"Preach the Gospel always. Use words if necessary." - St. Francis of Assisi
It's 1998 and Richard Stearns' heart is breaking as he sits in a...
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Dec 02, 2011
Nicki
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It has taken me a while to get through it as there is an awful lot to think about and digest. Its certainly not an easy listen, well not for me, as it has made me question my whole attitude to the poor and needy in the world and particularly the developing world.
I really like the personal stories about the author as I can understand where he was coming from. I particularly liked the parts when God was challenging him to take the job at World Vison USA and he really didn’t want it. He is ve More...
I really like the personal stories about the author as I can understand where he was coming from. I particularly liked the parts when God was challenging him to take the job at World Vison USA and he really didn’t want it. He is ve More...
Jun 14, 2011
Rachel
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Thank God I'm done reading this book! This guy made some good points but he is NOT a good writer! He just kept going on and on to make a simple point. It's not neccesary to quote several famous people, several verses, and tell a few hundred stories to make your point! Really, he needs to read some Hemmingway before he tries to write another book!
Regardless of the author serious lack of writing ablitity he did make some great points and I learned some important things, like that a child di More...
Regardless of the author serious lack of writing ablitity he did make some great points and I learned some important things, like that a child di More...
May 17, 2011
Hannah
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Richard Stearns is CEO of World Vision, an organization that feeds, clothes, and shelters children all over the globe. In his book, Stearns, passionately declares that most Americans have a hole in their lives as a result of ignoring the world's poor. It is not only American lives that have this hole, he says, but also the Christian gospel. By not feeding, clothing, and sheltering the poor in our world, Stearns argues that Christians fail to fulfill Christ's commands. He uses, statistics, perso
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Mar 08, 2011
Jeff
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Everyone really praises this book, but I feel like Richard Stearns has exchanged one hole for another. He is really good at taking his personal conviction for what is right and bringing in Scripture to support it. The result is a gospel that is void of salvation, discipleship and biblical principles and replaced with social justice, eliminating poverty and the distribution of wealth. Those ideas aren't necessarily bad in principle, but they can't take center stage. For example, when Jesus, a
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Feb 21, 2010
Trevor
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The book opens with a question it intends to answer in the 279 pages which follow. The question: "What does God expect of us?"
Stearns, currently the president of World Vision, recalls just 60 days into his tenure having his bubble of satisfied security burst open. He had been the CEO of Lenox, a luxury tableware company, who lived in a ten-bedroom house, drove a Jaguar, and flew first-class to business destinations around the world. In those days, when he encountered injus More...
Stearns, currently the president of World Vision, recalls just 60 days into his tenure having his bubble of satisfied security burst open. He had been the CEO of Lenox, a luxury tableware company, who lived in a ten-bedroom house, drove a Jaguar, and flew first-class to business destinations around the world. In those days, when he encountered injus More...
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Oct 06, 2009
Keiki
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I began to read this book and was almost in tears before Chapter Two. If you have a heart for missions or if you see the need for more Christian action and not words, you should read this book.
He is not an unknown man. Richard Stearns was CEO of a Lenox, Inc. when something or better said Someone opened his eyes to the great need of our time.
In The Hole in Our Gospel: The Answer that Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World, Richard Stearns writes of how he came to be More...
He is not an unknown man. Richard Stearns was CEO of a Lenox, Inc. when something or better said Someone opened his eyes to the great need of our time.
In The Hole in Our Gospel: The Answer that Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World, Richard Stearns writes of how he came to be More...
