Small Town, Big Miracle: How Love Came to the Least of These (Focus on the Family Books) [Paperback]

W. C. Martin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Focus on the Family Books | Publication Date: September 19, 2007

On one memorable day, while Bishop W. C. Martin and his wife, Donna, were in prayer together, God gave them a one-word message: “Adopt!” They were called to carry out literally James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans . . . in their affliction.”

Over the next five years, the Martins would adopt four kids, including two with special needs. And though they didn't make adoption a “cause” at that time, the members of their church of 200 soon caught the same vision. The church has now adopted 72 children and counting. Includes an 8-page black-and-white photo insert.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 1 edition (September 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589974433
• ISBN-13: 978-1589974432
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For more than 20 years Bishop W. C. Martin has served the community of Possum Trot, Texas, as pastor of Bennett Chapel. In 1997, he and his wife, Donna, adopted two children and began a miraculous adventure that has become one of the premier adoption stories in America. Bishop Martin and Donna have appeared on such programs as "Oprah," "Dateline NBC," and "Good Morning America" to tell this miraculous story. Martin's vision for the church in America is to encourage Christians toward caring for orphans so that no child will be left without a loving home.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and practical, October 23, 2007

By 

Robert Liparulo (author of Deadfall, Germ & Comes a Horseman) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Small Town, Big Miracle: How Love Came to the Least of These (Focus on the Family Books) (Paperback)

In just 139 pages, the authors manage to tell a fabulous story, introduce amazing kids and big-hearted adults, and stir at least in this reader a powerful desire to help young people be more than the troublemakers or losers they're labeled as being. One pastor in a dinky town inspired the townspeople to adopt seventy-two kids who otherwise would have been written-off for life. The result was a transformation in both the kids and the adoptive parents. God's grace touched and softened even the hardest hearts. The places from which mercy and compassion welled up are surprising and inspirational. Very well written, from its folksy tour of the town of Possum Trot to the helpful tips for people considering adopting, this is a wonderful book everyone should read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possum What?, April 13, 2008

By 

A. Reum (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Small Town, Big Miracle: How Love Came to the Least of These (Focus on the Family Books) (Paperback)

We'd all make fun of a place called Possum Trot and why not? What a silly name for a tiny little no-where place. But wait, this is just the type of place that Jesus shows up through people that believe Him and give their lives away in service to others.

Small Town, Big Miracle is a commendable effort to document the selfless acts of incarnational Christian living that we must all rise too. Too oft we sigh about the world's woes. "Who, oh who can come calm the storms of the lives of the broken in our midst"? Big Miracle, a Focus on the Family resource, offers the answer but I won't even make you read the entire book to find out the answer.

Its you and me and the Martin family and their loving friends and church family show us how.

Its easy to read and very encouraging. Adoptive families will see a model of stick-to-it examples in parenting tough kids. Others will see the great need of the orphans all around us and perhaps take the initiative to get involved.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, inspirational story, April 4, 2008

By 

Julie Melberg (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Small Town, Big Miracle: How Love Came to the Least of These (Focus on the Family Books) (Paperback)

This book is amazing. The Martins and their town and church have adopted the most needy children in Texas, and have built a beautiful community because of it. Their story is amazing, I found their website which tells more about the community. [...] I definitely recommend this book!