Customer Reviews

Soul Journey

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Jacquelin Thomas' latest offering, Soul Journey, Journee Carter knows deep in her heart that the Lord has called her to be a preacher, just like her father. At age seven, she was preaching to her friends, dolls and stuffed animals. Her father, Reverend Theodore Carter believes that women have no place in the pulpit. For every scripture Reverend Carter quotes why Journee should not be a pastor, she is able to counter with a scripture that says she can. When Journee defies him and becomes the pastor of New Faith Baptist Church, the relationship between she and her father suffers.

Being the Pastor is difficult for Journee. Not only does she have to deal with church members who do not want a female pastor, but also her own demons. She is single and lonely. Kingston Lavery is a good-looking member who catches Journee's eye, and she wonders if he is the one God is sending her. Kingston knows of her interest in him and uses this information to try to make advances towards her, even though he is engaged to another. Other members also can see Journee's interest in Kingston, and this attraction, no matter how innocent could be the cause of her downfall when the disgruntled Assistant Pastor sets a trap for her.

Jacquelin Thomas composes a wonderful story, just in time for Father's Day, about a daughter's love for her father. Even though they have their ups and downs, their bond is strong and true. This story explores the old tradition of the Southern Baptist Churches that women should not be pastors It also sheds light on the difficulties of a pastor's life. There is more to being a pastor than just getting up on Sunday morning and preaching. Journee is a real woman with the same issues and dreams of other women. This is a very good book that I highly recommend.

Jeanette
Motown Review Book Club
APOOO BookClub

This story provides great insight concerning females in the ministry. It moves steadily making you want to quickly make it to the end.

Jacquelin's characters were real, not overdrawn everyday sinners as unfortunately some so-called Christian fiction does today.

This was a breath of fresh air in Christian fiction. She never missed the point that it is all about God's purpose, thankfully leaving out the typical drama.

The message behind this book for me was the emphasis on the ability of God to use whoever he wants to use to spread his gospel. If you know that you have God's calling on your life you need to do his will and not worry about what other people think. Even if it's your own father. This book flowed for me I appreciated how the author outlined the transformation of this female preacher from her childhood days of preaching in the back yard until God placed her in the pulpit.

Jacquelin Thomas has raised the roof with her new novel, SOUL JOURNEY. She has creatively dealt with a controversial subject matter about women in the pulpit and leaders in the church. Her book offers an opportunity for people to comfortably share their feelings , ideals, and the pro's and con's of women pastoring a church. The book is a very useful medium in allowing the readers to re-evaluate how one may choose to interpret their beliefs about who GOD calls to deliver HIS WORD. I read the book twice, and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more in a future novel about Journee Carter in the ministry.

I have to say that "Soul Journey" could easily be one of the best books that I've read this year. The book was highly recommended my a couple of friends of mine and I finally got around to reading it this week. I applaud Mrs. Thomas for telling such a touching story about a woman in the pulpit facing demons everyday. Reverend Pastor Journee Carter was one dedicated, strong, and unforgettable character. And this was definitely a reading journey worth taking because I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Barbara Joe-Williams

Author of "Dancing with Temptation"

When God called on you for his work, I don't think he cares if whether it's male or female. As long as his words can be spread, he can use anybody to spread it. It was an eye opener and I had no idea that people who called themselves CHRISTIANS have such a strong feelings about a woman being on the pulpit. People need to realize that this a new generation and a new century. Women can basically do anything these days. If it's God's will, it will happen.

Journee Carter, a young, single female, wants nothing more than to become the new head pastor of New Faith Baptist Church. After several intense meetings with the governing board of the church, her dream is finally realized. Journee's tenure is not without opposition; not only must she face ridicule and criticism from several members of her church, but also from the one person she least expects. Will Journee stand strong in her faith, or will she let opposition and temptation deter her from what she believes she was called to do?

SOUL JOURNEY was a wonderful, inspirational read. Although the storyline contradicts my beliefs, I was able to get beyond that and see the real message - standing strong for what you believe in. I commend Jacquelin Thomas for tackling a very controversial subject. She did so in a manner that had me cheering for Journee and wanting to strangle those who dared stand in her way.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I attended a reading recently at Barnes & Noble book store and for the first time, I met one of my favorite authors, Mrs. Jacquelin Thomas and a lot of other gifted authors. I've finally finished reading all the books I bought that day and I must say that they were all good. I always enjoy Jacquelin's work so I wasn't suprised when I loved this story abour Journee Carter and her ministerial struggles. This one kind of hit home with me, because my father was like Journee's father in this novel (only worse) and up until the day he died, he never accepted the fact that my mom was called into the ministry. But when you know God has a calling on your life, you have to stand strong anyway.

i would like to applaud the author of this book for bringing such a controversial subject to light. Being the daughter of a dynamic and anointed female pastor, I found this book to be very interesting. The story reveals the struggle , streotypes and lack of support many female ministers encounter as they move into ministry. It clearly reveals that God will use whom ever He chooses to deliver His Word, whether they are male, female, boy or girl. To all the aspiring future female ministers and to those who are on the battlefield for the Lord, Keep preaching the Word and Be encouraged!

Where do I begin? When I picked up this book I knew it was going to be a good read. The story grabs readers from the beginning and hold them until the end of the story. I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed. Mrs. Thomas is a good author and it also shows how every book doesn't have to have sex and curse words just to make the book good. Keep the christian books coming Thomas b/c I will keep buying. Keep up the work! As Always God Bless you!