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May 29, 2009
Laura
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Rich Stearns presents reasons for why he believes we have a hole in our gospel if our faith has no outward expression, specifically changing the world we live in where we see poverty and suffering. He begins the book describing his journey from disadvantaged youth to president of a luxury goods corporation to president of World Vision and how his faith grew and he grew until he was able to accept the job at World Vision. These chapters challenge us to evaluate our lives and see if we are liv
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May 08, 2009
Estela
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As a Christian believer on her way to be "reborn", I began reading "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns expecting to be given pause in my faith. The title seemed to depict a critic's view of Christianity. I was hesitant to start, since my recent re-entry into the church was still edged with doubts as to whether or not this was my spiritual destination. Right off the bat, though, I became engrossed into Stearn's story and message, and soon found that instead of weakenin
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Apr 08, 2009
Melissa
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I received this book as part of the Book Review Bloggers program with Thomas Nelson. Richard Stearns is president of World Vision U.S. and in this book he puts out a call to Christians to embrace the whole gospel and get serious about bringing God’s love to a world that is full of injustice.
Stearns has managed to avoid what could easily have become a depressing, guilt inducing read to produce an inspiring call to action and self-examination. His honest appraisal of his own attempts More...
Stearns has managed to avoid what could easily have become a depressing, guilt inducing read to produce an inspiring call to action and self-examination. His honest appraisal of his own attempts More...
Jul 28, 2011
Adriane
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The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns is not a book to read lightly. It has the power to change your life in some very uncomfortable ways, that is, if you live in a Western nation with access to potable water, food and shelter. He says that if you went through the Bible and underlined every passage that deals with poverty and injustice, then cut them out with scissors, you would end up with a book in tatters; that to ignore the suffering of the world is to ignore the heart of God, and “A g
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Apr 22, 2009
Rebornbutterfly
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This book is amazing, it will be on my favorite books of 2009, possibly even my favorite books of all time! It’s a book that you can’t walk away from unchanged or at least unchallenged.
I think the most amazing thing about this book is that is is so much more than him, the author and me, reader. It’s about a community of men and women who has an urgent calling to make a difference in the world, by repairing this “hole” in our gospel. This book can and more than likely will change a More...
I think the most amazing thing about this book is that is is so much more than him, the author and me, reader. It’s about a community of men and women who has an urgent calling to make a difference in the world, by repairing this “hole” in our gospel. This book can and more than likely will change a More...
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Feb 01, 2012
Brent
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What a great book. This book will make you re-examine your christian life to determine if you really are doing all God expects from you.
World Vision President Richard Stearn begins by telling us his story. How he became a christian, how he held various CEO jobs for big companies making a lot of money, how he was fired a few times, how he was without a job for 14 months, how he eventually became head of World Vision when he certainly didn't want to and how examing the poverty and More...
World Vision President Richard Stearn begins by telling us his story. How he became a christian, how he held various CEO jobs for big companies making a lot of money, how he was fired a few times, how he was without a job for 14 months, how he eventually became head of World Vision when he certainly didn't want to and how examing the poverty and More...
Feb 28, 2011
Maya
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Richard Stearns, the CEO of World Vision begins this work by telling his own personal story of struggle to let go of a lucrative job with Lenox, a high-end silverware company, ten-bedroom home and beautiful company car, uproot his family of wife and five children to move to Seattle to become CEO of a world-wide charitable organization.
Stearns tells his story to reveal what many Christian believers in America experience; the struggle to apply biblical principles in a culture that has More...
Stearns tells his story to reveal what many Christian believers in America experience; the struggle to apply biblical principles in a culture that has More...
Aug 05, 2011
Scott
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This book is a MUST read for all true followers of Christ.
I could not put it down. It unfortunately was very convicting. It deals with the founder of World Vision, the Author, and how he left the corporate world to become involved w/ World Vision. After that it deals with what he has learned abobut the problems facing our world today. He shows how we as the church are missing are on the whole not participating in fixing these problems. Poverty/water crises/ hunger/TB/ Malaria/Aids...the ma More...
I could not put it down. It unfortunately was very convicting. It deals with the founder of World Vision, the Author, and how he left the corporate world to become involved w/ World Vision. After that it deals with what he has learned abobut the problems facing our world today. He shows how we as the church are missing are on the whole not participating in fixing these problems. Poverty/water crises/ hunger/TB/ Malaria/Aids...the ma More...
