Empowered! Discovering Your Place in God's Story

Stuart Simpson

The first thing you need to know about this book is that it comes from an author with extensive mission experience. Not long ago, I heard a respected author and speaker say that they only read books from people who have lived what they are writing about. It's evident from this book that the author speaks from his own experience and life journey.

The book has three main parts:

- God's Story: A biblical picture of God's mission & kingdom, and how this has shaped, or not, society and the Church.

- Every Believer's Story: Through the Church, God calls, commissions and equips all His people for mission.

- Engaging with God's Story: A deeper look at finding God's specific purposes for your life and ministry.

The main theme that comes across from the book, and this is a major reason why you should read it, is that our individual calling doesn't begin with us, but with God and the outworking of His purposes. This is the key to an empowered and fulfilling life.

It's a very easy to read and practical book, with an appendix of tools to help you, including spiritual gifts questionaires, personality tests and study questions. This makes it a great workbook for anyone wanting to explore and work through God's call on their lives.

Reviewed by Mike Frith

Mike Frith is the Founding Director of OSCAR. Prior to starting OSCAR, he worked as a pilot/engineer with Mission Aviation Fellowship where he spent time living in the USA, France, Switzerland, Madagascar and Uganda. He has been involved in working with, supporting, training and resourcing cross-cultural workers for over 25 years. He is married to Cheryl and they have two grown up children, Joanna and Will. Mike is also General Secretary of COST, a trust that gives grants to mission volunteers.