The Hole in Our Gospel, Special Edition Audiobook By Richard Stearns cover art

The Hole in Our Gospel, Special Edition

What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World

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The Hole in Our Gospel, Special Edition

By: Richard Stearns
Narrated by: Tommy Cresswell
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"Preach the Gospel always. Use words if necessary." (St. Francis of Assisi)

It is 1998, and Richard Stearns’s heart is breaking as he sits in a mud hut and listens to the story of an orphaned child in Rakai, Uganda. His journey to this place took more than a long flight from the United States to Africa. It took answering God’s call on his life, a call that hurtled him out of his corner office at Lenox - America’s finest tableware company - to this humble corner of Uganda.

This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his struggle to obey God, whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.

Two thousand years ago 12 people changed the world. Stearns believes it can happen again.

ECPA 2010 Christian Book of the Year Award Winner!

©2014 Thomas Nelson (P)2014 Thomas Nelson Christian Living Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Personal Development Politics & Government Poverty & Homelessness Social Issues Social Sciences Spiritual Growth
Life Changing Message • Powerful Spiritual Insights • Personal Journey Narrative • Biblical Exegesis
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love the book. I used it as a way to understand ngo career transition and culture acclimation.

thought provoking recording.

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The Hole in Our Gospel really made me think outside of myself. It is a very well written and performed book. There are a lot of facts in here but they don’t make the book dry or boring. It really shines a light on what most of us are forgetting.

Makes one think

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This book is a life changing. It made me feel uncomfortable enough to start praying for God directions to be a blessing to other whenever I am. The changing is personal, only one person can make a big difference in the world. God bless to all the people who make this book available to me.

Thank you

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I suppose I had some idea about our role to help the poor. I felt uncomfortable with my American wealth and American Dream. But this book was powerful in helping me consolidate and clarify my thoughts on poverty. Read it and beware.

Listen. But be ready to have your eyes opened

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This book brings focus to deep spiritual truths about where Americans are blinded to the rest of the world. It answers the question, "Why are we here?"

The best book ever

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immensely enjoyed both the massege and the style it was written. also the narrator was awesome

brilliant and heart changing

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This book just might redirect your life. Listen to it and let God speak to you.

Life changing

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Rich talks about his own journey in a way that relates to anyone trying to find answers in third own life about what God's will is and how you can personally fit into it. I don't say this ever but this book changed my life. It made me sad and angry for all the right reasons and cemented my resolve to do something about that state of my life and the pain in our world. Thanks.

Critical for any Christian to read.

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My favorite part of the book was the author's story about how God miraculously called him into ministry at World Vision. I also liked some of the chapters on bible exegesis with a focus on the Church's responsibility in the world. The resources and tips in the appendix were also helpful. What I did like, and have long supported, but was hoping the book wasn't solely focused on, was world poverty. This is a very important need in the world but it is not the only need. Understandable from the author's perspective, given his personal experience, but as someone currently trying to decide what direction to hone my calling in the world, this book did not help me decide what ills in the world I should focus on. I was hoping for a broader overview and perspective as to gain greater direction for myself and my ministry. Also the author puts greater emphasis on the social gospel (helping others) than the actual gospel of Christ. Unlike the many harmful movements that ignore or neglect one in order to advance the other, he does have both, so I don't say this in admonition but in warning, but I still think he slightly over-emphasizes the former. The book, while touching on the spiritual needs of man, focuses primarily on the church meeting his physical needs. He does include it so this is not a rebuke but for socially-minded, less mature Christians reading this it is a warning. Man's deepest needs are spiritual and if we take care of our fellow man's flesh but do not heal the spirit we are not loving them enough. He does talk a little about several other forms of injustice in the world (what I was looking for) but the real meat and potatoes of the book is about poverty. Regardless of what area of the world we end up, or what form of evil and injustice each of us finds our calling towards, to bring the love and truth of Christ to, the fact remains, it is up to the Church! @MPoweredChristian

The Christian Response to World Poverty

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This is a very long, guilt–laden, fundraising appeal for World Vision. It could have been stated in half the time.

It also uses a corrupted quotation of St. Francis of Assisi when it says, “Preach the Gospel always. Use words if necessary.” The closest comes from his Rule of 1221, Chapter XII on how the Franciscans should practice their preaching:
No brother should preach contrary to the form and regulations of the holy Church nor unless he has been permitted by his minister … All the Friars … should preach by their deeds.

Disappointed

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