The Fuel & The Flame: Ignite your life & your campus for Jesus Christ

by Steve Shadrach, Paul Worcester

NEW AND COMPLETELY REVISED 2020 -- A four-year (or more!) window of time where a student can become and accomplish all that God has for them. This book will help you do just that as you discover a vision for your life, the kind of personal and spiritual foundation you need to build, and practical ways to share your faith, disciple others, and impact the world for Jesus Christ. The challenge? If you will fully submit yourself to the Lord to be the fuel, God will ignite your life and spread the flame of the gospel across your campus and world. So beware, what you hold in your hands may forever change you. You in? This is the totally revised and updated version of The Fuel and the Flame! This one was written with students in mind. While we expect that ministry staff or recent grads will come across it as well, our hope is that you—a college student—feel like this book was written just for you. The original version was published in 2003 and quickly became the go-to book for a myriad of campus-based and church-based college ministries around the U.S. and beyond. However, it is high time we reexamined everything for this new generation of students in light of the challenges and opportunities that lie before you. Our goal in this book is to focus on a few of the simple commands and modeling Jesus provided us. To be able to easily remember these commands, we will refer to them as EDM (evangelism, disciple-making, and mission mobilization). While we believe God is passionate about the pursuit of social justice, racial equality, and many other righteous causes in our day, those are outside of the scope of this book. We also know that every culture has its own set of ever-changing values, challenges, and injustices, and we are trying not to “Americanize” this material but instead make it easily adaptable in many other countries and languages. We hope that God uses the basics of EDM shared in this book to transform your everyday life and change your heart to be more like His own. So, if you want to walk with God more closely, have a vision for your life and ministry, develop a practical plan for you to lead others to Christ and make disciples, and to impact the world for the glory of God…you’ve come to the right place! Read this on your own. Or take a small group through it. Encourage your whole college ministry to use it as their semester training tool or summer project book. Not everything in here will work for you and your group, but—as long as you are seeking to be an obedient (and teachable!) disciple of Jesus Christ—a lot will!

Genres: Christian, Evangelism, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Discipleship

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2020

About the author

Dr. Steve Shadrach has a passion for developing laborers for Christ to reach the world. He has been involved with Campus Crusade, The Navs, and as head counselor with Kanakuk Kamps. He served as Pastor of Students and Missions at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, AR. He is the founder of Student Mobilization, which focuses on evangelizing and discipling college students in the U.S. and abroad, The Traveling Team, and The Bodybuilders ministry, seeking to "build up the body of Christ" through the development of seminars and publications.

Reviews

[Joe Nealis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books ever. This book pumped me up with vision to be an on-mission, disciple-making follower of Christ.

One of my favorite qualities of this book was how practical it was. The authors give so many simple next steps that it would be impossible to leave this book feeling like you don’t have the tools to make disciples.

Highly recommend, especially for college-aged students and young adults!

Also, as the leader of a college ministry, I’m having my student leader team read this book and they’ve loved it. It’s been really sweet to see God cultivate a passion to be more than just “small group leaders,” but to have a greater vision: to be a disciple-maker that makes a generational impact on their peers. I can’t wait to see the fruit it bears in their ministry this coming school year!

[Lindsey Barta · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I would encourage any college student following Jesus and anyone involved in ministry with college students to read this book. And probably any believer regardless of whether you engage with college student or not can apply many of the lessons and tools about discipleship, evangelism, and living a meaningful life fully devoted to Christ. Gave me a ton of ideas and inspiration about intentional discipleship especially!

[Steve Lindenmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the premier book on campus ministry. Written for the college student who is seeking to spiritually reproduce their life, this book is full of practical principles and helpful tools that all flow from a theologically rich exposition of Jesus’ ministry model. It is a great motivation to reach the campus in order to reach the world!

[Davis Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring and convicting. The authors do a great job of clearly explaining the Great Commission and its purpose in everyday life on the campus. It forces you to think of how you choose to spend your time when you could be laboring for the Kingdom. Would 100% recommend

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to any young Christian!

