STEPPING UP TO LEAD

Stepping Up To Lead

In Stepping Up to Lead: Building a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah, (Whitaker House), Bible teacher and ministry leader Bunni Pounds calls Christians to reclaim their influence by following the leadership principles of Nehemiah—the cupbearer God used to rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls in just 52 days against overwhelming odds. Candace Cameron Bure, actress, producer and CEO of CandyRock Entertainment, writes the book’s foreword.

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About the Book

Our nation faces a leadership crisis. And throughout Scripture, God responds to moments like this by calling ordinary people to step up with extraordinary courage. Nehemiah wasn’t a king, priest, or prophet—he was a simple cupbearer. Yet God used him to unite a divided people, restore moral clarity, and rebuild a nation. His leadership model is exactly what America needs right now. America doesn’t need perfect leaders. We need faithful ones—men and women willing to step up, speak truth, and rebuild what’s been broken. I pray this Bible study helps you to be the disciple-maker and leader that God has called you to be.”

- Bunni Pounds

What Others Are Saying

From her foreword in 'Stepping Up To Lead'

“My prayer is that as you read this powerful study of Nehemiah — written by a woman who lives its message — you will be inspired and equipped to lead with bold, God-fearing conviction. Stepping Up to Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah has the potential to shape pastors, business leaders, educators, parents, and influencers in every sphere. Our nation needs more Nehemiahs.”

—Candace Cameron Bure
Excerpt from the foreword of Stepping Up to Lead

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What Others are Saying

  • People of faith are called to stand and fight the good fight. My friend, Bunni Pounds, has stood up as one of our great leaders of faith for more than twenty years, as a leader in our nation, when others were shrinking back. The way she writes on the book of Nehemiah brings practical application to our lives for this national moment. God doesn’t need perfect people; He just needs our humble “yes” like this cupbearer named Nehemiah. I highly recommend Stepping Up to Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah.

    Coach Joe Kennedy ― Plaintiff in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District

  • For decades, I have prayed for and worked to champion leaders who are willing to stand for biblical truth in our culture. Bunni Pounds, through an in-depth teaching on the book of Nehemiah, gives us a blueprint for modern Christian leadership in an increasingly complex world. At this critical moment in history, the message of Stepping Up to Lead is needed to raise up and inspire the next generation of leaders in America.

    Tony Perkins ― President, Family Research Council

  • The Bible has so many stories of great leaders, but the story of Nehemiah is one of that is unique in its application for our time. As we respond to the burdens placed on us by the Lord, yield to prayer and fasting, and then as we obey His voice and step up to lead through His grace, God moves. Bunni Pounds has lived the lifestyle of repairing the nation for over twenty years and is fully equipped to help train the next generation of leaders in the footsteps of Nehemiah.

    Andrew Wommack ― Founder, Andrew Wommack Ministries

  • When I met Bunni, I knew I met someone special. I have had the privilege of leading ministries founded by Chuck Colson and Dr. James Dobson; I saw something in her that reminded me instantly of the anointing on them. Now two years later, God has been using this match made in heaven to impact our nation even more together than we could have done apart. Her new book, Stepping Up to Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah, is a teaching that has been so engrained in her life that she walks it out each day to the benefit of all of us. Get this book!

    Craig DeRoche ― CEO, Family Policy Alliance

  • Our ministry took its name from the pages of Nehemiah, when he called the people to rebuild the wall so they would no longer be a disgrace―essentially calling people to be WallBuilders. The book of Nehemiah reveals the necessity of partnerships between spiritual leaders and political activists. It also shows the effectiveness of a grassroots movement. These are lessons Bunni Pounds has taken to heart. If people of faith will find their place on the wall, a miracle can happen. The wall (America) can be rebuilt. Stepping Up to Lead lays out a blueprint for how we can replicate the success from the days of Nehemiah.

    Tim Barton ― President, WallBuilders

  • Bunni Pounds reminds us that true leadership begins with faith, courage, and a willingness to step forward when others step back. Stepping Up to Lead captures the spirit of Nehemiah in a way that feels deeply relevant today, equipping readers to lead with conviction, humility, and purpose in both public life and everyday moments that matter most.

    Bill Abbott ― President & CEO, Great American Media

  • Bunni Pounds is a leader who is compelling the body of Christ to always go deeper in the Word of God and to make an impact on culture. Her newest book on the leadership of Nehemiah should be a case study that every leader should personally go through and that pastors should use in their congregations to inspire a new generation of leaders across our nation.

    Alex McFarland ― Radio host, author, and speaker

  • Bunni is an inspiring leader who loves the Lord, her family, and this nation. Having built companies, advised members of Congress, led worship, mentored the next generation, and founded Christians Engaged, it is fitting that she would write a book on the leadership of Nehemiah. I am excited to see how America will be blessed through those who read this book, applying the leadership lessons gleaned from Nehemiah’s example and the lives of today’s leaders featured in this inspiring and practical treasure.

