title: My Second Chapter: The Matthew Ward Story
author:  Matthew Ward 
description: <b>Praise for <i>My Second Chapter<br /></i></b><br /><br />I remember hearing Second Chapter of Acts for the first time. It captured me on so many levels. But the thing I remember the most was one voice.I had never heard anyone sing like Matthew Ward, whose voice and styleare so uniquely his own. His voice was and still is one of the greatest I have ever heard.What a privilege for me to come to know Matthew and learn that the complexities and qualities of his talent dont compare to the compassion of his heart. He has been an example to so many of what it is to walk out ones faith.<br /><b>Michael W. Smith</b>, multiple Grammy-award-winning singer/songwriter<br /><br /><br />Matthew Ward believes that since we are all terminal, whats important is what we do with what weve got. Matt has already done a lot with what he got, and Im glad that one of those things now includes this book. His words ring as bell-clear, just likehis one-of-a-kind tenor voice. I foundthis a charming and disarmingly human read. Not all musicians can write. Matthew Ward has been twice blessed.<br />--<b>John Fischer</b>,seniorwriter,PurposeDrivenLife.com and author of <i>Confessions of a Caffeinated Christian</i><br /> <br />As a high-schooler I would try to catch a Second Chapter concert whenever the group was in the area (no up-front ticket cost sure helped!) There was always a sense of curiosity about their background, though, as they seemed to shun the contempory Christian music limelight. Even as Ive gotten to know Matthew and his family better, there have always been more unanswered questionswhere did Second Chapters unique sound (and his amazing voice) come from? How did he cope with losing his parents so early in life? What was the early Jesus music scene like? How did his bout with cancer affect him? Finally Matt answers these questions for each of us who have been so influenced by his music and testimony From his first days in the Jesus music scene and then his continuing solo career, from goof-ball pranks to a life-and-death bout with cancer, and from early struggles with Christianity to his challenging outlook on todays Christian music, fans like myself finally have the story weve waited for!<br /><b>Kurt Heinecke</b>, director of music, Big Idea, Inc., and six-time Dove Award winning producer and composer, VeggieTales<br /><br /><br />Reading Matthews book was like getting a backstage pass to watch Matts life unfold. and see how, from behind the scenes, God shaped both his life and music. Matthews storytelling made me laugh, cry, and ponder my own journey. How worthwhile to get a close look at the life of the man God uses.<br /><b>Kevin Harrison</b>, board member of Childerns HopeChest and Chick-fil-A owner/operator, Yorktown, VA <br /><br /><br />Funny, sad, moving, inspiring, and sometimes outrageous. <i>My Second Chapter</i> is pure undiluted Matthew Ward. Reading this book is just like hearing his story straight from his own mouth: conversational and passionate with not only a clear view into his life and heart, but also an inside view into Christian music history (a history he helped create with many others he discusses) and an intimate look inside Second Chapter Acts.<br /> <b>Devlin Donaldson</b>, co-founder of The Elevation Group and co-author of <i>Pinocchio Nation<br /></i><br /><br /><i>My Second Chapter</i> chronicles the life of one of Christian musics pioneer voices. Both profound and humorous, Matthew takes you on a behind the scenes virtual tour of Contemporary Christian musics roots as he tells his miraculous story. <br /><b>Paul Baloche, </b>recording artist, songwriter of Open the Eyes of My Heart
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  The Hero of Hill House
  
  
  CHAPTER 1. HOME AND MOTHER
  
  CHAPTER 2. THE STRICKEN HOME
  
  CHAPTER 3. AUSTIN AND HIS FATHER
  
  CHAPTER 4. AUSTIN GOES TO HIS FATHER
  
  CHAPTER 5. HUMILIATION FOR AUSTIN
  
  CHAPTER 6. TO THE COUNTRY AGAIN
  
  CHAPTER 7. THE RUNAWAY
  
  CHAPTER 8. WAYSIDE FRIENDS
  
  CHAPTER 9. THE CAPTAIN'S GUEST
  
  CHAPTER 10. WITH UNCLE JOHN AGAIN
  
  CHAPTER 11. AUSTIN TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF
  
  CHAPTER 12. THE REVIVAL
  
  CHAPTER 13. THE YOUNG CHURCH-MEMBER
  
  [CHAPTER 14. HOME
  AGAIN](The%20Hero%20of%20Hill%20House_split_001.html#filepos150646)
  
  [CHAPTER 15. THE BATTLE OF TWO
  WILLS](The%20Hero%20of%20Hill%20House_split_001.html#filepos161576)
  
  [CHAPTER 16. SEEKING NEW
  PASTURE](The%20Hero%20of%20Hill%20House_split_001.html#filepos171509)
  
  [CHAPTER 17. TO THE HAY-
  FIELDS](The%20Hero%20of%20Hill%20House_split_001.html#filepos182020)
  
  [CHAPTER 18. SIX WEEKS OF
  HAYING](The%20Hero%20of%20Hill%20House_split_001.html#filepos192940)
  
  [CHAPTER 19. INDECISION 