Every Christian who is really focused on the missional/incarnational church movement should read this book. It serves as a timely reminder to us that God will do what he will do in his time and in his way whether or not it agrees with our philosophical leanings. Ravi became a follower of Jesus through the preaching of the word of God and through the reading of commentaries! He was saved by preaching to preaching. His entire life as a minister of the gospel has been preaching, preaching, and more preaching. He probably would have no concept of a “missional community” or a mission that emphasizes highly relational discipleship. I am certain he wouldn’t oppose these ideas, it’s just that they have never been a part of his experience, gifting or calling, and that is clearly ok. As his biography unfolds, one incredible story after another is told about how countless people in the most unlikely places have been reached for the gospel primarily through Ravi standing up in front of a crowd and proclaiming Jesus.
Ravi is known as a great apologist for Christianity, his ability to defend the tenant’s of the faith while at the same time masterfully poking holes in competing world views is unparalleled. However, it should be noted that he has another gift without which his abilities as an apologist might have been overlooked. He is a consummate storyteller. God merged these two gifts, and mixed them with just the right amount of faith and courage to create this special man for his unique calling.
Ravi’s is truly an incredible story. From an obscure village in India, God takes an insecure, suicidal, deeply depressed boy, suffering under the cruel hand of a misguided father and transforms him into a man who criss-crosses the globe chatting with world leaders and people of influence about their need for Jesus. In 2012 Ravi’s ministry with the worlds influencers reached it’s zenith when he stood before the U.N. and preached a message on how the seemingly contradictory absolutes of love, evil, forgiveness, and justice can only come together in Jesus at the cross.
