BOOKS
The existence of NAAMC fuels a perpetual renaissance, generating an unmatched spiritual, intellectual, and social value. We integrate research with teaching, the arts with the biblical, and the
up-and-comer with the elite.
Please enjoy the list of books below. We pray that the author's words foster a thirst for even more creativity, conversation, and strategy in the cross-cultural missions.
Profiles of African-American Missionaries
“Profiles of African-American Missionaries features the lives and ministries of the great African-Americans who have gone to the world with the message of Christ. It is a collection of stories sharing the ministries of several African-American missionary pioneers from the 1700s to the present, dealing with all the social and ministry issues that they had to face here and abroad.
Readers will be inspired by the dedication and commitment of these great African-Americans, as they lived out God’s great commission to go into all the world and make disciples of all people. It will inspire and challenge all readers to greater personal involvement in God’s worldwide mission.”
Readers will be inspired by the dedication and commitment of these great African-Americans, as they lived out God’s great commission to go into all the world and make disciples of all people. It will inspire and challenge all readers to greater personal involvement in God’s worldwide mission.”
A Cross-Shaped Gospel: Reconciling Heaven and Earth, By Bryan Loritts
WARNING! This book could make your life messy!
Today's church is continually being confronted with the question, "What is the gospel?" Many churches answer this through strong exposition of biblical truth. Others answer with a focus on community engagement. But doesn't Christ call us to do both?
The covenant of salvation demands a radical re-patterning of relationships. Bryan Lorrits, a pastor in the heart of one of America's historically racially divided urban centers, seizes the opportunity to engage God, the church, and culture in ways that may challenge your beliefs, practices, and relationships.
A Cross-Shaped Gospel clearly articulates the vertical dimension of the Christian faith, as well as looking at the horizontal implications of salvation for growth, service, and community. It provokes readers to think about the implications of living out their faith. What does the gospel mean for issues of:
Political engagement?
Class distinctions?
Race Relations?
It is only by reaching upward that we can reach outward in power and with the proper motives, so let A Cross- Shaped Gospel help you in crafting and communicating a biblical philosophy of engaging God and others well!
Today's church is continually being confronted with the question, "What is the gospel?" Many churches answer this through strong exposition of biblical truth. Others answer with a focus on community engagement. But doesn't Christ call us to do both?
The covenant of salvation demands a radical re-patterning of relationships. Bryan Lorrits, a pastor in the heart of one of America's historically racially divided urban centers, seizes the opportunity to engage God, the church, and culture in ways that may challenge your beliefs, practices, and relationships.
A Cross-Shaped Gospel clearly articulates the vertical dimension of the Christian faith, as well as looking at the horizontal implications of salvation for growth, service, and community. It provokes readers to think about the implications of living out their faith. What does the gospel mean for issues of:
Political engagement?
Class distinctions?
Race Relations?
It is only by reaching upward that we can reach outward in power and with the proper motives, so let A Cross- Shaped Gospel help you in crafting and communicating a biblical philosophy of engaging God and others well!
African-American Experience in World Mission: A Call Beyond Community, By Vaughn Walston and Robert Stevens
Venture into the world of overseas missions from an African-American perspective. This collection of articles takes you deep into the history of missions in the African-American community. You will learn of the struggles to stay connected to the world of missions in spite of great obstacles. You will read of unique cultural experiences while traveling abroad. You will feel the heart for fulfilling the Great Commission - both in the African-American community and beyond.
A New Man: Missionary Journeys of an African American, by Hoise Birks
This autobiography is for God’s glory. Over the past twenty to thirty years, my wife Cynthia has encouraged me to record the life experiences that the Lord has allowed me to have for His glory. As she and I scroll back over my life, after I accepted Christ as my personal Savior in Fairbanks, Alaska, there is much to give God praise for. At the same time, our hearts’ desire is that this autobiographical glimpse of part of my life might be used to encourage and challenge other people—young people, older people—to give of themselves and their time and efforts to make Jesus Christ known to individuals that know Him not as their personal Savior.
