Could God use ordinary me to change the world?
In the middle of diapers, dishes, papers, or presentations, deep down, we long to live a life of purpose, with a bit of adventure. But if we do something, we think we have to do everything—and do it in Africa. In Across the Street and Around the World, Jeannie Marie shows us we can change the world right where we already live, work, play, and … change the world right where we already live, work, play, and study—by learning to grow genuine, spiritually deep friendships with people from other countries, cultures, and faiths.
In a refreshing “you-can-do-this-too” style, Marie leads us by the hand with clear steps, try-it sections, and beautifully crafted prayers. She gently guides us away from common cultural missteps, so we can offer Jesus in a winsome way, while honoring culture, faith, and family. With confidence, courage and compassion, we’ll start small, start soon, and start somewhere we already are, by first going across the street—which just may lead us around the world!
“Jeannie Marie shares a lifetime of invaluable experience with the rest of us. Her book is a treasure trove of insights and practical resources for engaging the nations in our own backyard and to the ends of the earth!” —David Garrison, author of Church-Planting Movements and Wind in the House of Islam
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Jesus said it plainly: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” How do we live this out in our ordinary lives? The world is changing. More than ever God is bringing people from other countries and cultures into our neighborhoods, workplaces and schools. But we often don’t know how to start building meaningful relationships with them. Author, Jeannie Marie shows us that following Jesus’ final instructions does not have to be impossible or hard as we might imagine
This is a must read for Christians everywhere! The author shares biblical knowledge, personal stories and advice on how to interact and connect with those in our neighborhoods. We should all be following Jesus advice and be the hands and feet and be disciples that go to the end of the earth. As I prepare for a mission trip to Africa, my eyes will be open more so as I have opportunities to interact with non-believers. Go buy yourself a copy of the book.
With the exception of the Bible of course, Jeannie’s book had me inspired and really tuning in to listening how God was moving around me. As a travel-centric, nomadic type individual, I have been inspired to plan survey trips to unreached nations in the future (God-willing). Every year my family and I go on short term mission trips and I learned through this book that while they are valuable, we could be spending our resources on a nation that is unreached. God spoke to me through this book and the text jumped off the page. I do not believe that God laid it on my heart to pick up and read this book my happenstance. If you are to read one book this year, this is it!
This book changed my perspective about other cultures. I cried with Jeanne early in the book as she struggled to let go of her home furnishings. But, she inspired me to learn to look at the people around me and see them as beautiful people who are loved by God. It helped me see how simple it is to look for ways to reach out to them and have a part in bringing the Kingdom of God into all the cultures of the world. I HIGHLY recommend this book for every person.
This book is not only informative and challenging, it is fun to read! The author is a great story teller, sharing her own journey in developing a heart for the nations, including her struggles and small, progressive steps of faith. She gives lots of practical ideas of how to engage people from other cultures, with “tips,” “habits,” and “try it” exercises scattered throughout. She shares from years of experience, starting as a child of missionary parents, then reaching out in her city to refugees, serving as a missions pastor, living on the field, and now acting as a consultant and strategist for churches and missions organizations. It is an honest and informative book that invites the reader on an adventure with God. It is not just for “goers,” but for everyone in the body of Christ, and anyone that desires to cross cultural boundaries with intentional love. As believers, it challenges us to look beyond our church walls; to be salt and light in our community and the world. If you are a “goer,” you will benefit so much from the chapters that talk about wrestling, dreaming and surrendering. No matter where you are on your journey, this book will challenge and inspire you to have greater faith and courage!
Jeannie Marie’s book is full of interesting stories and useful insights into how to take steps toward more intentional living. I find myself recommending it to all of my friends!
In my role as church engagement director for Frontiers, I have been waiting 30 years for this book. It is a starter kit for any family, small group, church, anybody who wants to reach out to someone who is not of their “kind.” The book is filled with funny stories and amazing stories of the work of God. As you follow along you will find your place in God’s mission whether it is local or at the ends of the earth. The book will give you confidence that you can do it.
Many of us are looking for good tools to prepare our friends for something like the Perspectives course … and to help Perspectives alumni to share their vision with their circles of influence. This book is a great new tool for the toolbox. Jeannie Marie (a Perspectives instructor) has done us a great service by bundling many insights and resources in a user-friendly, readable book and in a companion website that includes links to brief videos. (Check out the book and the whole package.) I ordered one copy for myself … and then 50 more copies to share with friends.
Jeannie shares from her extensive personal experiences to highlight principles that are important for anyone who wants to see Jesus exalted among the nations. She simplifies concepts that authors such as NT Wright and Dallas Willard write whole books about and highlights important elements for the lay reader like me to ingest.
She both casts a high bar for the reader but also shares simple steps on how to get there. This is a great read for pastors, people who want to move overseas themselves (“goers”), families of potential goers, and for people who are just curious how they can better love and serve their international neighbor.
In my world I have spoken with countless people who are trying to figure out if they are called to serve Jesus at the other end of the earth. Their usual criteria for discerning this important question is a short-term mission trip. Jeannie Marie has given all such people a wonderful gift in Across the Street and Around the World. With interesting and compelling stories, she offers steps along the discernment path and puts short-term trips into context (they don’t stand alone). Every Christ-follower who is abandoned to His Kingdom needs to read this book. And even those who are not sure if such abandonment is a good idea. You will be won over by Jeannie’s winsome yet uncompromising message.
Wow, Jeannie Marie’s book is so easy to read! With her gentle encouragement, I believe I could start a conversation about Jesus with someone who has yet to discover His grace and love. Jeannie Marie points out that Jesus was a refugee (page 50) and this gives us a great talking point with others, whom she refers to as “the Nations.” I am learning and gaining confidence that sharing the gospel of Christ is important and not as scary as I thought. Thank you JM for this gift of encouragement!
Two VERY important people in my life encouraged me to buy Jeannie’s book. So I did so. When I started reading I realized another SUPER important person in my life wrote an endorsement for the book and it was Jeannie’s Pastor! So I read the book, then got the chance to meet her and get some autographed copies. Jeannie is just about as normal and everyday American as you can get and so I am….lots of things that need to be done and lots of responsibilities but what about the least and the lost? What about all the needs in the world? Jeannie sets in motion ways that very real people can take powerful steps to make a difference in their own neighborhood, their city and in the uttermost places of the earth. Make the book an experience and not just a “read.” Your life will appreciate it.
Compared to other books on missions, the colorful cover and Jeannie’s welcoming tone can make this book seem light and breezy, but, in fact, it’s full of substance. Jeannie knows her stuff.
The basic purpose of the book is to provide a roadmap of sorts for someone to get from being curious about missions to actually making it to the field. Because there’s a lot to cover, the book (in general) prioritizes breadth over depth, but there is A LOT of breadth! At each step in the journey, Jeannie gives you a lot to think about.
Things I appreciated about the book were:
* It’s very actionable. Jeannie doesn’t just talk theory, but pulls from her own experience and does an excellent job of breaking down how she went through each phase in her journey to the field.
* The author’s tone and writing style. She comes across as a normal person. She has a lot the same thoughts, doubts, and reservations that I think most of us have, but she still made it to the field. It makes getting there feel a lot more doable.
* Good storytelling. Sometimes I force myself through a book because of the value I perceive I’ll get from it. That wasn’t the case here. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I think the plentiful use of stories and anecdotes was a big factor why. It was a fun read.
* The Grow to Go Test in the back. If you’re serious about going, take the test and use the results like a checklist. It’s not perfect, but it will give you a road map to work from.
Overall, I think this is a great addition to the variety of books on missions out there. Its style will be sure to appeal to people a lot of other books won’t, and the function it serves is unique in its genre.
Jeannie Marie’s book, Across the Street and Around the World, is filled with engaging stories, practical tips and wonderful insights that we can put into practice today wherever we are! I especially appreciated the “Try it!” sections and reflection questions. It’s a good reminder that we are to do something with what we’re learning vs only gain head knowledge. I highly recommend it!