The Calling: A Challenge to Walk the Narrow Road

by Baker Publishing Group, Verne Becker

A follow-up to the bestselling The Narrow Road, The Calling challenges readers to step out in obedience to God's call. It includes sidebars on young people living radical Christian lives amidst persecution.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Discipleship, Personal Growth

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2000

Reviews

[Madelein · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Det finns fortfarande miljarder människor som behöver nåd av Jesus. Så istället för att tjafsa om siffror, låt oss istället backa upp våra ord genom att leva ett liv som gör att andra ser att vi tillhör Jesus Kristus. Med en sådan profil, kan vi åstadkomma verklig förändring i världen.”

-Broder Andrew

[Beth Keeping · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is this book full of more of Brother Andrew's inspiring stories of faith, there are also some absolute gems about following God's calling every day in your own life. I love how matter-of-fact he is about this - there are no illusions here about Christian ministry being a special mantle for a chosen few. We are all called to live, breathe and carry Jesus into every space we're already in. And he gives us some great practical wisdom on how to live this out.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life! At the time of reading this book, I hadn't stepped into a church for 21 years. In Jan. 2016, I came across 'The Calling' at a thrift store, and quickly realized I truly missed Jesus being in my life for the past 21 years! I had been feeling that evil was chasing me, trying to run me off a bridge. Evil wanted me to continue on the bad path. As I ran from evil I tried to remain looking forward.
After I read 'The Calling: A Challenge to Walk the Narrow Road' and another book(The Book of Hope), I asked Jesus to forgive my sins. I stated I wanted to turn from my sins and I wanted to serve and follow Him. I gave myself to Jesus. I committed my future to Jesus. I asked Jesus to become Lord of my life.
That is when Jesus pulled me out of the darkness, and into the light!!
Evil only ended up pushing me towards a new path! A path of Hope/Forgiveness/Comfort/Security/Victory/Healing/Acceptance/Love/Fulfillment/Salvation/Restoration.
I was lost, but now I'm FOUND!
3 very important messages that are always with me after reading "The Calling" are:
"Word of God changes people and changed people change the situations around them"..
"The agenda must be God's agenda and not our own"...
"Don't let your commitment and faith in God be disguised".
THANK YOU Brother Andrew for being a faithful servant and listening to our Heavenly Father, so His awesome messages could be written for all to read in "The Calling: A Challenge to Walk the Narrow Road"!!
By the way, in Feb. 2016, after 21 years of being lost, I found a new Church and I am loving my new Church family my new home :)

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read God's Smuggler, but this was the first time I have read what happened in Brother Andrew's later years. I appreciate his dogged persistence in prayer and in supporting the persecuted church. Not an amazingly written book, but certainly a pretty amazing life.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

„wir erkennen die Herrschaft Gottes über unser Leben, erst dann in aller Fülle an, wenn wir seine Absichten erfassen und uns von ihm dazu gebrauchen lassen, in seiner Kraft, die Gemeinde Jesu zu stärken, oder aber politische Strömungen innerhalb eines Systems oder eines Landes zu beeinflussen“

Der rote Faden des Buches sind 10 Schritte:

1. Hören!
2. Handeln!
3. Beten!
4. Sich rufen lassen!
5. Mutig sein!
6. Da sein!
7. Für Jesus leben!
8. Treu sein!
9. Jesus ist Sieger!
10. Aus Gottes Kraft leben!

All diese Schritte sind begleitet mit den Erfahrungen und Aufforderungen von Bruder Andrews leben.

Ich bin dankbar für das herausfordernde Buch, und habe es gerne gelesen.

Rest in Peace Bruder Andrew bester Mann

[Anthony Cappoferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring and challenging Christian books I have read in a long time. Incredible stories of selflessness, heroism, and love from Brother Andrew and his Open Doors team. Highly, highly recommended to encourage you in your faith as a personal devotional and/or to give to a younger audience to demonstrate how beautiful “radical” Christianity can be. Awesome book. 10/10

[jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

read ‘God’s smuggler’ by the same author as a comic, so i already expected good things! the book expands on the work of Brother Andrew evangelizing and being obedient to God’s Word. one of the most impactful christian books i’ve read so far ( and i’ve only read a handful)
also one of those books where i could read several times and have been impacted in different ways)

[Ron Thibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brother Andrew offers wonderful insight and encouragement for those called to ministry. I was greatly blessed by his testimony on how God has provided through his many adventures. I look forward to reading his other works.

