The Unexpected Journey: Conversations with People Who Turned from Other Beliefs to Jesus [Hardcover]

Thom S. Rainer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 2005

Following Jesus is a journey none of the people in this book ever expected to take. Why did they? What difference did it make? The book you're holding is dangerous. If you read it, you'll see that God is still active in saving even the most unexpected people: An atheist woman who viewed Christians as 'idiots.' A married couple high in the leadership ranks of the Mormon church. An African-American man who became a Black Muslim out of hatred for white Christians. You'll be amazed, moved, and encouraged as you read their compelling stories and the stories of nine others who made The Unexpected Journey from non-Christian beliefs to faith in Jesus Christ. You'll rediscover the power of the gospel. You might even be emboldened to tell others about Christ yourself. Unexpected journeys beyond * Mormonism * Judaism * Hinduism * Atheism * Jehovah's Witness * Agnosticism * Wiccan Paganism * Buddhism * Unitarianism * Astrology * Islam * Satanism

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Unexpected Journey Conversations with People Who Turned from Other Beliefs to Jesus Dramatic first-person accounts of how non-Christians, agnostics, and atheists who believed strongly in other gods came to faith in Christ. Despite the failures and foibles of the church in reaching out with the gospel, thoughtful people from all sorts of backgrounds and beliefs still turn from other faiths to follow Jesus. Thom Rainer and his wife, Nellie Jo, personally interviewed Christians who once followed the paths of Mormonism, Judaism, Hinduism, atheism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Wicca, agnosticism, Buddhism, Islam, Unitarianism, New Ageism, and even Satanism. The Unexpected Journeyuses a flowing, conversational format to tell twelve fascinating conversion stories. Speaking in the first person, the interviewees share the struggles, hurdles, and open doors God used to bring them from other faiths to Christianity. With respectful honesty, they share both their good and bad experiences with Christians and churches and how those encounters influenced their journey to faith. Each chapter includes not only the individual’s story, but also a section highlighting and explaining their former non-Christian belief system. Study questions at the end of the chapters enable groups to use the book to gain insights into evangelism and the variety of spiritual journeys that people travel on today. The Unexpected Journeyreveals how the Lord works through Christians in order to bring all types of people into the kingdom of God no matter what path they are on.

About the Author

Thom S. Rainer (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He was founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and, Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His many books include Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, The Unexpected Journey, and Breakout Churches. SPANISH BIO: Thom S. Rainer es presidente de Church Central (Iglesia Central) www.ChurchCentral.com y decano fundador de la Escuela Billy Graham de misiones, evangelismo e iglecrecimiento en el Seminario que ha servido como pastor y pastor interino en catorce iglesias y es presidente de Rainer Group Counsulting. Es autor de numerosos libros incluyendo Surprising Insights from the Unchurches and Proven Ways to Reach Them y The Unchurched Next Door. El D. Rainer y Nellie Jo, su esposa, residen en Louisville, Kentucky. Tienen tres hijos adultos. Puede comunicarse con el Dr. Rainer en www.RainerGroupcom

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310257417
• ISBN-13: 978-0310257417
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thom S. Rainer (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He was founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His many books include Transformational Church, Essential Church, and Simple Church.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple truth...., November 30, 2005

By 

K. Binkley (Rochester Mn) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unexpected Journey: Conversations with People Who Turned from Other Beliefs to Jesus (Hardcover)

The evangelistic efforts of Christians today are crippled because of a fear of failure, or rejection, or incompetence. Consequently, rather than struggle with weak unclear efforts, often, there is none.

Thom S. Rainer's book "The Unexpected Journey: Conversations with People Who Turned from Other Beliefs to Jesus" serves to rebuild the confidence of would be evangelists. Rainer accidentally (?) reminds the reader that God still uses ordinary means to get the attention of sinners who need a relationship with Christ. Evangelistic programs, special outreaches, and orchestrated church campaigns are not the engines driving the unconverted to seek Christ.

So what is? Thom uses his classic Rainer analysis to tell a dozen stories of conversions to Christ. The book encourages readers to stay in the lives of others and share the love of Christ. No special program, no magic words, just faithful learning, living, and sharing the love of God reaches those who do not know him.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Transforming Power of Jesus Christ, March 29, 2006

By 

Jane E. Rockley (Santa Ana, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unexpected Journey: Conversations with People Who Turned from Other Beliefs to Jesus (Hardcover)

I'm trying to think about how to word my review. I'm afraid I will not be able to do this book justice. The bible says that God will call people from every nation, kindred and tribe. Oh yes, He has. Atheists, witches, agnostics, people lost in confusing beliefs that lead nowhere...God found them all. They were each touched in different ways and each uniquely found their way to Jesus Christ. The transforming power of His love, His word and His promise is evident in each of the twelve stories. These people are real and speak their testimonies in plain language. The book is not preachy, contrived, patronizing or full of treacle, just straightforward stories of salvation. Reading each chapter made my heart soar and my lips praise God for His love and mercy. The author outlines, in each chapter, the basics of what the beliefs of each person prior to their conversion to Christianity entailed. Very helpful. I felt as though I was on along on each "journey" as they found their way to Jesus. Thank you for this.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful book about the power of Christ, February 20, 2007

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Unexpected Journey: Conversations with People Who Turned from Other Beliefs to Jesus (Hardcover)

Unexpected Journey by Thom S. Rainer is the story of 12 people of other faiths who turned to Christianity. Rainer and his wife interview each of these new Christians about what their former beliefs were and how they came to find Christ. The interviews are pretty straightforward other than the occasional awkward interruption by Rainer putting himself into the story. The stories are riveting looks inside faiths we don't normally hear about. Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Hinduism and Buddhism converts are expected. The Wiccan, astrologer, and Satanist are fascinating. Each convert also gives advice on how to speak to someone of their former faith and help them find Jesus the way they did. The advice in every case is the same: Show Christ's love. Judgmental behavior and accusations don't work; only acceptance and love can show another person what being a Christian truly is. This lesson is pounded home again and again, but it can't be repeated enough. Pundits making pronouncements about the morality or goodness aren't a very good example of Christianity. It's people on a individual basis who can make a difference. The book only stumbles when Rainer tries to give unnecessary ambience to the stories. Reading about his troubles finding restaurants and how friendly the waitress was isn't necessary and only detracts from the power of these stories. My one other complaint is that I doubt anyone who isn't already a Christian will pick up this book and be swayed by it, but the advice inside for Christians is well-taken.