    Vicky Hartzler ― Advisory board member, Christians Engaged

  • Having known Bunni in politics and through the ministry of Christians Engaged, this steady, faith-oriented leader and culture warrior is a perfect one to write on the leadership of Nehemiah and how to rebuild our nation in a manner consistent with the eternal principles of God’s Word. Stepping Up to Lead is a book that every leader in government, business, ministry, or media should read to encourage them to be the leader that God has created them to be, inside and outside of politics.

    Nathaniel Moran ― Congressman, First District of Texas

  • Stepping Up to Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah is a needed resource for leaders in all spheres of influence. The way that Bunni brings Nehemiah’s story into our modern day and lives out those principles through her enthusiastic leadership via Christians Engaged causes everyone who knows her to want to love God more and love their neighbors deeper.

    Tim Goeglein ― Focus on the Family Vice President

  • Bunni Pounds has been a key leader in my life who has exemplified the character and tenacity of Nehemiah―encouraging and mobilizing myself and other Americans to repair the walls of our nation. I believe the way she has poured out the story of this great biblical leader will motivate a whole new generation to get on their section of the wall and build.

    Alyssa Brown ― Arkansas State Representative, District 41

  • Bunni Pounds draws on her own leadership experiences in her new book, Stepping Up to Lead, to encourage every reader to say yes to leadership. She brings to life Nehemiah, the quintessential biblical study of one called to lead in crucial times, based on her own conviction, lively and kind spirit, and her passion to motivate Christians to lead. If you desire to be a Christian leader in ministry, business, or government, read Stepping Up to Lead.

    Keith Self ― Congressman, Third District of Texas

  • When we walk out the Word of God in our everyday lives, we see it come alive in new ways. And when we live as humble vessels, the Lord’s truth prevails and spreads like wildfire. My friend Bunni Pounds is one of my personal heroes who has mastered this way of life. She has consistently navigated biblical leadership in the middle of a chaotic culture, bringing courage, faith, and truth into her spheres of influence for decades. By leading with Jesus’s call to love God and love others, her journey has inspired people across the political and social spectrums. And now, the story of Nehemiah comes alive through her understanding of what it takes to thrive against all odds.

    Billy Hallowell ― Journalist and author

  • Stepping Up to Lead is built on the truth that every believer in Jesus Christ is called to be a disciple and a disciple-maker. Using Nehemiah as an example, Bunni Pounds invites everyone to explore how God is calling them to lead and serve others for His glory. I believe this leadership study can inspire a generation to rise up right where they are and live with the Spirit-filled courage and conviction our world so desperately needs today.

    Pastor Sammy Rodriguez ― National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

  • I’m a sucker for anything Nehemiah-related, since he is one of my favorite men in all the Bible. And few are better to apply his zeal for God than Bunni, for she has that zeal in common. The last two decades of Christian leadership mistook surrender for piety and weakness for meekness. We desperately need a course correction. Nehemiah is the ideal model for principled, holy, and aggressive leadership for us to emulate in this time before America is lost for good.

    Steve Deace ― Best-selling author and Blaze talk show host

  • In a time when our nation is desperate for courageous, biblical leadership, Stepping Up to Lead offers a compelling roadmap. Drawing from the example of Nehemiah, Bunni Pounds challenges believers to step forward and lead with faith, clarity, and boldness. This book is a timely call to action for Christian communicators who know the gospel must shape not only hearts, but also public life.

    Troy A. Miller ― President, National Religious Broadcasters

  • In a world that desperately needs people who can implement a vision, Bunni Pounds attempts to hear from God every day and obediently walk it out. Her study on Nehemiah, Stepping Up to Lead, is a resource that will benefit every parent, pastor, company, or nonprofit leader as we disciple a new generation of leaders to rebuild America.

    Ken Harrison ― CEO, WaterStone

  • Raising up a new generation of leaders who are not afraid to share the gospel and to change their cities has to be a key priority for all of us in the body of Christ. Bunni Pounds’ book Stepping Up to Lead not only carries the power demonstrated in this exemplary leader Nehemiah but also carries the passion and anointing on her own life.

    Nick Vujicic ― Evangelist, motivational speaker, and author

  • The story of God includes stories of ordinary people being used in extraordinary ways, like Ezra and Nehemiah. The same God, who is Author and Finisher, desires to use us in our days as well. And He will, if we will but humbly submit our lives into His hands. There is no greater calling than to be used for His glory. Bunni Pounds lives out that submission to God each day with the tenacity of Paul who beckoned, “follow me as I follow Christ.” This book is a call to take courage and be godly leaders in our generation.

    Jennie Lee Riddle ― Award-winning songwriter, “Revelation Song”

  • Bunni Pounds is an entrepreneur leader that our movement needs at this critical moment. Her ability to dream something up and implement it has blessed me since I met her. Christians Engaged is just getting started with one million Christians being served by their voter mobilization system. Their education products, church outreach program, and their mentorship of young adult leaders are strengthening believers all over the nation to impact our nation with righteousness.

    Michael P. Farris ― Founder, Patrick Henry College