[Ross Manion · Rating 5 out of 5]

If post college me is a bum: make sure I reread this to remember college.

[Cole Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is solid! I’ve probably taken more notes and quotes from this book than any other that I’ve read. It’s very applicable and guides people (specifically college students) down the road towards following Jesus to the ends of the earth. It also has great content about how to disciple someone, how to follow up with a new believer, how to lead a Bible study, and how to challenge those you disciple to take up the baton and run with it themselves. It is great at vision casting and a “must read” for any college student that’s serious about fulfilling the Great Commission!

“Know this for sure: if you will give yourself as the fuel, God will ignite the flame for worldwide impact. You are responsible for reaching this generation of students. Join God in His mission, investing your life as a co-gatherer with Him and reaching people from every corner of the earth to spend eternity worshipping Christ around His throne.”

[Kyle Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading this book I realized that so many ideas and thoughts that I share with dudes that I hangout with have come from this book, and I just forgot what book they came from. Another thing I realized this second time around is that the endgame is always missions. I think a lot of times today missions has become the endgame of discipleship so implicitly that it almost becomes forgotten. I love how many times he says things like, “we make disciples SO THAT those disciples go to the ends of the earth. Love that.

[Emily Schoeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal resource for anyone following Jesus in college or working in college ministry. Honestly super practical to contextualize outside of college too for any young Christian!

[Hunter Oda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is in college ministry, ever was in college ministry, or cares about living a meaningful life should read this book.

[Anna Bartig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book. It called out a desire to live in light of the great Commission and to take evangelism a lot more seriously; also gives some great practical ways to make disciples.

[Zac Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical book on how to do College Ministry.

Not amazingly nuanced, it’s a lot of “if you do this, this and especially this, really really hard, God will work on your campus”

Obviously we should valuing laboring for our faith, and the wisdom of those who have good practices.

However, daily walk with Christ will trumps both of those. And that mindset quickly leads into numbers-based ministries (bad)

Best part- Intercession
I didn’t know how (or why) to intercede for those I am sharing the Gospel with, this book opened my eyes to that spiritual discipline

3.5/5 stars but I’m rounding it to four, because I think college students should read it

[Elly Hamby · Rating 4 out of 5]

practical principles and helpful tools for discipleship and college ministry! i also liked the chapter that covered corporate prayer meetings and the importance of praying as a church body - it’s been cool to see that incorporated into salt church !!

[Mitchell Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every College student must read this. It will ignite a fire in your belly for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please read it, share it, and disciple people who will disciple people.

[Humphrey Kutosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO RESERVES! NO RETREATS!

[McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read to get you hyped for Jesus in your college years.

Shadrach and Worcester have a fiery passion for reaching the college age group, and that comes across well in their writing. Their tone is a strong call to action for anyone who feels lukewarm in their walk or like they can’t or shouldn’t do anything to witness while in college.

Aside from the motivation, this book also includes a ton of useful information, from practical tips to fully fleshed out guides for how to disciple someone. I truly learned a lot, and I will probably end up referencing back to it from time to time.

One of my critical thoughts while reading was this—that there was way too much focus on your college years, as if there was no chance to have as much impact outside of and beyond college. I recognize that being in college gives you a great opportunity to witness to and disciple others, but it’s short-sighted to imagine that the great commission stops once you graduate. After some reflection however, I believe this focus was simply their attempt to relate to the average college student. I think the majority of college students have this view of college—that college is their entire life and their entire focus lies in the next four years on campus. Perhaps Shadrach and Worcester were simply trying to funnel that short-term, tunnel-vision feeling into something meaningful for the kingdom. I can’t fault them for that. But it should be remembered that our ministry continues throughout our lives.

Overall, a good read. It inspired me and gave me some of the tools to be bolder with my faith and pour into others.

[b k · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical with the first chapter because Steve shares his testimony and I wasn’t sure if it was just going to be another book of personal experiences but then it was packed with scripture and good explanations of the passages and amazing quotes from great theologians. I absolutely love the emphasis they’re placing on discipleship after sharing your testimony and walking with someone as they accept Christ. It just feels like it’s very practical and well written, scripturally based, and has a lot of good points to consider and put into practice.

