of God in their life. Joshua McElhaney takes biblical examples and his own experiences and presents them in a way that will benefit any minister wanting to embrace God's calling for his or her life.”

“King in a Cave,” is available on www.amazon.com and will be released soon as a Kindle download.