Book Review: 12 Faithful Men

Pastoral ministry, or any kind of ministry, is a joyous thing. Seeing people coming to Christ in faith and having their lives changed for the glory of God is amazing. Pastoral ministry can also be a hard one as well. Often at times there is discouragement and even persecution. There are many in church history who have endured hardships in their ministry.

Collin Hansen and Jeff Robinson have edited a book with a collection of pastors and theologians to address pastors in the past, who have had some difficulties in ministry. The book is titled, 12 Faithful Men: Portraits of Courageous Endurance in Pastoral Ministry. Some of the authors in this book include Robert Godfrey and Zack Eswine. Some of the pastors that are mentioned in the book include John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, John Newton, and Charles Spurgeon.

Each chapter addresses the suffering of each pastor and how God used those experiences to shape and mold them. This serves as a good reminder to us that God does use our suffering in many ways to conform us to the likeness of Christ. For those in ministry, this book will serve as a great reminder that suffering will come and God has not abandoned us. For those not in ministry, this should give you encouragement as well as you go through suffering.

As one who has experienced a lot of hardships in ministry, I was encouraged by this book and recommend to everyone in any form of ministry.

Thanks Baker Publishing for letting me review this book.