Title: Becoming Jesus People: Volume 2
Author: Carissa Gobble
Series: Becoming Jesus People, book 2
Major Themes: Jesus People, Revivals, Oregon
Synopsis: The stories of 19 different people illustrate how God worked to bring revival in Eugene, Oregon in the early 1970s.
Several months ago, I requested a review copy of Becoming Jesus People. I enjoyed reading it, and even started to read it aloud to my family. Summer came, though, and we didn’t have time to finish reading it together. Recently, Carissa Gobble asked if I would like to read Volume 2. Without any hesitation, I said yes. Then, I realized, after she sent it, that I probably wouldn’t have time to read and review it before the due date. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to mind a delay. I took it along on the road trip our family just went on, and read the first few chapters aloud while we relaxed in cabins at a couple of different holiday parks along our way. After we got home, I finally had time to read the rest.
Publisher’s description:
Caught by the police in Communist Poland during the Cold War, stockpiling weapons in the California mountains, taking drugs over international borders, loading bombers during the Vietnam War, embarking on a solo road trip west to “find herself.” What do these true adventures have to do with Christianity? Everything! You will find intrigue and inspiration to your faith in every chapter, as each eyewitness tells how they were supernaturally pulled out of rebellion or ambivalence into surrender to Jesus.
Just like the first volume, this book will encourage your soul as you read how God met each person where they were at and drew them into a vital relationship with His son. These are the origin stories of those who have become leaders in the faith today, whether in small or large spheres of influence. Each chapter showcases how they navigated an explosive revival in the college town of Eugene, Oregon in the 1970s during the historic Jesus People Movement. They were transformed under the dynamic shepherding of Pastor Roy Hicks Jr, who led with his invitation to “come as you are, to Jesus.” You will find yourself wanting to read just one more story!
My thoughts:
Becoming Jesus People: Volume 2 is just as inspiring as the first volume. It’s amazing to read these true accounts of how people met Jesus and turned their lives over to His control. The sheer variety of backgrounds from which people came makes this book a page-turner, regardless of what God did in their lives. I loved reading about how people’s lives were changed by their encounter with God. Generally, in these accounts, that happened in the context of Liberation House or Faith Center, often when a person had “happened” to meet someone from there or just wandered into one of those places. Often, they would find love and acceptance like they hadn’t found anywhere else before, and God’s love would change them miraculously. Read this book if you want to be inspired by what God did in Oregon in the 1970s and what He can still do today! I am hoping I can find time to read the rest of the stories aloud to my family before too long—in both Volume 1 and Volume 2.
One topic that came up a few times in different stories was speaking in tongues. Because that is a controversial topic among Christians, I thought I’d mention it. I appreciated the way it was done here; they made sure there was an interpretation for the tongue, as is commanded in the Bible.
Another thing I might mention is the number of typos I noticed. Grammar and punctuation are not that great in this book. I was able to enjoy the book anyway, but if it had been much worse I’m not sure I would have been able to handle it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapter 1: Stockpiling weapons, using LSD, drug-induced hallucinations. Chapter 2: Bullying. Chapter 5: Drunkenness. Chapter 10: Abortion. Chapter 12: Abortion. Chapter 17: Using LSD. Chapter 19: Drug dealing, suicidal thoughts, what the hell, what the heck.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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