In the course of being married for thirty-six years, Cynthia and I have talked many times about the experiences the Lord allowed me to have. Her enthusiasm and encouragement about these experiences, along with that of many friends has helped me to share my written testimony with others. Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to give a testimony or speak in a church, many have said, “Oh, my goodness. This should be in a book!”
I must admit that at first I did not sense the urgency, but I’m 78 years of age now, and the more I think about it, I am convinced that it would be wise to record what God has allowed me to do and accomplish by His grace. At 78 years of age, it’s really not over yet. My heart’s desire is to continue to serve Him until He takes my last breath.
My ministry, since I accepted the Lord, has been strongly oriented toward foreign missions, and of course, that takes in the whole world. But before I get into talking about foreign missions, I want to give a background of my life—where I was born and reared, where I went to school, and where, after joining the Air Force, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.
Hoise Birks, 2012
In the course of being married for thirty-six years, Cynthia and I have talked many times about the experiences the Lord allowed me to have. Her enthusiasm and encouragement about these experiences, along with that of many friends has helped me to share my written testimony with others. Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to give a testimony or speak in a church, many have said, “Oh, my goodness. This should be in a book!”
I must admit that at first I did not sense the urgency, but I’m 78 years of age now, and the more I think about it, I am convinced that it would be wise to record what God has allowed me to do and accomplish by His grace. At 78 years of age, it’s really not over yet. My heart’s desire is to continue to serve Him until He takes my last breath.
My ministry, since I accepted the Lord, has been strongly oriented toward foreign missions, and of course, that takes in the whole world. But before I get into talking about foreign missions, I want to give a background of my life—where I was born and reared, where I went to school, and where, after joining the Air Force, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.
Hoise Birks, 2012
The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity, By Thabiti M. Anyabwile
Who were Jupiter Hammon, Lemuel Haynes and Daniel Alexander Payne? And what do they have in common with Martin Luther King Jr., Howard Thurman and James Cone? All of these were African American Christian theologians, yet their theologies are, in many ways, worlds apart. In this book, Thabiti Anyabwile offers a challenging and provocative assessment of the history of African American Christian theology, from its earliest beginnings to the present. He argues trenchantly that the modern fruit of African American theology has fallen far from the tree of its early predecessors. In doing so, Anyabwile closely examines the theological commitments of prominent African American theologians throughout American history. Chapter by chapter, he traces what he sees as the theological decline of African American theology from one generation to the next, concluding with an unflinching examination of several contemporary figures. Replete with primary texts and illustrations, this book is a gold mine for any reader interested in the history of African American Christianity. With a foreword by Mark Noll.
The Disease of Racism: Rediscovering the Cure!, By Terry Stull
The Fellowship of the Suffering: How Hardship Shapes Us for Ministry and Mission, By Paul Borthwick and Dave Ripper
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings." Philippians 3:10 (ASV)
If we follow Jesus, we will experience pain. It comes with the territory. We might face hardship because of our Christian commitment, or we may have challenges just from living in a fallen world. Either way, Christians follow in the footsteps of our suffering Savior and participate in his suffering.
But that's not the whole story. Missionary Paul Borthwick and pastor Dave Ripper show how transformation through our personal pain enables us to minister faithfully to a hurting world. They candidly share about their own struggles and how they have seen God's kingdom advance through hardship and suffering. Though we naturally avoid suffering, Christians throughout church history have become powerful witnesses to Christ as a result of their brokenness.
Life is painful, but pain need not have dominion over us. Instead, it can propel us in missional solidarity with our suffering world. Come find comfort and renewed purpose in the fellowship of the suffering.
If we follow Jesus, we will experience pain. It comes with the territory. We might face hardship because of our Christian commitment, or we may have challenges just from living in a fallen world. Either way, Christians follow in the footsteps of our suffering Savior and participate in his suffering.
