Reviews: Books on missions, persecution and prayer

Across the Street and Around the World: Ideas to Spark Missional Focus

By Diana Davis and Autumn Wall (New Hope)

For any Christian seeking an army of do-able mission-focused ideas, Across the Street and Around the World won’t disappoint. The only disappointment may be in having to choose from Diana Davis’ and Autumn Wall’s treasure chest of options. The 200-page book lists 1,000 local to global suggestions for individuals, families, small groups, large groups and churches.

After introductory materials that explain how to use the reference work, the authors outline the biblical missions mandate. The next four chapters cover one-hour, one-day and one-week mission ideas, along with one long-term missions option. The final two chapters provide planning guides and checklists, followed by an appendix filled with pragmatic items.

Geographic areas targeted include the church neighborhood, community, Internet connections, North America and international missions. Ideas range from Bring-Your-Sports-Team-to-Church Sunday, to ministry to travelers during a weather crisis, to hosting a dog (pet) party, to adopting a missionary or a struggling church. Ages range from infants to seniors as participants and recipients.

The creative, committed mother-daughter team have crammed a myriad of practical “ideas to spark missional focus” into Across the Street and Around the World. This volume should be placed on a convenient shelf and consulted and prayed over often.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, immediate past president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

The Cost: My Life on a Terrorist Hit List

By Ali Husnain with J. Chester (Zondervan)

A 17-year-old Pakistani boy is on the Taliban’s hit list. He hides out until his Shia Muslim family can send him secretly to an elderly aunt in England. Now he is a threat to her safety. So, he keeps running. Why? Because he accepted Jesus as his Savior and told a few friends Christ was the true and living God. The Cost: My Life on a Terrorist Hit List is the memoir of Ali Husnain (whose name is changed for security reasons), a young refugee evangelist now living in the United Kingdom.

In this beautifully written, fast-paced and spellbinding book, Husnain meticulously describes his discovery of and conversion to Jesus. It is a vivid contrast in the lifestyles of Pakistan and England, of Islam and Christianity, of the customs and culture of the Middle East and the West. Overriding his story is the tender theme of familial love, punctuated by the cost to Husnain of leaving his loved ones behind and the constant threat to his life for the sake of Christ. He dreams of returning to Pakistan to tell his homeland about the saving grace of Jesus. His memoir offers inspiration for Christians everywhere to join him in this marvelous mission of discipleship. 

Alice Stone Thomas

Conroe

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God

By Timothy Keller (Penguin Publishing)

Timothy Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and prolific author of The Prodigal God and The Reason for God, among other books, provides a comprehensive examination of prayer.

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God is divided into five sections—“Desiring God,” “Understanding Prayer,” “Learning Prayer,” “Deepening Prayer” and “Doing Prayer.” Each section is divided into chapters, and I found two chapters particularly rich in content—“An Encounter: Seeking His Face” and “Awe: Praising His Glory.”

Beginning with its introduction, in which Keller talks about prayer being communion or kingdom-related, this book is progressive in its format. The author defines prayer, and there isn’t an aspect of prayer, its nature or practice, this book doesn’t cover. It is replete with Scripture references, as well as references to other authors. Further, the endnotes are exhaustive.

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God could be useful both to a Christian who is new to praying or to a seasoned prayer warrior. I highly recommend this book.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio