Walking With the Giants

By Warren Wiersbe

Warren Wiersbe was a pastor, writer and speaker who immersed himself in all things preaching – preachers, biographies of preachers, books of sermons, books on preaching, and more.

This book is the first of two books in which he includes short sketches of preachers.  This first volume includes 18 sketches of preachers.  And then there’s a Part 2 including classic books on the ministry.  Part 2 includes chapters such as:  Histories of Preaching, Books of Sermons, Christian Classics, Books about the Ministry, and more.  This Part 2 section is fine, but the biographical sketches are better.

I’m amazed at how much Wiersbe apparently read on preaching and preachers, especially considering the fact that he apparently re-read so many books.  Some he regularly re-read. 

It’s not a great volume, but it is a helpful volume for the student of preaching.

The Legacy of Faith: The Journey of Bishop Dr. Charles James Tsukuluza

By Charles Tsukuluza

This is a brief autobiography of Pastor Charles Tsukuluza.  WoodsEdge has partnered with Charles for probably 15 years or so.  Unfortunately, he went home to be with the Lord during Covid.

This is his story of his journey with the Lord.  He came from a very poor family in a village, and was raised by a Christian mother and dad.  At an early age he felt called to full-time ministry.  Along the way he got several degrees to make him more effective in ministry.  He was a man of faith, a man who loved God, a man who was committed to helping others love God.  He was an outstanding preacher.

He was our main partner in Malawi.  Our Missions Pastor, Tim Martin, especially worked closely with Charles, but so did I.  We both miss him and thank God for his legacy.

Paul: A Biography

By N.T. Wright 

N.T. Wright is widely considered the top New Testament scholar in the world today.  This is his biography of Paul.

The book is helpful, insightful, not great, but quite good.  If someone has a regular preaching or teaching ministry, I would recommend they read it.  There will be some specific insights woven throughout the book.  But more important is it will help the reader get a feel for Paul’s world.

Wright is so steeped in the world of the New Testament, he is so knowledgeable about Greek words, he is so helpful with cultural and historical background that the book is worth the time.

Night (audio)

By Elie Wiesel

This is the classic book on the Holocaust.  Elie Wiesel was sent to the concentration camps with his family during World War II.  His mother and younger sister were immediately thrown into the crematorium.  He and his dad survived the Nazi concentration camp, though his dad died shortly after the war on the journey home.

Wiesel went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for this book.

It is a brief book, but so powerful.  He is a writer, and the story could not be more poignant.

Wiesel would be considered the chief writer of the Holocaust survivors.  This is his most first and most famous work.

Building a Multiethnic Church (audio)

By Dr. Derwin L. Gray

Derwin Gray is a pastor in Charlotte, NC, an African American.  He has planted a thriving, multiethnic church.  He is a gifted pastor, speaker and writer.

Here is his basic charge:  The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of reconciliation.  Not only reconciliation between sinners and God, but reconciliation between sinners.  Ephesians 2 and other passages underscore that God in Jesus Christ has now reconciled Jew and Gentile to each other.  This is an expression of God’s heart to build one new people out of a diverse peoples.  In our world today this means multiethnic churches of diversity. 

He makes a solid case that we can do more, that the church in America can do more to combat racism and monolithic churches.  He calls these homogenous churches.  Though we have some notable exceptions, there are too many homogenous churches that do not reflect God’s heart for diversity and inclusion, nor the reality of heaven where there will be one people of God made up of every tribe, tongue, people and nation.

The last half of the book is not as strong.  He is simply going over matters for his church.  Books do have to be a certain length according to most publishers.  But the basic message of the book is strong.