Jan 23rd 2022 Posted by davidkitz in book review National Chair, The Word Guild
This compact, 137-page volume delivers a powerful punch.
“God’s Firestarters” is about ordinary people who were ignited with passion for the Lord, and in turn, they set scores—and in some cases millions of others—on fire with the love and power of the gospel message.
The book is a compilation of twenty short biographies of Christian leaders who had an extraordinary impact on their generation and the world. Each chapter is about five pages long, and covers the highs, lows, and transformative moments of these world-changing pastors, leaders and thinkers.
The book is chronologically organized as it moves through history beginning with Katharina Luther (1499-1552) and ending with the theologian J.I. Packer (1926-2020). Between those dates we find the stories of eighteen other remarkable men and women who overcame enormous obstacles as they lived lives that powerfully impacted the church and the world.
Authors Ed and Janice Hird have done their homework. Each biography is well-written and thoroughly researched with dozens of endnotes.
These are stories that will build your faith and stoke your courage. I highly recommend this book. It’s a real fire-starter in the best way imaginable. Just click to get the ebook or paperback on Amazon.
“The marital and family lives of 20 of well-known figures from Christian history, spanning six centuries from Martin Luther to Jim Packer, are brought to life in this book with some fascinating details. For instance, did you know that Martin Luther changed his bedsheets only once a year before he was married? Subsequently, they were changed more frequently!
The book demonstrates time and again that God delights to use fallible people to achieve extraordinary advances for his kingdom – what an encouragement to all of us!
There are no fewer than 717 footnotes, spanning 38 pages, for those wishing to dig deeper into the fascinating lives of these servants of God.”
“Firestarters gives thumbnail sketches of well-known revivalists. Their dedication often came with a price to their health and private life. Yet their passion for Jesus was undeniable, and they shaped history in a way few others have done. I found it particularly fascinating how close the relationship was between Ben Franklin and George Whitefield. I give this book five stars. It should be part of any serious historian’s collection, as well as a great educational tool.”
She is represented by Joyce Hart, of Hartline Literary Agency.
“In the Bible, Mordecai reminds Queen Esther that she has been placed in her position “for such a time as this.” In their book, “God’s Firestarters”, The Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird recounts the stories of twenty Christian leaders in history who were challenged by the times and circumstances that they faced – plague, illness, death of loved ones, financial hardships, marital problems, persecution, and much more, and how through faith and perseverance they became overcomers and firestarters for God. A well-written and easy to read book, this is one to put on your library shelf to have for personal meditation, for quick historical reference of twenty famous Christians, and for encouragement to see how others throughout history, facing many of the same challenges that we are facing today, were able to be victorious. I pray that it will lead us to realize that whatever our circumstances, we have also been placed here “for such a time as this”.
Another great book review of God’s Firestarters, a recommended Christmas present for your friends and family. Available on Amazon in ebook and paperback: Amazon USA or Amazon Canada W. Terry Whalin 5.0 out of 5 stars Read to Stir the Passion to Win Others to Christ Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2021 I’ve had a life-long fascination with biographies. Real stories from the lives of others can give us insight and inspiration for our own lives. Rev Dr Ed and Janice Hird tell the stories of twenty people in GOD’’S FIRESTARTERS who had profound impact on their world. As the authors explain in their opening chapter, “How does God use everyday people to advance the Gospel? GOD’S FIRESTARTERS plunges you into the astonishing true stories of twenty heroes of the faith who loved from the 16th – 21st centuries.” (Page 1) Each story is well-written and researched with documented endnotes of the various sources. I enjoyed the variety of stories built into this book. In particular, I enjoyed the chapter on Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Father of the Jesus Movement Revival, and this statement, “Through the Jesus movement in the late 1960s and ‘70s, two to three million young people, including ourselves, came into the Kingdom.” (Page 82) I highly recommend GOD’S FIRESTARTERS. W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
This Sunday we’re celebrated the Second Sunday of Advent. Praise the Lord! During the season of Advent we light our Advent Wreath. Each week a family will light the Advent candle. I’ll also begin a preaching series on “The Foundations of the Christian Faith.” During the season of Advent, each week I’ll preach on one of the key doctrines of the church. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. What a privilege it is to gather with the saints to worship the God-man who came to earth as a little baby! (In case you missed it, here is the recording of our service from last Sunday, the 21st November 2021. You can find the service by clicking HERE. After Church we celebrated with our All Saints Christmas party pot-luck lunch. This week we have moved the furniture into the church; pews will be available on Sunday. Yippee!! Don’t forget our Prayer and Fasting vigil every night at the church at 7:00pm. We’re going to pray and fast until God tells us to stop. You are welcome to join us any night at the church for prayer. Continue to pray for us as we negotiate with the City of Surrey with regards to our building permits. Thanks Church. Stay vigilant and prayerful. Love each other and keep Jesus at the centre of everything you do. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or needs. Lord willing, I’ll see you. Blessings on all you do. The peace of our Lord, Peter Klenner Bishop and Pastor All Saints Community Church, Crescent Beach 604.209.5570
Join us this morning for our God’s Firestarters booksigning at the House of James bookstore in Abbotsford from now to 1pm. The address is 2743 Emerson Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 4H8
5.0 out of 5 stars In a Time of Chaos We need this Solid Truth Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2021 Ed and Janice Hird are not new to the craft of writing and their latest Book, God’s Firestarters is a great addition to the list. This book simply and honestly reviews the lives of numerous men and woman used powerfully by God. I found it to be both encouraging and inspiring. Just what many of us need in the dark days which we find ourselves. It is a powerful reminder that God isn’t looking for powerful people just people willing to listen and obey and serve God as He heals the world. More than well worth the read.
Marty Shoub
Marty Shoub 5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, meticulously researched, full of encouragement Reviewed in Canada on November 19, 2021 Ed and Janice Hird have compiled 20 short biographies of Christian leaders spanning some 500 years, from Martin Luther’s wife, Katharina to Dr. J.I. Packer who passed on to his reward in 2020. Christian biography is always in danger of sliding into idealized hagiography, glossing over faults and flaws to present a caricature of the “saint” under consideration. The Hirds are careful to avoid this pitfall. Their exceptional research reveals Christian leaders “with a nature like ours,” who despite their shortcomings were so moved by the grace of God to accomplish remarkable achievements for the betterment of us all. The sub-title of the book is “Preparing our Families for Coming Revivals.” Each vignette ends with an encouragement for the reader to apply the lessons learned from the life of each biography. One of the best features of the book is the Hirds’ attention to the spouses of well-known Christian leaders. These are often the unsung heroes who suffered many private difficulties to support the public ministry of their partner. I would recommend God’s Firestarters. It is easy to read, meticulously researched, and full of encouragement to devote our lives for the sake of the Gospel.
Three book reviews of God’s Firestarters available on Amazon https://amzn.to/3EcQKAg (USA) or https://amzn.to/3vrwibu (Canada) Kimberley Payne 5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally well-researched Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2021 I used to think that history was boring. But this exceptionally well-researched book captivated me. The stories of the great firestarters encouraged and inspired me to think about my own legacy. I read the entire book in one sitting but plan to go back and reread to better absorb the lessons learned. Kimberley Payne, award-winning author,/
“God’s Firestarters” is a magnificent read! For over 40 years I have been praying for revival in the Western Church. The flame that once burned in my heart, in expectation of this happening, had diminished with the falling away from true orthodoxy in recent years. However, this book has once again fanned into flame that yearning in my heart. As a result of reading “God’s Firestarters,” I have rediscovered that God uses broken, fragile souls to stir others to renewal and revival. I shall make a point of distributing this book to as many people as possible. Well, done Ed and Janice! (Venerable Ron Corcoran, author of ‘Jesus, Remember Me,’ ‘The Bishop or the King’ and ‘Deliver Us from Evil.’)
As always, you have outdone yourself, giving us hope that God will raise up new fire-starters in our day to push back the flames of temptation and plagues of corruption. I would highly recommend that everyone pick up a copy of this book and be inspired by the lives of ordinary people who were filled with their extraordinary God and accomplished huge things. You have always acted with a prophetic calling to awaken people to what is possible with God working in and through them. This is just another book in your storied career that will ignite numerous people to trust God for bigger things than they were prepared for. When we forget the past, we are weaker in the present and nonexistent in the future. —Dr. Gil Stieglitz, author of Building a Ridiculously Great Marriage and Wise Parenting
Did you know that Katharina was the one who proposed marriage to Martin Luther, that Charles and John Wesley met with scandal and opposition in America, or that John Newton was a bad-tempered, rebellious alcoholic. Ed and Janice Hird reveal these historical bits and many more in their recently released book God’s Firestarters—Preparing Our Families for Coming Revivals.
In twenty fast-paced chapters the Hirds delve into the lives and impact of twenty giants of the Christian faith. These stories span centuries from Katharina Luther (1499-1582) and Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) to the 21st century and Chuck Smith (1927-2013), John Wimber (1934-1997), and J. I. Packer (1926-2020).
The accounts are tightly written with the abundant corroboration of a Wikipedia profile (there are a total of 717 endnotes). This is testimony to the rigorous research that has gone into each story. That’s a good thing too, for some of these accounts are almost unbelievable in the way God worked—through unlikely people, doing unlikely things, in unlikely places.
Though the stories are interesting and many entertaining, the Hirds’ real motivation in writing this book was not merely to relate lively histories, but to spark in readers a desire for more of the same surrender, obedience, faith, and audacity that was present in these revival firestarters. I would say it succeeds.
The book concludes with this prayer expressing the heart of the authors: “Wake us up. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Send the fire once again. Revive us, transform us, renew us, refresh us in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
A section of Discussion Questions precedes the Endnotes, making this a great choice for Bible study groups or book clubs.
Marina Ireland
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book worth the read!
Reviewed in Canada on November 8, 2021
This is a wonderful book, well documented and extremely interesting. It is a book that is hard to put down and one that challenges us to aspire for more of Him in our lives and those of our families. Read it – you won’t be disappointed.
Dr Leonard Sweet
Dr. Leonard Sweet, former Dr. E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism
A captivating gift of story-telling wrapped in historical exploration and riveting case-studies that brings out multiple elixirs for revival today and ecclesial empowerment. —Dr. Leonard Sweet, best-selling author (Rings of Fire), professor (George Fox University, Evangelical Seminary, Tabor College), and founder of The Salish Sea Press.
Brian C. Stiller, global ambassador, the World Evangelical Alliance 5.0 out of 5 stars
I was surprised and informed by these remarkable stories. Reviewed in Canada on November 6, 2021 This rich collection of “fire starters” lights up one’s imagination for what might take place today, and warms one’s heart to be one in whom it might possibly begin. https://worldea.org/leader/brian-c-stiller/ Brian Stiller was raised in a minister’s home on the Canadian prairies. His education: Horizon College (Bible diploma), University of Toronto (undergraduate and graduate – Wycliffe College), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (doctoral).Vocationally: staff with Youth for Christ in Canada, including being president; president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada; president of Tyndale University & Seminary. Since July 1, 2011, as Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, a global alliance serving some 600 million evangelical Christians.Stiller is founder and former editor-in-chief of Canada’s national magazine, Faith Today. He hosted a national weekly television program Cross Currents and is the author of numerous books. The most recent, From Jerusalem to Timbuktu: A tour of the spread of Christianity, IVP.His life mission is best capsulated in this biblical text: the Sons of Issachar who assisted King David in rebuilding Israel, were described as those “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (I Chronicles 12:32).Brian and his wife Lily have a son Murray (married to Catherine) and a daughter Muriel (married to Jesse Pascal); and five grandchildren.
Susan Rivers, former Board Member, Anglican Renewal Ministries Canada Fire Starters is a fascinating collection of short stories about 20 Christian men and women, who dramatically helped change world religious culture. Through their lives and teaching, they caused millions of people living in spiritual darkness, to become children of light. The very extensive end notes also increased my knowledge about these wonderfully bold Christians. I couldn’t put the book down!
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