(Jon Warren/World Vision)

We’re all planting seeds, metaphorically. The things we say, the way we treat people, the example we set all can have an impact on those around us. On this side of heaven, we may never know the results.

One person who influenced me at a key moment was John Stott. One night in graduate school, I read his book Basic Christianity cover-to-cover. I was an atheist when I started reading, but by the time I finished the book, I knew it was God’s truth. Recently I wrote to Dr. Stott, thanking him for his impact on my faith and sharing how my life changed as a result.

Though I’m no Dr. Stott, I feel blessed to know that The Hole in Our Gospel is also a tool God is using to plant seeds in people’s hearts. I’ve heard from pastors, politicians, and even a major-league baseball player that my book compelled them to step out in faith for the poor. Clearly, the book is reaching a wide range of people. And all I can do is praise God for giving me this opportunity to serve Him.

What seeds are you planting today? Or think of those who influenced you. Isn’t this a good time to tell them how you’ve “bloomed”?

But when every day is a struggle, six months is a long time. In Haiti, it has been a long and arduous six months since the earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince and ended more than 220,000 lives. Think about what it would be like to live in tents and temporary housing for 180 days, without most of your possessions, dependent on others for food and clean water, recovering from physical injuries—and grieving lost loved ones.

Haiti’s suffering captivated the world’s attention in January, but as it always happens, we’ve moved on to other things—the oil spill in the Gulf, Supreme Court decisions, the World Cup. Even for me, Haiti is not always top-of-mind. Fortunately, I receive regular updates from my World Vision colleagues there, sharing their successes and struggles, praise reports and prayer requests.

Among the progress to date (click here to read a full report):

• Food to more than 1.86 million people
• Water and sanitation in 28 camps
• Safe zones and recreation for children in 22 locations
• Five mobile health clinics and five static clinics serving more than 11,000 people
• Basic supplies distributed to 120,000 people

These are significant accomplishments, but Haiti is on a steep uphill climb to recovery. More than 1 million people are still homeless; many are without jobs. Removing rubble is an immense task. And the onset of the hurricane season poses a real concern for more devastation.

Six months later, Haitians are clinging to hope. But Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God hasn’t forgotten Haiti—and we can’t, either. Please continue to pray.

P.S. Watch a video in which World Vision workers reflect on the Haiti quake.

But the proof is in using the material, especially with a group of people who aren’t quite so steeped in poverty and justice issues as I am. Having done so, I can highly recommend start. A five-star cast of Christians appears on the DVD: Chuck Colson, Joni Eareckson Tada, Kay Warren, John Ortberg, Eugene Peterson, and others. The biblically based content is thought-provoking, exploring such issues as pandemic diseases, social injustice, and the environment, and each session provides interesting ways to “live out” what you’ve learned.

If your small group is intrigued by the story of the Good Samaritan and its applications for you today, this is—as the title suggests—a great place to start.

To go deeper, especially if The Hole in Our Gospel resonated with you, try Gospel Quest, a resource for small groups and Sunday school classes. Developed by Cross Section (which created the 40 Days of Purpose campaign materials), Thomas Nelson, and World Vision, the six sessions and DVD dig into what it means to love your neighbor. It’s not exactly a feel-good experience. But I’ll quote a woman who shared her feelings about Gospel Quest: “My heart is hurting and bursting with joy at the same time.”

Have you studied start>Becoming a Good Samaritan or Gospel Quest? If so, let me know how it went. What other resources have inspired your small group to put your faith in action?

P.S. If your church wants to try Gospel Quest, check out this offer for free copies of The Hole in Our Gospel.



(Jon Warren/World Vision)

I’m rather comfortable with independence, myself. You might already know my story: I took my destiny into my own hands early on. When I was 10, I realized that my struggling, divorced parents wouldn’t be able to make things happen for me. Eight years, I remember thinking—that’s how long I have to make it till I’m on my own. I did it; I finished high school and got a scholarship to Cornell. And along the way, I became convinced that I didn’t need anyone, especially not God.

