Title: The Hole In Our Gospel
Author: Richard Stearns
Publisher: W Publishing Group
Date: 2025
Pages: 358
The Hole In Our Gospel (book review)
Richard Stearns, the author, was the president of World Vision from 1998-2018. He chose to write this book telling a bit of his story and also that there is a hole in the gospel most Christian churches have.
With time and hard work Richard had become a very successful CEO of several different companies. While working at one of them, a friend of his who worked with World Vision called him to become the next president of World Vision, an organization that focuses on helping the poor in nations around the world to gain what they need in areas of health, finances, work, education and food. At first, he baulked at the idea but later accepted the position. It changed his life.
In this book he tells his story and then tells how many churches in America have a hole in their gospel. They are either only focused on the Gospel message, or they are just focused on social issues. He works at pointing out how the two can go hand in hand and how meeting physical needs in certain ways can bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus. The organization focuses on training people to be able to help themselves rise up above their poverty levels and make a difference in this world.
Throughout the book there are many stories of lives that are changed through the people and work of World Vision. He points out what poverty is and how it is difficult to solve the poverty issue from many different things that effect poverty. In the end he challenges the reader to go out and make a difference, whether in their own neighborhood or around the world. And not to just aim only for great differences but little ones that in the end become big ones.
At the end of the book there is also a study guide to challenge the believer in taking steps to make a difference.
I highly recommend reading this book, but be willing to act upon what you read, not just read it. It is a simple read and not very long, but very challenging. This book will challenge you directly in your own beliefs and actions and also make you question the beliefs and actions of your church.
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