Jesus Says Go

A radical read 2006-09-12

Reviewer: Fiona Bailey

This is an unusual book for anyone exploring short-term or long-term cross-cultural mission. It is a book about sacrifice. Here are some comments on it from others:

`God has put it on my heart to say that this is a great book... God is calling us all to be a part of his mission. Don't waste your life.'
George Verwer, Founder, Operation Mobilisation


`This book has all the potential of becoming a classic.'
EMQ Magazine


`A manifesto for Christians willing to rebel against our me-first culture'
Keith Walker, SIM UK / Europe Director


`It calls us to account for compromise with prevailing culture, and keeps us positive and excited about the potential of being used by God.'
Jason Mandryk, Operation World


`There is an urgent need to heed the message of this book.'
Ajith Fernando, Sri Lanka Youth for Christ


`Here is the antidote to the deadly lie tha getting my own way is what is best for me.'
Don Cormack, author of `Killing Fields, Living Fields'


`In an age when journalists seem willing to die to get a good story and terrorists die for their beliefs, western Christians are less committed than ever. What does it mean to us now that Jesus said `Go'? Robin Wells challenges us to a biblical depth of commitment not often heard today. I recommend this book unreservedly.'
Jim Tebbe, Director, Urbana Missions Convention


`We need to absorb this book, act on it and give it to our friends'
Rachel Green, Interserve On Track


`It's a book that reminds all Christians of the cost and high privilege of true discipleship. I recommend it highly!'
Rebecca Manley Pippert, Salt Shaker Ministries


`This book is a great resource for those who are ready to join the company God is raising up in this pivotal hour - radicals who will do whatever it takes to bring the message of Jesus to the nations.'
Ryan Shaw, Founder SVM2

There are three parts:

PART 1

Each chapter contains stories to illustrate principles. The chapters look at what it's like to enter another culture, to live and serve under national leadership, to face failure, to reassess career prospects. There are sections on singleness and marriage; housing; children's education.

PART 2

The `Interlude'. Here we find a wealth of high-quality brief contributions tailor-made for short-termers: John Stott on `The Missionary Trinity'; Paul Borthwick on `How to keep your mission vision alive'; a very honest piece from `Helen' who was converted as a student and is serving in one of the last remaining Communist countries, though her family didn't understand her and even her Christian friends didn't understand her. Ann McClean (OMF) writes on how short-termers can be used to build the long-term ministry in that town or city. And some perceptive advice on `Getting Ready to Go'.

PART 3

This is from Rose Dowsett, as compelling a writer as she is a speaker. `From Eden to Eternity' takes us on a high-speed tour from Genesis to Revelation, showing how mission is in the heart and the character of God himself, for he is a missionary God.

Appendices

The book concludes with lists of websites for training colleges, and for evangelical mission agencies.

It is for anyone in the cultures of comfort: the west and the 'new west'.

Five stars!