I’m thankful that as a graduate student, the time came when I made a 180-degree change and committed my life to Christ. But it took me years and many life lessons before I fully surrendered to God. The Israelites learned reliance the hard way, too. During the 40 years they wandered in the desert, God gave them daily manna, but only just enough, so they couldn’t hoard it or store it up. Every day, they had to trust in God’s provision.

That’s a tough spot. There are those who might even say it’s un-American to rely on someone or something else; we are a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps culture. And yet, as a Christian, if you don’t surrender all to God, your faith is dead in the water.

So maybe it’s counter-cultural, but this Fourth of July, I’d like to set off a few fireworks to celebrate my dependence on my Lord and my God, who made me and knows me and in whom I can fully trust.

Andrew Goodwin/World Vision

At first, I thought the “wind” would come from promotion by my publisher, Thomas Nelson, and by World Vision, as well as some media attention, all of which did happen. But what has surprised and delighted and humbled me is the unexpected way my “kite” has taken flight—through people like you.

Yes, I’m talking to you. If you’re reading this blog, it’s a good chance you’re one of the people who told a friend about The Hole in Our Gospel. You suggested it for your church small-group study, or you’re a pastor and you shared it with your congregation. You blogged about it. You tweeted about it. You wrote a customer review on an online bookseller.

Yesterday I had coffee with a couple in Sacramento who bought 440 copies to give to pastors and friends. Via a recent Facebook post, a woman named Gloria told me, “I work in a Bible bookstore and I tell people that you gave the best explanation for poverty I’ve ever read.” Paul, a Catholic priest from Nigeria, said that he has recommended my book to those in his network—one of many people across the globe who are doing the same.

I’m deeply thankful for your efforts. And I know it’s not for me. God is working through you and me, and this book is simply a humble instrument to create change in our world. Thank you, all of you, for helping me fly this kite as a witness to the good news of Jesus’ perfect gospel.

I was thinking of this recently as I reflected on God’s love for me—an earthly father’s love magnified a million times. He sees our hearts and loves who we are, and He praises us for what we do for Him. Sometimes our best efforts might look to Him like old pasta poorly glued on paper, but like any Father anywhere, He cherishes them.

I like to think God hangs my rudimentary “art projects” on His wall in heaven. This breaks my heart and fills me with joy, all at the same time.

Father’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our earthly fathers—but also the ultimate Father, who teaches us, every day, what love truly is.

Rich Stearns and Max Lucado in Ethiopia in 2009.

Seriously, the actual verse in Luke applies not just to individuals, but also to churches. Max Lucado’s church, Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, is truly blessed. Its congregation is more than 8,000 members strong and has many vibrant ministries and small groups. These folks could easily bask in the glow of having bestselling author Max and the dynamic Randy Frazee at the pulpit and just keep to themselves.

But they don’t. Oak Hills goes out to help “reap the harvest” through missions programs in Brazil, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Nicaragua, and the local community. With Max and Randy’s leadership, they’re exploring how to be a church of change like the early Christians in the book of Acts. And Oak Hills and World Vision share a desire to help children in poor communities, so while I was there, we did some dreaming about what we can do together.

I’ll never forget what Pastor Morgan Chilulu in Zambia told me: “A church within its four walls is no church at all.” Oak Hills is bursting out of its walls—no gooey-butter pie necessary.

How have you or your church been “given much”? What does that compel you to do for your neighbor in need? I believe the church can literally change the world—do you?

Banker To The Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunus, Public Affairs, 1999. The inventor of microcredit and winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize shares how a $27 loan became a $2.5 billion banking enterprise that provides financing to poor entrepreneurs.

The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It by Paul Collier, Oxford University Press, 2007. This book explains why a billion people in the world remain trapped in grinding poverty, and discusses a range of policies that can help them.

