2004 | FRANK PERETTI

A publishing phenomenon.

When he was a youngster in Seattle, Frank Peretti liked to inspire the neighborhood kids with his storytelling. As a Christian suspense novelist, he has inspired millions of readers with titles such as "This Present Darkness," "Piercing the Darkness," "The Oath," "The Wounded Spirit," and "House" (co-authored with Ted Dekker).

"This Present Darkness," credited with reviving an interest in spiritual warfare, appeared on Bookstore Journal’s best-seller list every month for more than eight years. Peretti still inspires kids with books from "The Cooper Kids Adventure Series" and a best-selling audio series, "Wild and Wacky and Totally True Bible Stories."

Despite his fame, the best-selling author lives a simple life of carpentry, banjo making, sculpturing, bicycling and hiking.