But that's not the whole story. Missionary Paul Borthwick and pastor Dave Ripper show how transformation through our personal pain enables us to minister faithfully to a hurting world. They candidly share about their own struggles and how they have seen God's kingdom advance through hardship and suffering. Though we naturally avoid suffering, Christians throughout church history have become powerful witnesses to Christ as a result of their brokenness.
Life is painful, but pain need not have dominion over us. Instead, it can propel us in missional solidarity with our suffering world. Come find comfort and renewed purpose in the fellowship of the suffering.
Going Global – Beyond the Boundaries: The Role of the Black Church in the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, By Carl F. Ellis
This book traces the history of the spiritual foundation laid by the pre-20th century African-American forefathers within global missions. It also explores how African-Americans must build upon that foundation today and diligently work to fulfill the mandate of Lord Jesus Christ.
Letters Across the Divide: Two Friends
A black minister and a white businessman candidly discuss the obstacles, stereotypes, and sins that inhibit interracial reconciliation. Provocative and honest.
The Lott Carey Legacy of African American Missions, By Leroy Fitts
Contains a biography of Dr. Wendell C. Somerville and a Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention History.
Making the Blind Man Lame: What Jesus Wouldn’t Do, By Dr. Michael Johnson
Making the Blind Man Lame serves two purposes. The first is a collection of our experiences as the first African American family on this particular mission field in Kenya. It gives a ‘fly on the wall’ description of the mishaps, misadventures, and mistakes we all make when we encounter new people and places.
Secondly it is about cultural and racial imperialism in Christian American missions. These characteristics are as innate to mission work as fallen leaves to autumn, but not nearly as pretty.
Now that I have your interest,or repelled you, let me add this. No one got the Father’s message perfect but the Son, and only because He is the perfect embodiment of the Word. The more Christ dwells in us, the better we can advance His kingdom and stop advancing our own culture and ethnicity.
The traditional African American church if left in its present state will become extinct as it loses its power and moral authority. We are choosing to live in the pain of the past, rather than helping others who are living in present pain.
This book is an attempt to personalize my experience in missions as an American of African descent. I believe that racism is just one manifestation of cultural imperialism. It continues to be one of the most challenging and unrecognized hindrances to advancing the Gospel of Christ across cultures. Most American mission sending agencies are white or Anglo-Saxon-European in both their administrative and operational capacities. This is not by chance-- rather by choice.
People of African origin in particular were excluded from consideration, as segregation and racial inequality were the norms of society and flowed quite naturally into the recruiting and employment processes of the agencies. These issues will never be completely resolved. However, the American Christian church as a whole has done very little to acknowledge that reconciliation is even necessary. No one can preach the Gospel of reconciliation when they have not practiced reconciliation.
Racism, prejudice, and suspicion are all still issues in American missions. However, neither the black or white church will admit this. Black churches are slow to accept white mission agencies, due to suspicions from both past and current practices. Many white mission agencies have not actively recruited from black churches, since they continue to view people of color as incapable or unapproachable.
If we Christians want to preach about the God of peace, and the peace of God, we must pursue peace with our fellow man, whether we be the offended or the offender. Our failure to do so allows us to export our religious traditions as though they are genuine Christianity. This anemic show of religion when transfused into other cultures further handicaps societies and cultures we claim we are called to help. We literally make the blind man lame, and we do it in Christ’s name.
I have found in my research and personal experiences that the expectations and longings of the recipient culture have often impeded, seduced and in many other ways played a negative impact on the roles missionaries play. Yes indeed, we are often invited to help, just as long as we don’t interfere with the behind-the-scenes agenda of our hosts. Things can get both covertly and overtly hostile.
I have a great tendency to be redundant and repeat myself in this book. Did I just do that?
Hence, much of what has delayed its publication is my long-windedness. So the table of contents is there for you to pick and choose from among any of the provocative titles. I hope to provoke thought. I know I will provoke some anger and maybe some tears and laughter. I have tried to not take myself too seriously, but that is hard. So I would advise that you start with those chapters that allow a close look at my own pride and prejudice first. After all, if I can’t genuinely laugh at myself, I dare not pretend to cry with others.