Changing the Face of Hunger: The Story of How Liberals, Conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, and People of Faith are Joining Forces in a New Movement to Help the Hungry, the Poor, and the Oppressed by Tony Hall, Thomas Nelson, 2007. Congressman Tony Hall uses his experience in Ethiopia and several other developing nations to address the causes and solutions of poverty, and the necessity of cooperation throughout the political world.

Creating a Habitat for Humanity: No Hands But Yours by Jonathan T.M. Reckford, Fortress Press, 2007.  This book addresses the issues of affordable housing and homelessness, and how Habitat for Humanity changes the lives of not only its housing recipients, but also participating builders.

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey Sachs, Penguin Press, 2005. The economic advisor to the United Nations and several countries presents nine specific steps for eliminating the world’s worst poverty by 2025.

The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer, Random House, 2009. This book tries to answer two tough questions: why people in affluent countries should help fight global poverty, and how much each person should give.

Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matter Most by Wes Stafford, WaterBrook Press, 2007. Dr. Wes Stafford uses his experiences as a boy raised in West Africa to encourage readera to invest in the future of their children and the less fortunate children of others.

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankoski, Multnomah Press, 2005. This is the story of Mike Yankoski, a Christian convicted to go and live among the homeless for six months to bring to light the issues that plague the oft-forgotten and impoverished of our society.

Up and Out of Poverty: The Social Marketing Solution by Philip Kotler and Nancy R. Lee, Wharton School Publishing, 2009. Poverty is considered from the perspective of the marketer – what marketing strategies and techniques can do to assess and help reduce poverty.

Voices of the Poor—Can Anyone Hear Us? by Deepa Narayan, Oxford University Press, 2000. This book is part of a research initiative that addresses poverty from the perspective of the poor. Spanning 50 countries, the voices of over 40,000 men and women are collected and used to help change the conventional definition of poverty.

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor … and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, Moody Publishers, 2009.  This book centers on the incorrect assumptions Christians may have about the causes of poverty.

The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good by William Easterly, Penguin Press, 2007. Using statistical analyses, Easterly explains why traditional aid programs can actually make things worse, and demonstrates the victories of locally planned and executed efforts.

Hunger and Famine

Changing the Face of Hunger: The Story of How Liberals, Conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, and People of Faith are Joining Forces in a New Movement to Help the Hungry, the Poor, and the Oppressed by Tony Hall, Thomas Nelson, 2007. Congressman Tony Hall uses his experience in Ethiopia and several other developing nations to address the causes and solutions of poverty, and the necessity of cooperation throughout the political world.

Compassion Fatigue: How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death by Susan D. Moeller, Routledge, 1999.  Moeller discusses how sensational news coverage has dulled public sensitivity to global disasters and crises.

Grace At the Table: Ending Hunger in God’s World by David Beckmann and Arthur Simon, Paulist Press, 1999. Bread for the World’s founding president David Beckmann and current president Arthur Simon detail the causes of and solutions to poverty and world hunger.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity by Ronald J. Sider, Thomas Nelson, 2005. Dr. Ron Sider explores the causes of world hunger and the flaws and merits of both liberal and conservative viewpoints on the subject of poverty.

Health and Disease

Compassion Fatigue: How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death by Susan D. Moeller, Routledge, 1999.  Moeller discusses how sensational news coverage has dulled public sensitivity to global disasters and crises.

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder, Random House, 2003. The biography of Dr. Paul Farmer, a specialist in infectious diseases who founded a health center in Haiti and who successfully lobbied changes in treatment recommendations for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Warrior Princess: Fighting for Life with Courage and Hope by Princess Kasune Zulu, InterVarsity Press, 2009. The true story of a Zambian woman whose parents were ripped from her by AIDS, Zulu speaks out about her HIV-positive status and the need for a change in Africa.

Social Justice

Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, InterVarsity Press, 2008. Activist Shane Claiborne writes that a life of prayer is the beginning of a call to action.

