Even If

Trusting God Through the Fire (The Official Book for I Can Only Imagine 2)

By: Bart Millard, Shannon Millard, Robert Noland

Narrated by: Bart Millard

The inspiration behind the major motion picture I Can Only Imagine 2, this true story of heartache and hope from MercyMe’s lead singer, Bart Millard, and his wife, Shannon, shows us how even our deepest wounds can become doorways to God’s grace.

MercyMe was just a small worship band from Texas until January 2002, when Bart Millard’s song “I Can Only Imagine” swept the airwaves. Suddenly Bart, his bandmates, and their families were riding a wave of success beyond their wildest dreams.

Then everything changed again. Bart and Shannon lost Shannon’s brother to a tragic accident. Their second child was born prematurely. Their oldest child was diagnosed with diabetes. Their marriage struggled as Bart spent more and more time on the road, feeling the weight of the band’s success on his shoulders. They wrestled with their faith. Is God still good, they wondered, even when our world is falling apart?

Drawing on Bart’s powerful song of the same name, Even If is a beautifully raw exploration of what it means to follow Jesus when life doesn’t turn out the way we expected. With hard-won hope, Bart and Shannon invite us into their story—a story not of perfect outcomes because of what we do but a story of redemption because of who God is.

©2026 Bart Millard (P)2026 David C Cook

The whole message

This book is powerful. Bart did a fantastic job. I can definitely relate to what he wrote.

This book is the perfect companion to the I Can Only Imagine 2 movie

As one who also had my Even If moment of dealing with cancer twice, I resonated so much with what was shared. I used to play this song often while I was going through chemotherapy and surgery. While, I was miraculously healed, I had a friend who loved Jesus and was not ultimately healed. We talked about this song often, and she agreed that this is a song she stood on as well.

Because of the limitations of time in the movie, I had no idea of all the tragedies they had dealt with before the movie even started. I loved hearing the narration of Bart and the back-and-forth of him telling his story, Shannon sharing her perspective and Sam sharing his perspective.

Great book can’t wait to see the movie

I listened and saw I can only imagine. So when I found out they were making I can only imagine 2. So I thought I wanted to listen to the book before I see the movie. I can’t wait to see the movie. I could hardly put this book down.

Real & Relatable

This book is so personal and real and points the reader back to God in a practical, purposeful way. It’s not christianese. It’s life.