Secondly it is about cultural and racial imperialism in Christian American missions. These characteristics are as innate to mission work as fallen leaves to autumn, but not nearly as pretty.
Now that I have your interest,or repelled you, let me add this. No one got the Father’s message perfect but the Son, and only because He is the perfect embodiment of the Word. The more Christ dwells in us, the better we can advance His kingdom and stop advancing our own culture and ethnicity.
The traditional African American church if left in its present state will become extinct as it loses its power and moral authority. We are choosing to live in the pain of the past, rather than helping others who are living in present pain.
This book is an attempt to personalize my experience in missions as an American of African descent. I believe that racism is just one manifestation of cultural imperialism. It continues to be one of the most challenging and unrecognized hindrances to advancing the Gospel of Christ across cultures. Most American mission sending agencies are white or Anglo-Saxon-European in both their administrative and operational capacities. This is not by chance-- rather by choice.
People of African origin in particular were excluded from consideration, as segregation and racial inequality were the norms of society and flowed quite naturally into the recruiting and employment processes of the agencies. These issues will never be completely resolved. However, the American Christian church as a whole has done very little to acknowledge that reconciliation is even necessary. No one can preach the Gospel of reconciliation when they have not practiced reconciliation.
Racism, prejudice, and suspicion are all still issues in American missions. However, neither the black or white church will admit this. Black churches are slow to accept white mission agencies, due to suspicions from both past and current practices. Many white mission agencies have not actively recruited from black churches, since they continue to view people of color as incapable or unapproachable.
If we Christians want to preach about the God of peace, and the peace of God, we must pursue peace with our fellow man, whether we be the offended or the offender. Our failure to do so allows us to export our religious traditions as though they are genuine Christianity. This anemic show of religion when transfused into other cultures further handicaps societies and cultures we claim we are called to help. We literally make the blind man lame, and we do it in Christ’s name.
I have found in my research and personal experiences that the expectations and longings of the recipient culture have often impeded, seduced and in many other ways played a negative impact on the roles missionaries play. Yes indeed, we are often invited to help, just as long as we don’t interfere with the behind-the-scenes agenda of our hosts. Things can get both covertly and overtly hostile.
I have a great tendency to be redundant and repeat myself in this book. Did I just do that?
Hence, much of what has delayed its publication is my long-windedness. So the table of contents is there for you to pick and choose from among any of the provocative titles. I hope to provoke thought. I know I will provoke some anger and maybe some tears and laughter. I have tried to not take myself too seriously, but that is hard. So I would advise that you start with those chapters that allow a close look at my own pride and prejudice first. After all, if I can’t genuinely laugh at myself, I dare not pretend to cry with others.
One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love, By John Perkins
Dr. Perkins’ final manifesto on race, faith, and reconciliation
We are living in historic times. Not since the civil rights movement of the 60s has our country been this vigorously engaged in the reconciliation conversation. There is a great opportunity right now for culture to change, to be a more perfect union. However, it cannot be done without the church, because the faith of the people is more powerful than any law government can enact.
The church is the heart and moral compass of a nation. To turn a country away from God, you must sideline the church. To turn a nation to God, the church must turn first. Racism won't end in America until the church is reconciled first. Then—and only then—can it spiritually and morally lead the way.
Dr. John M. Perkins is a leading civil rights activist today. He grew up in a Mississippi sharecropping family, was an early pioneer of the civil rights movement, and has dedicated his life to the cause of racial equality. In this, his crowning work, Dr. Perkins speaks honestly to the church about reconciliation, discipleship, and justice... and what it really takes to live out biblical reconciliation.
He offers a call to repentance to both the white church and the black church. He explains how band-aid approaches of the past won't do. And while applauding these starter efforts, he holds that true reconciliation won't happen until we get more intentional and relational. True friendships must happen, and on every level. This will take the whole church, not just the pastors and staff.
