First Generation: Stories of Rebels and Pioneers

by Anonymous

First Generation is the fascinating account of a mass migration of people into an entirely new way of life. Individual stories, written in an unadorned style, are woven like a village basket, deft and earthy and insightful. Kirkus Reviews says: "The authors' prose is direct and succinct, and they express with impressive sensitivity and sympathy the experiences and worldviews of those they interview."

There are only a few places on this planet where the belief systems of the ancient world remain. Isolated between the Asian giants of India and China, and protected by the forbidding Himalayan mountains, Nepal has preserved through the centuries a way of life that is still mud and straw brick--a curious world of demons, idols, and god-men. Magic, astrology, fortune-telling, and even animal sacrifices are the norm. In their departure from a 5,000-year-old culture that is rooted in ancient Mesopotamia, Nepali Christians are truly Rebels and Pioneers.

These Nepali Christians may be some of the best examples we have of the early church. They are first-generation believers. Their theology is uncomplicated, their faith is innocent, and their lives are pure. We rarely hear their stories told in their voices.

Perhaps these primitive believers, many of them illiterate, can sense something that we cannot. Perhaps they hear a message that we cannot hear in our sterile, synthetic, self-absorbed world. Perhaps they can teach us something about faith and love and living.

210 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2013

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Quinn Grafton]

Rick Zachary provides a deeply insightful commentary on the masterful and beautifully complex relationships Jesus held with his disciples. He follows the chronological progression of their relationships, highlighting the changes in dynamic as he guides them from student to companion, friend to fellow leader and instructor of multitudes. Zachary gives 28 ways Jesus built his team to leaders, sighting scripture at the forefront of every point and interweaving it throughout his commentary. Whether its business, discipleship, church planting, or parenting, this book equips you with invaluable tools and insight into how to be an effective leader, and more importantly, a maker of leaders.

[Diana Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love biographies. They are my favorite kind of reading, especially biographies of Christian missionaries. I was so touched by the humble, faith-filled lives of the precious people that Bev and Rick introduced me to in the book! Each paints a beautiful picture of Jesus' power to transform a life from death and darkness to life and light.
These stories have touched me deeply. ​The illustrations are beautiful and help me imagine each person.

Thank you for writing the book! I hope you have a sequel in mind!

[Jenn Woodring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful character sketches

I very much enjoyed this book as it told stories of people who come from a primitive stone age culture and discover the author of life and are then transformed in to modern day super heroes of faith. The Zachary's are good writers that share in the lives of the people that they are writing the sketches on. I have some personal experience in Nepal andI do not doubt the miracles or the difficulties of the nepali believers in these compositions.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a delight to read this book...The short-story format was perfect. It gives the opportunity for historical background enriched by the real-life, present day accounts of the Nepali people. Each life portrayal gives testimony to the background work the authors humbly facilitated.

[Melody Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful group of testimonies to God’s power and miraculous love!