(Cover via Amazon)

By Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway (London & Grand Rapids: Monarch Books, 2002, 351 pages)

The incredible true story of Chinese evangelist Liu Zhenying known to his Christian friends as Brother Yun. It is his own personal testimony along with the reflections of his wife Deling who supported him in the ministry and though many trials and tribulations. The ups and downs, the joys, the victories, along with the low points, failures, and all of the warts. It is there for all to read.

The Communist government did everything they could to destroy the Christian church in China and very little visibly remained by 1970.

The story of brother Yun gives you a small taste of how the Christian church relegated to the dust bin of history rose up to become the force it is today in China with more than 100 million believers. It was entirely a move of God and this story reads like the book of Acts.

An incredible life changing book, one that I highly recommend. Unfortunately Brother Yun has become the target of critics within the Western church. Many have a hard time believing all of the healings and miracles he testifies of here.

Let the Holy Spirit speak to you though this book and you will never be the same. Hereafter that comfortable pew you sit in on Sunday will never be quite so comfortable again. Beware, you could actually receive a new calling and a new vision of where the lord wants to take you.

By Bill Johnson (Shippensburg,PA: Destiny Image Pub. Inc., 2003,190 pgs.)

Bill Johnson is the senior pastor of Bethel Church (AG) of Redding, California, but more than that, he is one of those leading the charge towards true revival. ‘When Heaven Invades Earth’ is more than a clever title, this book identifies how life can really change for the better when ‘The Kingdom’ really does come into one’s life, after all our prayers asking for it.

I found myself reading the chapters slowly in order to receive the entire message. There is a lot here to consider. It is a clarion call to leave behind the ordinary and enter into a new way of thinking and a new way of life where healing and miracles are looked for and expected. It is a call for a change of world view. It is a challenge to leave the regular religious stuff behind and to really seek first the Kingdom and to really seek a closer relationship with God. To really expect the Kingdom to be manifest in power, and not merely in words.

Bill Johnson really does live and aspire to what he is talking about in his book. Several years ago I had the opportunity to pray for the sick along with Bill and several others on our ministry team. It had been a long night and midnight was closing in. A young man hobbled up to us with one leg obviously shorter than the other by three inches or so. I must admit that I had some doubt at first. Bill had him lay down and we began to pray for him. With full confidence, Bill Johnson held the young mans foot and commanded the leg to grow and it did. We kept on praying until the leg was fully extended to the same length as the other one. It was a night that I will never forget.

This book goes far beyond what one can explain in a short review, this is one of those rare life changing books that only comes along every once in a while. At least it was for me.

:”-The Amazing Story Of Rolland And Heidi Baker’s Miraculous Ministry Among The Poor”By Rolland & Heidi Baker (Kent, UK: Sovereign World Ltd, 2003, 188 pgs.)

Rolland and Heidi Baker tell their own incredible story in this book, starting at the beginning, how they met, their education and preparation (both completed their BA & MA degrees at Vanguard University, and Heidi has a PHD in Systematic Theology from King’s College, University of London), how they were called to missions, serving first in Hong Kong, and then how they eventually ended up in Mozambique serving the poorest of the poor.

The story of their Mozambique mission reads like the Book of Acts. Incredible victories, miracles, healings, feeding hundreds with just enough food for a family, bringing 10’s of thousands to Christ, birthing 6000 churches, training thousands of pastors and leaders, true revival, and also incredible opposition, and a multitude of frustrating situations. The real story is not about the huge numbers and success, it is about the Baker’s willingness to help one person at a time. Their reaching out to one orphan after another, bringing love, care, and Christ to those who have none of the above, and have been rejected in probably the poorest country in the world. Their testimony and their obvious humility, causes one to be encouraged and to celebrate the greatness of our God, also to seek revival in one’s own life and community. If you really want to know the truth about the Baker’s, this book is the best place to start. The book is available through many Christian book stores, or directly through the Baker’s ministry site: http://www.irismin.com/products.html Also: Check out their ministry blog and newsletter while you are at it: http://www.irismin.org/wordpress

by Ed Piorek, (Cape Town, South Africa: Vineyard Int. Pub., 2005, 166 pgs.)

Ed Piorek is a long time pastor (now Pastor Emeritus of Vineyard CC Laguna Niguel Calif.), who traveled extensively with John Wimber during the 1980’s and early 90’s. He now heads the Father Loves You Ministries (an international conference ministry) and travels occasionally with John Arnott (Toronto Airport CF). Pastor Ed identifies the baptism of Jesus as ‘the central event’ in the ministry of our Lord. It actually came at the beginning of his ministry, but it was a major point of empowerment and a confirmation of the Father’s love. Two other events in the ministry of Jesus were similar; ‘The Transfiguration’, and the Mount of Olives. Each event reminded Jesus of the Father’s love and strengthened him for the events to come.

Ed recalls different events in his own life and ministry that were similar, in calling him, centering him, and commissioning him. Then there was a bout with cancer that found him daily leaning on and continuing in, the Father’s love for survival and for the energy to carry on. He also introduces us to other ministers who have experienced similar events. Some from the past, like D.L. Moody. Others from the present like; Rolland and Heidi Baker (Mozambique), and John and Carol Arnott; who continue to minister depending upon the Father’s love to give them the strength and empowerment that they need to carry on.

Particularly helpful, is a teaching on the ‘prodigal Son’ and the Father. Ed also points out the example of Jesus, who on many occasions, went out of his way to minister to just one person at a time, even in the midst of the crowd. He demonstrates how the love and the compassion of the Father, gives us the reserves and empowerment to seek out and minister to the ‘one’ lost sheep. There is also a chapter on ‘contemplative prayer’ which is by itself worth the price of the book. In contemplative prayer, one does not seek stuff, but seeks only to be close to the Father.

The following is a statement about the book, from John Arnott:

The Central Event is not only a ‘must read’ for any of us wanting to go deeper in the things of God, it is one to be studied and meditated on regularly as you would with a devotional. Ed Piorek is one of the foremost teachers on the subject of experiencing the love of God. The chapter on contemplative prayer addresses the most urgent need of the Western church. Ed’s insights have changed my life. This book will change yours.

The book may be purchased from: Vineyard Int. Pub., or directly from the Father Loves You Ministries.

By David Sliker (Kansas City, MO: Forerunner Publishing, 2005, 144 pgs.)

This book takes a different tack, a refreshing presentation. The author does not worry about defining the work vis-a-vis any particular eschatological category, nor does he use any of the well-worn scenarios that typify this genre. He leaves that to the reader. The book merely looks forward to the Coming of Jesus, and presents the scriptures which pertain to the events leading up to the Second Coming.

Eschatology is a hobby for me, over the years I have read several hundred books that look at the subject. You ask–is it Amill., Premill., Postmill., Pretrib., Midtrib., Postrib.–which is it? I could offer an opinion, but that would do a disservice to the author. In the Prologue, the author states that he is concerned that ‘pre-conceived notions’ in this area of study, make it difficult for the Holy Spirit to assist us in understanding what the Bible really says about the End-Times and the Second Coming of Christ.

This book will give you a good look at the events and Bible references, without all the usual trappings. I highly recommend it as a fresh look at this important era before us. And guess What! God & his people win in the end, in-between, and all the way through. Satan and his cohorts are going down! Here the Church is portrayed as the ‘overcoming victorious Bride of Christ’.

The book is available through: Forerunner Bookstore