Beyond Humanitarianism: What You Need to Know About Africa and Why It Matters, Princeton N. Lyman and Patricia Dorff, editors, Council on Foreign Relations Books, 2007. This book looks at Africa’s increasing significance – as an emerging player in world politics, its importance to the oil industry, and its health and poverty issues.

Compassion Fatigue: How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death by Susan D. Moeller, Routledge, 1999.  Moeller discusses how sensational news coverage has dulled public sensitivity to global disasters and crises.

God’s Politics by Jim Wallis, HarperSanFrancisco, 2005. Jim Wallis proposes a new kind of politics – the sort where the right and the left embrace working for peace and social justice while relying on spiritual guidance to reconcile their differences.

Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World (updated 10^th anniversary edition) by Gary A. Haugen, InterVarsity Press, 2009.  This book contains stories of Christians who have stood up against injustice, and offers guidance for those who would like to do the same.

Human Rights and Human Wrongs: Major Issues for a New Century by John R. W. Stott, Baker Books, 1999. John Stott outlines a Christian’s responsibility to demonstrate God’s love through participation in social justice.

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne, Zondervan, 2006. Shane Claiborne tells the story of his personal faith journey, which took him from the Bible Belt to Calcutta, and living in the radical faith community Simple Way, located among the poor and destitute of Philadelphia.

Just Courage: God’s Great Expedition for the Restless Christian by Gary A. Haugen, InterVarsity Press, 2008.  International Justice Mission president Gary Haugen challenges the conventional American Christian lifestyle, asserting that living a life for Christ can also mean living a life of adventure.

Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference by Warren St. John, Spiegel & Grau, 2010. This is the story of a Jordanian woman’s experience coaching a group of refugee boys who formed soccer teams after resettling in Clarkston, Ga., from the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans.

The Poverty & Justice Bible, American Bible Society, 2009. A version of the Bible with highlighted verses relating to poverty and justice.

Practical Ethics, 2nd ed., by Peter Singer, Cambridge University Press, 1993. A compendium of case studies and analyses, this book is a practical look at the ethics of our society, and the controversy that accompanies making moral choices.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, Riverhead, 2007. This is the fictional story of Mariam, a young Afghan girl who struggles with her status as an illegitimate child and her arranged marriage to a much older, abusive man.

Welcoming Justice: God’s Movement Toward Beloved Community by Charles Marsh and John Perkins, InterVarsity Press, 2009.  This book details God’s plan for the reconciliation of differences and the end of division between communities.

Volunteerism and Missions

Becoming a Good Samaritan by Michael R. Seaton with Ashley Wiersma, Zondervan, 2009. Michael Seaton presents the idea of a world where Christians band together to address local and global issues, such as poverty and social justice.

Global Compassion: Private Voluntary Organizations and U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1939 by Rachel M. McCleary, Oxford University Press, 2009. McCleary presents a history of private voluntary organizations, such as Oxfam, CARE, and World Vision, and their importance to US foreign policy.

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder, Random House, 2003. The biography of Dr. Paul Farmer, a specialist in infectious diseases who founded a health center in Haiti and who successfully lobbied changes in treatment recommendations for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Philanthro-Capitalism: How the Rich Can Save the World by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green, Bloomsbury Press, 2008. Bishop and Green examine a new way of looking at philanthropy – large “social investors” who use a business style while doing good and expect a high yield from their investment into charity organizations.

Revolution in Generosity: Transforming Stewards to be Rich Toward God, Wesley K Willmer, editor, Moody Publishers, 2008. Wesley Willmer explains that generosity and fundraising are spiritual activities, not meant to be burdensome, but to preserve a place in heaven for those following the example of Christ.

Spirit of Service: Your Daily Stimulus for Making a Difference, HarperOne, 2009. This is a daily devotional that offers 365 specific suggestions on how to get involved.

Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson, Viking Adult, 2009. Greg Mortenson writes about the impact that education could have on peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself by Austin Gutwein with Todd Hillard, Thomas Nelson, 2009.  This is the story of Austin Gutwein, who founded Hoops of Hope before his 10th birthday, and has raised over one million dollars for HIV/AIDS children.

The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody by Bill Hybels, Zondervan, 2004. Bill Hybels explains the church’s mandate toward stewardship and service, encouraging local churches to get involved with their community.

Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism by Arthur C. Brooks, Basic Books, 2006. The noted public policy expert examines who really drives charitable giving in the U.S., and shows how it is crucial to our economy, our happiness, health, and democracy.

Christian Living, Theology, and Church Development

Basic Christianity by John R.W. Stott, InterVarsity Press, 1958. John Stott examines the historical facts of Christianity, what it stands for, and the implications of Jesus Christ as the risen Son of God.

Becoming a Good Samaritan by Michael R. Seaton with Ashley Wiersma, Zondervan, 2009. Michael Seaton presents the idea of a world where Christians band together to address local and global issues, such as poverty and social justice.

A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions by Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley, FaithWords, 2009. The collaboration of a climate scientist and a religious leader, this book addresses how Christians can use the science of global warming to make faith-based decisions about climate change.

Enemies with Smiling Faces: Defeating the Subtle Threats That Endanger Christians by Donald C. Posterski, InterVarsity Press, 2004. Posterski discusses the deception in which that some enemies to the Christian faith can mask themselves, such as popular “Christian” concepts including spiritual superiority and privatized faith.

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, 2009. Max Lucado provides a hopeful attitude, wisdom, and Scripture to Christians struggling on a day-to-day basis with fears and uncertainty.

Follow Me to Freedom: Leading as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne, Regal, 2009. Starting with Moses, Claiborne takes examples of leadership from the Bible as well as from more recent history and explains how to use these examples to live out God’s promise of freedom.

Glocalization: How Followers of Jesus Engage in a Flat World by Bob Roberts Jr., Zondervan, 2007. Pastor Bob Roberts outlines the six practices churches should use to be both wise and innocent in a global and local world.

Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance by Bob Buford, Zondervan, 1997. Bob Buford writes about using the midlife “halftime” period as a chance to live out God’s plan.

If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg, Zondervan, 2001. Ortberg writes that taking leaps of faith is a much larger part of being a Christian than most people realize.

Just Jesus: The Greatest Things Ever Said About the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Daniel Whyte III, editor, Torch Legacy Publications, 2007. Quotations from significant people, past and present, about Jesus Christ.

Kingdom Without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity by Miriam Adeney, InterVarsity Press, 2009. Anthropologist Adeney writes about her global travels and discoveries relevant to worldwide Christianity and the struggles Christians overseas face on a daily basis.

The Life and Work of Dwight Lyman Moody by J. Wilbur Chapman, Bradley-Garretson, 1900. Collected sermons of the legendary evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody.

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri J.M. Nouwen, Crossroad Publishing Company, 2002. Written at the request of a friend, Nouwen explains in simple language the lifestyle, theology and motivation of Christians.

The Multiplying Church: The New Math for Starting New Churches by Bob Roberts Jr., Zondervan, 2008. Pastor Bob Roberts shares his theory that an early-model plan for church multiplication needs to be implemented, by sending laypeople out into the community to start new churches.

The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins, Oxford University Press, 2002. Jenkins writes that Christianity will spread exponentially in the next 40 years, and expounds on the challenges and consequences that go along with a global Christianity.

The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity by Soong-Chan Rah, InterVarsity Press, 2009. Soong-Chan Rah calls for Christians to welcome with open arms the striking cultural diversity of the 21st century church.

The Poverty & Justice Bible, American Bible Society, 2009. A version of the Bible with highlighted verses relating to poverty and justice.

Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright, HarperOne, 2008. The Anglican Bishop of Durham discusses resurrection and the beliefs of the early Christian church.