The last three sections explore step by step methods of discipleship with real, practical ways of employing them in your college setting. I go to a Bible college right now, so this is t as applicable to me, but I’m about to be in a really secular college setting, and I feel like this book has prepared me well for that.

I also love the emphasis on living in the world while not being of it. There is heavy encouragement to spend time with believers and nonbelievers alike, as Christians aren’t called to hide away but to share their faith and love others. This is so needed, as the statistic I believe is that within three years of converting to Christianity Christians will end up dropping all of their non believing friends. The key is to be bold about your faith, no matter the circumstances. Don’t take the easy route of being bold in the safety of your friends who all believe the same thing as you, but enjoy the presence of all of the people God places in your life and bless the food in the Mexican restaurant when you go out to eat with them even if it makes them uncomfortable. Anyway, I digress.

[Kade Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read is essential for college students. The authors do an exceptional job of challenging you, yet providing incredible advise. This is the most practical read you could ask for. Highly recommend.

Quotes:
-Many students are one convo away from giving their life to Christ
-The simple habit of blocking out 15-30 min in prayer could be the most life-changing decision you will ever make
-Awkward convos change lives
-If God has already given us His marching orders right there in black and white, why are we waiting for an emotional experience to tell us what He really wants us to do?

[Faith Crosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing book for college ministry. Each chapter goes deep reminding us with scripture that the mission of God is worth it all. It teaches so much about the mission field that is colleges. I am so glad I finally finished this book and I will definitely be revisiting for the incredible tools for discipleship that a sprinkled throughout.

[Sarah Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of practical, scripture-based guidance for college students striving to seek first the kingdom of righteousness and make disciples on campus. Honestly made me energized and excited to go back to school and see how God will move!

[Kingslee]

A practical book on what discipleship making looks like for college students on campus. Recommend for anyone who needs an easy read on such a matter. Pretty simple but it’s the simple things that normally work the best !

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book every college student should read.

[Brandy Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains what it means to follow the great commission! A good book read, just wished there was more biblical references ! (Honestly maybe there was it took me a couple months to read though)

[Alex Dunkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic resource on college ministry and the vision a student should have for their life. I plan to use this for one on one discipleship relationships in the future.

[Ty Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idaho reference on page 125

[Emyle Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing amazing amazing. every college student should read this. great call to action with a heavy nations focus!

[Josh Hermanstorfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a truly amazing book. Every college student in the U. S. (dare I say the world?) needs to read this book. Truly, there is a greater purpose for every believer on a college campus. If you are lacking vision, simply open the pages to Fuel and Flame and allow the Holy Spirit to convict every ounce of your being. Steve and Paul truly did a wonderful job of presenting what Lordship can look like for every one of us. You will not start and finish this book unchanged. Deserving of the highest honor, this book will never ever leave my shelf. Except, of course, for the times when I will surely read and reread this book again. Buy one for yourself, then buy more for everyone you come across who needs to accept Jesus as Lord of their life and start truly working for the kingdom. Spectacular! This review does not even do it justice.

[Luke Lackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most comprehensive book on the necessity of following God in college, and the impact that can be made through it. A guide on any aspect of walking with Christ I could think of in college and various practical applications of their concepts with examples! It’s answered many questions of how to do this thing, praise God.

Third time reading it is the charm… continually challenged by different elements as I read it. Going into senior year, figuring out career and future, I must decide what will be the criteria and deciding factors. Will I continue the mission of God after college or will I let my obedience to the Great Commission end once my college time is done? Gotta stay faithful!

[Clayton Wagler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was okay. It had a lot of good points throughout on how to make an impact on a college campus, but nothing super crazy. The last section of the book warrants a good rating of this book though, in my opinion. It (the last section) ties together the ideas of making an impact on a college campus, developing a vision for reaching the nations, and how to bring those two things together. I personally found that to be a wonderful way to close the book. 3.5/5 stars