Feb 25, 2011
Gail
rated it:
The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer that changed My Life and Might Just Change The World, by Richard Stearns, 2009, Thomas Nelson, 320 Pages, Hardcover, First Edition, ISBN-13: 978-0785229186, $22.99
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, Inc., prayed God would "let his heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." God answered and World Vision, Inc. flourished.
In 1984, Richard Stearns didn't know World Vision was a Christia More...
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, Inc., prayed God would "let his heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." God answered and World Vision, Inc. flourished.
In 1984, Richard Stearns didn't know World Vision was a Christia More...
Feb 05, 2010
Jen
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This book is a man’s call – and challenge – to the American Church to come to the aid of the poor, sick, hurting, and homeless here and around the world.
Mr. Stearns became the president of World Vision in 1998 after a long career in executive management with companies such as Parker Brothers and Lenox. He had achieved the American Dream twice and had also suffered from his own hardship as well. When the opportunity from World Vision came about, he wasn’t exactly jumping at the chance More...
Mr. Stearns became the president of World Vision in 1998 after a long career in executive management with companies such as Parker Brothers and Lenox. He had achieved the American Dream twice and had also suffered from his own hardship as well. When the opportunity from World Vision came about, he wasn’t exactly jumping at the chance More...
Apr 28, 2011
Jennifer
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Under the title of this book lies the phrase, “The answer that changed my life and might just change the world.” I can full heartedly say that this book changed me and absolutely does have the possibility of changing the world if everyone read it and took action. I just want to shout from the rooftops that I know the answer. It is unreal to me how such an obvious message can be missed by so many people. The Hole in Our Gospel is a tricky title. It is one that catches your attention (as it did
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May 21, 2009
Tim
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Have you ever read a book you felt was written for an audience of one - you? "The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision, U.S. is one of those books for me.
My takeaway is this: "That which breaks the heart of God, should also break my heart." Mr. Stearns mentions this throughout the book and it is the underlying theme of his story as well as the stories of others called to take action.
There are heart breaking stories More...
My takeaway is this: "That which breaks the heart of God, should also break my heart." Mr. Stearns mentions this throughout the book and it is the underlying theme of his story as well as the stories of others called to take action.
There are heart breaking stories More...
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Dec 22, 2010
Bj
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By far the most challenging book I have read this year. This book is a must read for any American believer.
Through his first hand encounters and heart felt honesty, Stearn opens our eyes to the unseen world of poverty, disease and corruption around the world. The middle section of this book is absolutely mind blowing. Stearns puts a face on the numbers we hear about and puts particulars on the "needs" in other countries that are often times so ambiguous.
Stil More...
Through his first hand encounters and heart felt honesty, Stearn opens our eyes to the unseen world of poverty, disease and corruption around the world. The middle section of this book is absolutely mind blowing. Stearns puts a face on the numbers we hear about and puts particulars on the "needs" in other countries that are often times so ambiguous.
Stil More...
Jul 05, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
Richard Stearns shares his journey in service to the Kingdom of God and encourages the reader to join him in plugging the hole in our gospel. He displays our service to Jesus Christ in realistic manner, effectively removing all doubts as to God’s ability to use us to bless others. He encourages the reader to ‘take up his cross, and follow’ in a manner that is inviting and non-threatening.
This book has opened my eyes to the reality of the world we live in, and my own neglect of my s More...
This book has opened my eyes to the reality of the world we live in, and my own neglect of my s More...
Oct 05, 2011
Carol
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The first 1/3 of the book is Rich's amazing story of how he was called to the position of President of World Vision. Growing up poor, driving a taxi to pay for college, he got into Cornell, then Wharton for an MBA. He was the youngest CEO at Parker Brothers when they were bought out he was fired and looked for work for 14 months. Lenox hired him and he became their president in a short time, but God had other plans. The last 2/3 of the book talks about individuals and how their lives were change
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Aug 30, 2010
Aubrey
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It was a fast read-- full of relevant Scriptures & inspiring quotes. I was delighted to see a gob of resource recommendations in the back-- even movies that are relevant to the topic. I'm inspired. I pray that God will use my time, talents, & treasure to make an impact for His "least."