Stewards in the Kingdom: A Theology of Life in All Its Fullness by R. Scott Rodin, InterVarsity Press, 2000. Giving money to the church isn’t the only way to practice stewardship, writes R. Scott Rodin. Christians also must live a fruitful life and practice being servants.

Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World by Bob Roberts Zondervan, 2006. Pastor Bob Roberts draws insight from early church transformation and the growth of churches in the developing world, encouraging Christians to move from church business to church community.

unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, Baker Books, 2007. An alarming look at what young Americans think of Christianity and what can be done to remedy the perception of Christian intolerance abounding in today’s youth culture.

Finance

Banker To The Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty by Muhammad Yunus, Public Affairs, 1999. The inventor of microcredit and winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize shares how a $27 loan became a $2.5 billion banking enterprise that provides financing to poor entrepreneurs.

Money, Possessions and Eternity by Randy Alcorn, Tyndale House, 2003. Randy Alcorn uses Scripture to emphasize what the Bible actually says about money, encouraging his readers to face head-on issues such as materialism, stewardship, and debt.

Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street by Jim Wallis, Howard Books, 2010. Jim Wallis writes how the economic crisis will change the lives of God’s people, addressing the need to move forward and adopt a change in financial lifestyle.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity by Ronald J. Sider, Thomas Nelson, 2005. Dr. Ron Sider explores the causes of world hunger and the flaws and merits of both liberal and conservative viewpoints on the subject of poverty.

Women’s Issues

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Borzoi Books, 2009. Husband-and-wife journalists make a case for women’s economic empowerment as a necessity for countries to escape poverty.

Terrify No More: Young Girls Held Captive and the Daring Undercover Operation to Win Their Freedom by Gary A. Haugen and Gregg Hunter, Thomas Nelson, 2005. This is the true story of the International Justice Mission’s infiltration of Cambodian brothels to rescue the women and girls that had fallen victim to human trafficking.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, Penguin Books, 2006. The founder of the Central Asia Institute tells the story of building dozens of schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan, and discusses the role of education in fighting Islamic extremism in the region.

Warrior Princess: Fighting for Life with Courage and Hope by Princess Kasune Zulu, InterVarsity Press, 2009. The true story of a Zambian woman whose parents were ripped from her by AIDS, Zulu speaks out about her HIV-positive status and the need for a change in Africa.

Genocide and Civil War

Compassion Fatigue: How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death by Susan D. Moeller, Routledge, 1999.  Moeller discusses how sensational news coverage has dulled public sensitivity to global disasters and crises.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. This is the story of a 12-year-old boy carried away by Sierra Leone’s civil war, his experiences after his recruitment for the national army, and his “repatriation” into society at age 17.

A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power, Basic Books, 2002. Power presents a case that, over the decades, even a small contribution by the U.S. government could have prevented much of the atrocity committed in Bosnia, Rwanda, and many other countries.

Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness by Tracy Kidder, Random House, 2009. This is the true story of Deo, a medical student fleeing the genocide in Burundi for the hope of a new life in New York.

What is the What by Dave Eggers, Vintage Books, 2006. This is the fictionalized memoir of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese civil war refugee searching for a new life in America.

Environmental Issues

A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions by Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley, FaithWords, 2009. The collaboration of a climate scientist and a religious leader, this book addresses how Christians can use the science of global warming to make faith-based decisions about climate change.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution—And How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008. Friedman explains that the green revolution that needs to sweep the globe should be viewed not only as a challenge, but as an opportunity for American leadership.

Human Rights and Human Wrongs: Major Issues for a New Century by John R.W. Stott, Baker Books, 1999. John Stott outlines a Christian’s responsibility to demonstrate God’s love through participation in social justice.

