Charles M. Sheldon (1857-1946) was a young minister in Topeka, Kansas, with a background in social work. In a daring move, he tramped the streets of Topeka, disguised as an unemployed printer. Sheldon was terribly shocked by the indifference and lack of commitment in the Christian community.
As a result of this unique exposure to the Christians in the city, Sheldon wrote In His Steps and read it aloud to his congregation. It was first published in 1897 and became an immediate best seller, blessing the lives of millions of readers. Sheldon lived long enough to see his book reach a worldwide audience before dying in 1946.