Sources: Various
My bookshelf overfloweth! So many new books. Here are two titles deal with persecution and perseverance, and two speak to the mission of the Church and our part in it. We don’t have space for long reviews but can give you short ones. I’ll post reviews on Amazon with further comments.
God’s Hostage: A True Story of Persecution, Imprisonment, and Perseverance, by Andrew Brunson, with Craig Borlase. Baker Books, 2019. 228 pages.
In this book Brunson describes the events of his arrest, two-year imprisonment, charges, and trials, along with the escalation of his case as a political tug-of-war and an amazing outpouring of prayer and support from surprising quarters.
Primarily, though, it’s the story of the author’s spiritual and psychological struggle while in prison. He felt abandoned by God and fought a tremendous battle against anxiety and despair, exacerbated by the expectation that he should be strong in his faith rather than broken, as was the case.
While in prison Brunson read the writings of other Christians describing their prison experiences. Some of that was helpful, but it strengthened his resolve that he decided if he ever told his own story, he’d be sure to make it a story about his weakness. Then anyone who read it and struggled like he did would know they were not alone. Very moving.
Zhejiang: The Jerusalem of China, by Paul Hattaway. SPCK/Asia Harvest, 2019. 288 pages.
This is the third volume in The China Chronicles, a province-by-province, decade-by-decade account of God’s astonishing work in China, which the author calls the “the greatest Christian revival in history.” Zhejiang is a wealthy province in eastern China and has the country’s highest percentage of Christians. Learn how it got that way while reading the stories of foreign and Chinese Christians. I find each book in this series more intriguing than the last. Well researched and well written. Paul Hattaway founded Asia Harvest Ministries.
On Mission Together: Integrating Missions into the Local Church, by Richard Noble. Fall City Press, 2019. 190 pages.
What is the mission of God, and what does it look like to partner with him, understanding missions as not just a particular program but a priority for every part of the church and each member? How do you, especially if you’re a pastor or mission leader, integrate missions into the life of your church?
Although parts of the book tend to be very directive (“every church should…”), it is thorough enough that every church can find in these pages a picture of itself, its struggles, and ways to improve. It feels like an updated version of some of ACMC’s best publications. I appreciated the helpful case studies from a diversity of churches across the US and the resource suggestions throughout the book and in its appendices. The author, who is part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, has started a ministry called The Center for Missional Engagement.
As Missio Nexus President Ted Esler says, “This is an excellent primer for mission team members, mission pastors, or any church leader who seeks to understand the issues in local church missions.”
Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need, by David Platt. Multnomah, 2019. 222 pages.
The author of Radical takes readers on a soul-searching journey through impoverished villages in the Himalayan mountains, daring them to make a difference in a world of urgent need, starting right where they live.
I just bought this book and haven’t had time to read it yet. Sounds quite compelling, doesn’t it?
Finally, two more new books others recommend but I haven’t read:
Paradigm Shift: Why International Students Are So Strategic to Global Missions, by Jack D. Burke. Leiton Chinnn says, “It is the newest publication on international student ministry (March 2019) and the most comprehensive coverage on the topic, with contributions by many ISM veteran workers.”
Getting Started, Making the Most of Your First Year in Cross-Cultural Service, by Amy Young. Young is the author of Looming Transitions and other books and co-founder of the online community Velvet Ashes (for women serving overseas). She has launched a new missionary training platform called Global Trellis.
» Read any of these books? Love to hear your thoughts.