RECOMMENDED MOVIES

Amazing Grace (Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2006)

As We Forgive (Hinson, 2008)

Beyond Belief (Principle Pictures, 2006)

The Blind Side (Alcon Entertainment, 2009)

Blood Diamond (Warner Brothers, 2006)

Born Into Brothels  (Sundance, Briski/Kauffmann, 2004)

Catch a Fire (Focus Features, 2006)

City of God (Miramax, 2002)

A Closer Walk (HBO Films, 2004)

The Constant Gardener (Focus Features, 2005)

Cry Freetown (CNN International, 2000)

The Day My God Died  (Andrew Levine Productions, 2003)

Hotel Rwanda (MGM/United Artists, 2004)

Invisible Children (Invisible Children, Inc., 2003)

The Killing Fields (Warner Brothers, 1984)

Lost Boys of Sudan (Actual Films/Principle Pictures, 2004)

The Kite Runner (Dreamworks, 2007)

Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire (Lee Daniels Entertainment, 2009)

Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight Pictures/Warner Brothers, 2008)

Sometimes In April (HBO Films, 2005)

Yesterday (HBO Films, 2004)

The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It by Paul Collier, Oxford University Press, 2007. This book explains why a billion people in the world remain trapped in grinding poverty, and discusses a range of policies that can help them.

Changing the Face of Hunger: The Story of How Liberals, Conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, and People of Faith are Joining Forces in a New Movement to Help the Hungry, the Poor, and the Oppressed by Tony Hall, Thomas Nelson, 2007. Congressman Tony Hall uses his experience in Ethiopia and several other developing nations to address the causes and solutions of poverty, and the necessity of cooperation throughout the political world.

Creating a Habitat for Humanity: No Hands But Yours by Jonathan T.M. Reckford, Fortress Press, 2007.  This book addresses the issues of affordable housing and homelessness, and how Habitat for Humanity changes the lives of not only its housing recipients, but also participating builders.

The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey Sachs, Penguin Press, 2005. The economic advisor to the United Nations and several countries presents nine specific steps for eliminating the world’s worst poverty by 2025.

The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer, Random House, 2009. This book tries to answer two tough questions: why people in affluent countries should help fight global poverty, and how much each person should give.

Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matter Most by Wes Stafford, WaterBrook Press, 2007. Dr. Wes Stafford uses his experiences as a boy raised in West Africa to encourage readera to invest in the future of their children and the less fortunate children of others.

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankoski, Multnomah Press, 2005. This is the story of Mike Yankoski, a Christian convicted to go and live among the homeless for six months to bring to light the issues that plague the oft-forgotten and impoverished of our society.

Up and Out of Poverty: The Social Marketing Solution by Philip Kotler and Nancy R. Lee, Wharton School Publishing, 2009. Poverty is considered from the perspective of the marketer – what marketing strategies and techniques can do to assess and help reduce poverty.

Voices of the Poor—Can Anyone Hear Us? by Deepa Narayan, Oxford University Press, 2000. This book is part of a research initiative that addresses poverty from the perspective of the poor. Spanning 50 countries, the voices of over 40,000 men and women are collected and used to help change the conventional definition of poverty.

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor … and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, Moody Publishers, 2009.  This book centers on the incorrect assumptions Christians may have about the causes of poverty.

The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good by William Easterly, Penguin Press, 2007. Using statistical analyses, Easterly explains why traditional aid programs can actually make things worse, and demonstrates the victories of locally planned and executed efforts.

Compassion Fatigue: How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death by Susan D. Moeller, Routledge, 1999.  Moeller discusses how sensational news coverage has dulled public sensitivity to global disasters and crises.

Grace At the Table: Ending Hunger in God’s World by David Beckmann and Arthur Simon, Paulist Press, 1999. Bread for the World’s founding president David Beckmann and current president Arthur Simon detail the causes of and solutions to poverty and world hunger.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity by Ronald J. Sider, Thomas Nelson, 2005. Dr. Ron Sider explores the causes of world hunger and the flaws and merits of both liberal and conservative viewpoints on the subject of poverty.