Top 10 must-read books on Faith and Justice” by World Vision
1. Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy, by Kevin Bales - After traveling around the world to conduct research and case studies in countries as varied as Brazil, Thailand, and Mauritania, Bales explores the many manifestations of slavery in the world today and how slavery has changed over time.
2. Mobilizing Hope: Faith-Inspired Activism for a Post-Civil Rights Generation, by Adam Taylor - Labeled “a theology for social justice,” this book draws from historical human rights movements and the teachings of Christ to call this generation to action.
3. Zealous Love - A Practical Guide to Social Justice, by Mike and Danae Yankowski - Offering information and practical tips for integrating social justice into your life, this guide to action introduces eight of the world's most pressing challenges: hunger, unclean water, HIV/AIDS, creation degradation, lack of education, economic inequality, refugees, and human trafficking.
4. The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, by Shane Claiborne - According to Claiborne, the problem isn't that wealthy Christians don't care about the poor - it's that they don't know the poor. This book follows Claiborne’s journey to the roots of Christianity by living as an “ordinary radical”: ignoring social status, doing without material comforts, and attempting to do “small things with great love.”
5. Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World, by Gary Haugen - Explores the beginnings of the International Justice Mission (IJM), back when founder Gary Haugen was sent to Rwanda as director of the UN genocide investigation in 1994; calls for the body of Christ to act to seek justice throughout the world.
6. Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn - Citing that more girls have been killed in the last 50 years, simply because they were girls, than men were killed in all the wars of the 20th century, this book makes a strong case for investing in the health and autonomy of women worldwide by delving into the issues and cultural practices that suppress them: sex trafficking, honor killings, mass rape, and more.
7. Forgotten Girls: Stories of Hope and Courage, by Kay Strom and Michele Rickett - Compiling interviews with women and girls from their travels to 17 different countries, Strom and Rickett relate stories from some of the most oppressive places in the world: true tales of everything from domestic servitude and “bride stealing” to child sacrifice and “disposable mothers.” They also offer ways to help.
8. The Hole In Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns - Written by the President of World Vision U.S., this book challenges Christians to embrace a holistic Gospel by reaching out to the neediest and most vulnerable among us, instead of ignoring one of Christ’s most-repeated commands. The book also explores how lifting cultures from the systemic causes of poverty requires a complex and multi-pronged approach.
9. Getting Better: Why Global Development Is Succeeding - And How We Can Improve the World Even More, by Charles Kenney - If you’re looking for an optimistic book covering more of the positives in global development, this is the one. Kenney highlights some of the major advances in health, knowledge and empowerment experienced by people in the poorest parts of the world, drawing attention to the role of ideas and innovation.
10. Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, by Donald Miller - The book starts: "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." Poignant, witty, and insightful, Blue Like Jazz describes Miller’s journey from disappointment with a distant faith more focused on easy answers than honest questions to discovery of a bigger God and bigger understanding.
Missions Books - from the Trenches
The following list is not a complete list of all the missions books -that would probably take a book in and of itself!
It does come from recommendations given to us from our very own ministry partners and mission minded church members. Enjoy!
Kids Corner
Any of the missionary biographies by Goeff & Janet Benge
Catching Their Talk in a Box Betty Hockett
From Akebu to Zapotec June Hathersmith
Fun Around the World for Preschoolers Rhonda Reeves
The God’s Must Be Angry Sheila Walsh Miller
It’s a Jungle Out There, Life is a Jungle, & Jungle Calls Ron Snell (Peru)
The Kingdom Strikes Back John Holzman
Mission to Cathay Madeleine Polland (China)
Missionary Stories with the Millers Miller family
Star of Light Paricia St John (Morocco); People Peter Spier
There’s a Sheep in My Bathtub Brian Hogan (Mongolia)
You Can Change the World Daphne Spraggett
Teen Time
Do Hard Things Alex Harris;
Don’t Waste Your Life John Piper
Torches of Joy John Dekker;
The Wonders of God William MacDonald
Family Favorites