Favorite quotes, in no particular order:
"For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me depo More...
Favorite quotes, in no particular order:
"For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank bottled water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me depo More...
Jun 15, 2009
Tim
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I love how Stearns' honesty permeates this book. His life-long grappling over taking care of the poor mixed with his own rags-to-riches story and reluctance to serve in ministry captured my heart-- not to mention the staggering statistics of how the wealthiest Christians in the world (us) are one of the lowest givers in the world toward the poor. American churches (as a whole) give less than 2% of their annual income (which is made up of tithes from less than 2% of their congregation). Althou
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Aug 09, 2011
If this book doesn't fill you with a desire to change the world, then you need to check your pulse. Filled with countless stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things and passage after passage of a God calling us to so much more, this book challenges, prods, spurs and invites. This book exposes a church, particularly in the wealthiest parts of the world, that has ignored and turned away from people that God cares most about: the poor, oppressed, hungry, blind & sick. This books calls us
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Feb 05, 2012
Lyle
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I had some time to get serious reading done over the past week. I pushed through most of “Dead” Aid and finished “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”, as well as this gem: “The Hole in our Gospel” by Richard Sterns. It came reccomended by a few of my friends and I thought I would give it a shot. I came with the expectations that it would follow the same line of thought David Platt presents in “Radical”. Not only do I recommend this book to every Christian, but I highly recommend it to any n
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Jul 24, 2011
Jenn Raley
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My favorite quote from the whole book:
"It's easy to see how this dividing of the gospel left both sides with only half a gospel, that is, a gospel with a hole in it, as each became satisfied with their particular piece. But this diminution of the whole gospel left both camps with just a shadow of the tremendous power of the good news proclaimed by Jesus. His gospel encompassed not only the forgiveness of sins and the saving of our souls but also the fullness of the coming kingdo More...
"It's easy to see how this dividing of the gospel left both sides with only half a gospel, that is, a gospel with a hole in it, as each became satisfied with their particular piece. But this diminution of the whole gospel left both camps with just a shadow of the tremendous power of the good news proclaimed by Jesus. His gospel encompassed not only the forgiveness of sins and the saving of our souls but also the fullness of the coming kingdo More...
Sep 11, 2010
Alana
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This is an eye-opening, challenging, and convicting book. Richard Stearns presents the facts well, with both compassion and humility, as he exorts Christians, individually and corporately, to do something about global poverty. If you want to remain blissfully unaware of the urgent needs of people around the world (as I did for a long time, which is why this book sat on my shelf for a year before I actually opened it), don't read this book. If you want your eyes open to the reality of the world
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Jul 19, 2009
Renee
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The Hole In Our Gospel is the story of Richard Stearns who rose from a poor young man to being the CEO of major corporations through his own hard word and determination. One day he wakes up to find he is being called by God to make a major life change, to step down from his lucrative position and move across the country to become the President of World Vision - a Christian humanitarian charity organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach the
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Dec 26, 2010
Dave
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This is a difficult yet important book for anyone who claims to be Christian. In fact, I managed to put off reading it for months because I knew it would challenge some of my more selfish economic decisions. The author, Richard Stearns, is the president of World Vision, and the basic message of the book is this: It's not acceptable for followers of Christ in the developed world to hoard wealth and ignore the great need of suffering people everywhere else. The technological and logistical realiti
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Oct 06, 2011
Erik
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Interesting ideas. Disagree with the kingdom theology and the emphasis on taking care of the poor as almost a necessity for salvation, or an absolutely sure result of salvation. It would seem mor proper to say that obedience is the missing hole in the Western gospel, but even that seems tobe taking liberties; narrowing what must be obeyed down to caring for the poor is going to far. However, the reminder to actually put faith into action and care for those hurting people who make up a major p
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