Highlighting: “Soul Mission” by Joshua Becker. Evolved Publishing. 2025. 252 pages. ISBN-13: 979-8890251138.

Joshua Becker has always loved to write. From his early days contributing to his middle school newspaper to his current work as both a writer and a Spanish teacher, his passion for storytelling has only grown over the years. His debut novel, “Soul Mission,” blends his love for history, faith and the human experience into a unique and compelling narrative that takes readers on a time-traveling journey of self-discovery and redemption.

“This book is a culmination of years of passion and hard work,” Becker told The Jewish Link. “I’m thrilled to share it with the world.”

“Soul Mission” is the story of Ephraim, who struggles with a midlife crisis and obsessive-compulsive disorder. He wonders if life has more to offer than his current routine. Just when he’s unsure if the daily grind will ever change, Ephraim is thrust into a journey that requires him to travel through his past lives in order to correct mistakes and fulfill unfinished missions.

“The story is really about self-discovery and redemption,” Becker explained. “Ephraim’s journey is both literal and metaphorical. It’s about understanding the impact of our actions, learning from our mistakes, and recognizing that we can achieve more because of our struggles—not despite them.”

The idea for the book was inspired by two stories that left a lasting impression on Becker. One came from the realm of speculative fiction—Octavia Butler’s “Kindred,” where a woman is forced to travel back in time to save a life, despite the moral complexities of her task. The other was a Chasidic tale about the Baal Shem Tov, in which a man’s choice of words could potentially bring about the coming of the Messiah. These narratives, one grounded in fiction and the other in spiritual teachings, sparked the concept of a character who must revisit past lives to complete missed opportunities. Missions are not solely reserved for the past; the main character is tasked with becoming a better person in the present based on his journeys to previous lifetimes.

“The concept of reincarnation and the idea that our souls might have unfinished missions across different lifetimes fascinated me,” Becker shared. “I wanted to explore how past actions, even those we might not fully understand, can travel through time and shape who we are today.”

“Soul Mission” is an attempt to blend the spiritual with the human experience. Certain chapters transport the reader to a different era, asking not just what happened in history—but what might still need rectification.

“The book opens readers to reflect on how their actions—no matter how small—can echo beyond the moment,” Becker continued. “Just like Ephraim, we all have opportunities to bring healing, to right wrongs, and to grow from our past.”

In crafting “Soul Mission,” the author devoted more than a decade to research, writing and revising—an effort that took him across the country to writing conferences and connected him with a diverse community of storytellers. Although this is his first published novel, Becker is no stranger to the literary world.

“I’ve been writing and editing professionally for years,” Becker said. “But bringing my own novel to life has been one of my most meaningful experiences. There were long stretches of doubt, rewrites that seemed endless, and moments when I questioned whether it would ever come together. But the process taught me perseverance, and more importantly, it reaffirmed how powerful stories can be.”

This thought process has shaped Becker’s approach to both storytelling and education. Just as he encourages young learners to explore language and culture with curiosity, he hopes readers of “Soul Mission” will engage with its themes of growth and purpose.

“I hope ‘Soul Mission’ invites readers to reflect on their own journeys. We all carry parts of our past with us, sometimes without even realizing it. I wanted to show that even the most broken pieces of ourselves can be part of something redemptive. No matter where we come from or what we’ve been through, there’s always the possibility to grow, to repair, and to reconnect with our higher purpose.”

“Soul Mission” is available for purchase on Amazon. If you’d like to stay connected with Joshua Becker, visit his website joshuabeckerwriter.com.

Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.