For those of us who cringe at the thought of mission, this book inspires and challenges us to exchange our fears for a true passion for mission. It draws on biblical principles and real life stories on our campuses and across the globe. The author, Lindsay Brown (former general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), has an enormous amount of experience working with students around the world. From this, he has compiled 'a modern day book of Acts'.

In just over 200 pages, he captures the sheer passion of students and student leaders. Not only does the book provide us with their stories, but also practical tips on various aspects of Christian student life. We are reminded of God's faithfulness in the past and his continuing faithfulness today by the impressive historical perspective through the chapters.

When reading through the brief factual accounts, it is impossible to avoid being captivated by the extent to which individuals are willing to go for the sake of the gospel. A good wake-up call for me was a Peruvian student's conviction of the truth contained in the gospel, and her resulting willingness to speak openly about Christ in the face of genuine threats. In a similar way, I was encouraged by the faith and courage shown by a student at Exeter University in deciding to change the carol service venue from a university hall to the football stadium!

In an effort to present a full and honest account of mission, the author doesn't hold back on the difficult aspects. To remind us that Christian service can be costly, he includes accounts of people whose decision to serve Christ resulted in the loss of comfort, and in some cases suffering and death. He expands on these examples to ensure that such difficulties encourage, rather than diminish, our willingness to serve Christ faithfully.

In my opinion, the book contained a balanced mix of student accounts and lessons derived from these. It also had substantial biblical referencing that served to authenticate each message. Having been strongly encouraged by the book, I would certainly recommend it to anyone with a passion for, or indeed a fear of, mission. God willing, it may spur you on to desiring Christ to be glorified in your life, and give you an idea of how much God can do through you.

Reviewed by:
Akintayo Adesokan
Preclinical student at St George's medical school, London