101 Ways To Reach Your Community Steve Sjogren
And the Word Came With Power Joanne Shetler
Bruchko Bruce Olsen
Crash at Cannibal Alley Jerry Jenkins; Disaster in the Yukon Jerry Jenkins
Heros for Young Readers series by YWAM publishing
Imprisoned in the Golden City Dave & Neta Jackson
International Adventure Series multiple books from YWAM Publishing
In Search of the Source Neil Anderson &Hyatt Moore (Papua New Guinea)
Operation World Patrick Johnstone
Praying Through the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window Wagner & Peters
Question of Yams Gloria Repp (Tribal); Terror in Branco Grande Jerry Jenkins
Window on the World Daphne Spraggett
Adult Attic
Answering Islam Norman Geisler & Abdul Saleeb
Ask a Missionary John McVay
Back to Jerusalem Ray Register
By Searching Isobel Kuhn
Do You Know What You are Doing, Lord? Carol Anderson (mission wife perspective)
Come Help Change the World Bill Bright
Cross Cultural Servanthood Duane Elmer
Daughters of Hope Kay M. Strom & M. Rickett
Don’t Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees Thomas Hale (Nepal)
Effective Engagement in Short Term Missions Robert Priest
Encountering the World of Islam Caleb Project
End of the Spear Steve Saint
Eternity in Their Hearts Don Richardson
Forgotten Girls Kay M. Strom & Michele Rickett (see Book Review section below)
Global Mission Handbook: A Guide for Crosscultural Service Steve Hoke & Bill Taylor
God’s Call to Mission David Shenk
Great Commission Companies Steven Rundle & Tom Steffen (business as mission)
The Great Omission McQuilkin & Baker
Green Leaf in Drought Time Isobel Kuhn
Heavenly Man Brother Yun (China)
Hidden Triumph in Ethiopia Kay Bascom
How to Be a World Class Christian Paul Borthwick
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret Taylor; In the Arena Isobel Kuhn
Islam & Christianity:A Muslim & a Christian in Dialogue Badru Kateregga
Let the Nations Be Glad John Piper
A Light Shines in Central Asia Thomas Hale (Tibet)
Living On the Devil’s Doorstep Floyd McClung (International adventures)
Living Sacrifice: Willing to Be Whittled as an Arrow Helen Roseveare
Masterplan of Evangelism R.Coleman; Message & Mission Nida
Ministering Cross Culturally Sherwood Lingenfelter & Marvin K. Mayers
Mountain Rain Eileen Fraser Crossman
Muslims, Magic & the Kingdom of God Rick Love
My Persian Pilgrimage William Miller
Nests Above the Abyss Isobel Kuhn
On Being A Missionary Thomas Hale
Overwhelming Minority Ted Esler (Bosnia focus)
Peace Child Don Richardson
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, A Reader Ralph Winter
Revolution in World Mission K.P. Yohannan
Screams in the Desert Sue Eenigenburg (missionary woman’s devotional)
Second Mile People Isobel Kuhn
Send Me! Your Journey to the Nations Steve Hoke & Bill Taylor
Shadow of the Almighty Elisabeth Elliot
Six Dangerous Questions to Transform Your View of the World Paul Borthwick
Stones of Fire Isobel Kuhn
Their Blood Cries Out Paul Marshall (persecution & martyrdom)
These Strange Ashes Elizabeth Elliot
Through Gates of Splendor Elizabeth Elliot
Through Her Eyes Marti Smith (women in missions)
Village Medical Manual Mary Vanderkooi, MD
Voices of the Faithful Beth Moore (a year of devotionals from around the globe)
Waking the Giant Ryan Shaw
Book Reviews
Forgotten Girls Stories of Hope and Courage
By Kay Marshall Strom & Michele Rickett, 2009
“ Look closely at the world’s most oppressed and you will find them to be overwhelmingly female.”
In America we await the joyful news of a baby’s birth. “It’s a boy!” It’s a girl!” Either announcement brings congratulations and rejoicing. In many countries of the world the news, “it’s a girl”, brings shame, disappointment, and even anger.
A girl is unwanted, a burden, a curse, a punishment. She is therefore neglected, abused, overworked, enslaved, the last of the family to be fed, and even abandoned. The mother who bore such “poor luck” is often similarly treated.
Sisters in Service (SIS) is an organization, who takes the words of Isaiah 1:17 seriously…”Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the cause of the widow.”
The founder of SIS, Michele Rickett, has just recently coauthored her second book, Forgotten Girls. Michele has gone into some of the remotest parts of the world, to places we barely ever hear about, and acknowledged that these women and girls DO exist. She and her coauthor, Kay Strom, share stories of unimaginable pain, unspeakable tragedies, but as the subtitle suggest, trickled with hope. She also includes action steps so you too can make a difference in these precious, yet somewhat invisible, lives.
So, take out your map, your tissues, and read this amazing, eye-opening book!
It is guaranteed to increase your perspective and grab your heart as well.
Ask a Missionary
Time Tested Answers from Those Who’ve Been There