[Kirk Weikart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother Andrew and his organization, Open Doors, have long smuggled Bibles into countries where it is illegal. This book combined his personal stories with a ten step summary about responding to God's calling. The stories are old, but the ten steps are still worthwhile to the current reader.

[Mookie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, good stories, practical application.

Our primary calling is following Jesus.
Each of us called to bring the gospel to others.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational true stories of conversions and God's Providence. Very interesting writing.

[Nyah Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This man... So inspiring

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an inspiring and amazing book to read. It showed that when we truly love with Gods love doors can be opened even in the most dangerous of places.

[Günther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and easy read, while being very encouraging for everyday life

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay now I need to read God’s Smuggler. This is essentially God’s Smuggler 2 in the best way. We have moved beyond just there iron curtain to see persecuted Christians around the world. We see their fearless devotion and the way God uses ordinary people to bring encouragement and his word to them.

[HannahBeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many amazing passages in this book, and Brother Andrew shares many awe-inspiring stories of faith, and trust in God. I love reading about the persecuted church, and this was definitely the best book by far that I've ever read on the subject! It just made me want to live better, more like the daughter of God that I am, and share my faith more. I've nicknamed Brother Andrew the Modern Paul, because he reminds me a lot of the NT Paul. :D
I highly recommend this book!

[lysslyss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the so-called "sequel" to the Narrow Road. It's not AS interesting, as sequels usually are. However it IS more self-applicable. The Narrow Road included excerpts from other missionaries triumphs and struggles, while the Calling is more about how YOU can make a difference. Just as interesting, but not so adventuresome or thrilling.

[Светлана · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has fantastic stories after the ending of "God's Smuggler," his classic autobiography written with John and Elizabeth Sherrill.

This is a great devotional for anyone with a passion for missions, who is looking for ways to live it out. The stories are faith-building, and his thoughts are challenging and encouraging.

[Richard Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was very convicting and full of interesting encounters personally experienced by the author. The accounts within this book well traced the hand of God through multiple endeavors to get the Bible into the hands of the spiritually hungry. Very good book for those interested in some aspects of the persecuted church while encouraging a bolder life of commitment.

[Rachel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sort of sequel to God's Smuggler. Good picture of the struggling church in other countries, particularly Middle Eastern and Asian nations. This book has the amazing story of how Open Doors smuggled 1 million Bibles into China in one night.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book giving more examples of Open Doors's ministry in countries where the Church is suffering persecution. An important reminder that people are never our enemies; they are people for whom Christ died.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic and challenging book. I highly recommend it to all my friends. If you want to see how God is using believers all over the world, read this book! It will encourage and challenge you.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first quarter of the book was tedious heavy reading, but after that I was able to flow with the flow and began to indulge in the learnings that Brother Andrew was trying to share through this book.

[mee-ji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Brother Andrew- really inspired me in so many ways. It has made me want to be bolder and more open with my faith in hopes to share the Good News with those around me :)

[Eunhye · Rating 4 out of 5]

what an awesome testimony of life fully lived. compassion and mercy for the lives of other Christians -- it brings the sense of urgency that's missing in my life. -- to be continued.

[Wes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother Andrew is the man. He is a great Christian and he is Dutch. His story is great , I recommend you checking out the work that the Lord has done through him.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like all of Brother Andrew's books I have read...this one is compelling me to read on. Brother Andrew has a knack for mixing the right amount of story (or testimony) with teaching.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about the Bible smuggling into the Iron Curtain and Arab Countries.

[Kayla H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful insight on the beauty of trusting in God's direction even amongst opposing forces.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read through this book multiple times. It usually takes me a week or two to get through it because I like to digest each chapter slowly. Brother Andrew shares some amazing stories from throughout his life and ministry that both encourage and edify. He gives specific principles and prayers that he lives by, encouraging the reader to do the same. Throughout the book are also testimonies from people (particularly young people) who have done short-term work with Open Doors.

Highly recommend. Always encouraging, always edifying.