The racial reconciliation of our churches and nation won't be done with big campaigns or through mass media. It will come one loving, sacrificial relationship at a time. The gospel and all that it encompasses has always traveled best relationally. We have much to learn from each other and each have unique poverties that can only be filled by one another. The way forward is to become "wounded healers" who bandage each other up as we discover what the family of God really looks like. Real relationships, sacrificial love between actual people, is the way forward. Nothing less will do.
We are living in historic times. Not since the civil rights movement of the 60s has our country been this vigorously engaged in the reconciliation conversation. There is a great opportunity right now for culture to change, to be a more perfect union. However, it cannot be done without the church, because the faith of the people is more powerful than any law government can enact.
The church is the heart and moral compass of a nation. To turn a country away from God, you must sideline the church. To turn a nation to God, the church must turn first. Racism won't end in America until the church is reconciled first. Then—and only then—can it spiritually and morally lead the way.
Dr. John M. Perkins is a leading civil rights activist today. He grew up in a Mississippi sharecropping family, was an early pioneer of the civil rights movement, and has dedicated his life to the cause of racial equality. In this, his crowning work, Dr. Perkins speaks honestly to the church about reconciliation, discipleship, and justice... and what it really takes to live out biblical reconciliation.
He offers a call to repentance to both the white church and the black church. He explains how band-aid approaches of the past won't do. And while applauding these starter efforts, he holds that true reconciliation won't happen until we get more intentional and relational. True friendships must happen, and on every level. This will take the whole church, not just the pastors and staff.
The racial reconciliation of our churches and nation won't be done with big campaigns or through mass media. It will come one loving, sacrificial relationship at a time. The gospel and all that it encompasses has always traveled best relationally. We have much to learn from each other and each have unique poverties that can only be filled by one another. The way forward is to become "wounded healers" who bandage each other up as we discover what the family of God really looks like. Real relationships, sacrificial love between actual people, is the way forward. Nothing less will do.
One Day In The Life: A Missionary’s Memoirs, By Brenda Fuller
The miraculous exploits of a single female pioneer missionary that through God did what everyone kept saying she couldn't do; from refusing to die to refusing to ever take no for an answer. A book that will take the limits off of your life and how you view your potential as well.
Children's Books
Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A., by Arlisha Norwood
Meet extraordinary black heroes throughout history―biographies for kids ages 8 to 12
You’re invited to meet ancient Egyptian rulers, brilliant scientists, legendary musicians, and civil rights activists―all in the same book! Black Heroes introduces you to 51 black leaders and role models from both history and modern times. This black history book for kids features inspirational biographies of trailblazers from the United States, Egypt, Britain, and more.
Discover where in the world they lived, and what their lives were like growing up. Learn about the obstacles they faced on the way to making groundbreaking accomplishments. You’ll find out how these inspirational figures created lasting change―and paved the way for future generations.
You’re invited to meet ancient Egyptian rulers, brilliant scientists, legendary musicians, and civil rights activists―all in the same book! Black Heroes introduces you to 51 black leaders and role models from both history and modern times. This black history book for kids features inspirational biographies of trailblazers from the United States, Egypt, Britain, and more.
Discover where in the world they lived, and what their lives were like growing up. Learn about the obstacles they faced on the way to making groundbreaking accomplishments. You’ll find out how these inspirational figures created lasting change―and paved the way for future generations.
What's Up with My History Book?, By Eddy Paul Thomas
Enjoy storytime with Thompson Woods Trail! Imagine if children grew up knowing their history? What if they knew how amazing they and their ancestors truly are? Explore some of the amazing people throughout Black history through the eyes of a child.
Why Can't I Just Have It?, By Eddy Paul Thomas
Enjoy storytime with Thompson Woods Trail! Imagine if children grew up with a working knowledge of how to manage money. What if they not only knew how to save, give, spend, and invest at a young age, but also learned how to become an entrepreneur as well? The impact of learning these skills could have a lasting impact for generations to come!
Skin Like Mine, By Latashia M. Perry
From the Creators of Hair Like Mine, Skin Like Mine, the second book in the Kids Like Mine Series, is a fun, easy-to- read for beginners as well as advanced readers. An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry.