The Brokenhearted Evangelist by Jeremy Walker
Walker, Jeremy. The Brokenhearted Evangelist. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2012. 160 pp. $15.00. Purchase at Reformation Heritage Books for $11.00.
Introduction
Readers may remember Jeremy Walker as the co-author of A Portrait of Paul: Identifying a True Minister of Christ. He is also the pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, England. You can read more of his work at his website, The Wanderer.
Summary
Divided into five chapters, Pastor Walker asks hard hitting questions and then answers them with the grace of a seasoned believer who has spent much time at the foot of the cross in confession and repentance. The entire book discusses evangelism and is an exposition of Psalm 51 in light of our need to obey the Lord.
The first question is “Am I Willing?” Jeremy shows that evangelism is our obligation even when we do not feel like it. Second, we are introduced (or reacquainted) to the equipment we need for effective evangelism in answering the question “Am I Effective?”
The next explain our appointed means of evangelism as well as the target of our efforts. “Am I Committed?” and “Am I Focused?” are the two questions that drive home the heart of the book. The final question asks, “Am I Fruitful?” Here Walker dispels the myth of decisionism and explains that as long as you are faithful to the message you are being fruitful.
Review
First, I must say that I am aggravated that I read this in iBooks! I could not write or underline or interact as I would with a print book. This book will make you think. It will cause you to weep over the lost. It will get your blood pumping to see that you are not failing in your biblical mandate and will lead you to repentance for the times you have failed.
Walker’s book is saturated in Scripture and, with his text being Ps. 51, offers a different perspective on a very popular text. It would have been a quick read except for all the times I had to stop and worship and repent and praise the Lord. I also found that while reading this work, I was more in tune to the opportunities presented in my daily life to share the gospel – and I honestly thought I was doing fairly well in this area!
Recommendation
Pastor Walker’s hard hitting questions coupled with his graceful understanding and exhortation makes The Brokenhearted Evangelist a must read for all believers. If you cannot recall the last time you shared the gospel with someone, then you need to pick up a copy and read it…twice. The first time you read it you will do so with a broken heart. The second time you read it, will be with a new set of eyes that will allow you to see how to apply the principles of this work in your life.
Thank you for your kind remarks and encouraging commendation of this book. I long for the day that our “Reformed camp” moves from theory to practice. If our churches are dwindling and drying, I do not believe it is because the fields are any less white for the harvest, than when Jesus said they were in John 4:35, but because we the “Reformed” Laborers, remain passive waiting for the Lord to “add” (and he does, most of the times recycled Christians evangelized by other “less enlightened” believers), while we “read”, “theorize” and “criticize” other believers who are busy with sickle in hand, praying for laborers and going themselves to harvest. I for sure, am the first and foremost failure of what I decry here about our camp. May the Lord cause Jeremy’s to be not just another book on what we know, but use it to change our ways.
Edwin,
I couldn’t agree more. I truly found that reading Pastor Walker’s book quickened my heart and has been used of the Lord to be more aware of evangelistic opportunities. We (all) can be so narrow-minded in our efforts that when it is all said and done, we seek to save those whom WE choose to OUR glory and not God’s. I do pray that this resource will be used of the Lord to begin a revival started by many brokenhearted evangelists uniting to share the gospel daily.