One of the most exciting projects for me of this past year has been my newest book, In Desert Places. The subtitle—what happens when unlikely people in unlikely places encounter the presence of God—is actually a summary of what I have firsthand seen God do here in the desert.

Twenty-five years ago, God led our family to a small, but growing, city on the backside of the desert. By all outer appearances, this struggling church with just a handful of members was an unlikely place for spiritual growth.

When we moved to the desert, however, I found my attention especially drawn to stories in Scripture that speak of desert places. And I noticed, that God worked some of His most memorable miracles in these places that appear unlikely to us. (more…)

One hundred seventy years ago this month David Livingstone sailed for the continent of Africa. As I read the biography of Livingston this summer, I was struck by the appropriateness of the book’s subtitle: One who followed Christ. As a missionary-explorer, Livingstone’s life was spent carrying the Gospel into the deep interior of the dark continent of Africa.

Livingstone preached the Gospel in hundreds of African villages, and he saw some fruit from his labor. He couldn’t have known, however, of the fruit that would come in the generations to follow. The missionaries on African soil today are there largely because of the sacrifices Livingstone made to follow Christ through unknown paths, staggering on through fever, loneliness, and even abandonment. (more…)

For years I’ve wanted to write a book for deacons. The deacons who serve our church have been a help to me—and to our entire church family—beyond what words can describe. Their ministry is vital, and its intricacies are definitely worthy of a book.

The Ministry of a Baptist Deacon is that book—just back from press. It is the compilation of years of lessons given at deacons orientations and meetings. It is designed to be a handbook for local church deacons, equipping them as servant leaders in the church. (more…)

What do you love? What consumes your heart and your life? Whatever your answer—this is your passion.

Christ loves the church. He loved it so much that He gave His life for it. And He has commissioned the church to bring His divine plan of redemption into all the world by planting more churches. This is God’s passion.

I’m thrilled that my friend, Dr. Bud Calvert, has written God’s Passion about this very topic. Dr. Calvert is a church planter, and his church has sent out dozens of church planters. He writes on a subject with which he is well acquainted, making this manual on church planting a rich mine of truth and practical help. (more…)

The title of this book caught my eye while I was walking past a bookstore in the airport this summer. I purchased a copy for myself and also sent one to three of my spiritual mentors, asking them to read it and mark anything they felt should be underscored in my heart and life. Reading the book and getting their feedback was a tremendous help to me.

Leading on Empty reminds us that, as spiritual leaders, we must periodically refill our own tanks to be able to continue to give to others. Our determination to live with an eternal purpose and make every moment count for the Lord can too easily shift into a stress addiction, where we are driven forward by fleshly momentum.

This book charts a course to overcome stress addiction and burnout, and it also provides wise counsel for avoiding such dangers. It encourages readers to live with eternal values in mind, but to do so from a tank that is regularly replenished by God’s Spirit and to set their course through wise, purposeful choices.