Rolland Baker: Keeping the Fire

This book is very clearly written. It does not contain technical or theological language so one need not be a trained theologian to read it. It is accessible to all; it is easy to read, but much harder to live. One thing that you will find as you read this book is that it is very God-centered, not just in an intellectual sense but in a very practical sense. Baker writes about the need for people to love God and to experience Him. The priority is relationship. is a priority. What is especially refreshing about this book is that the author does not set forth the principles of Iris Global as the blueprint that will yield the same results for others serving in different ministry contexts. He does not believe that God’s ways can be reduced to a simple formula (page 30).

One thing that makes this book significant is that it is written by a missionary practitioner, one who knows what he is talking about because he has lived it. Another thing that makes this book significant is the fruitfulness of the Baker’s ministry. It is clear that they are being blessed by God. The author understands that it is God who has prospered Iris Global and so he is humble and honest in the things he writes. This book may be helpful to any Christian who seeks to evaluate their own life in order to determine what principles guide them. However, it may be especially valuable to leaders who are either trying to develop principles for ministry or to improve the ones they already have. There is food for thought here. I appreciate what Rolland Baker has shared in these pages. He has not shared secrets but scriptural truths which really work. In the prologue, Baker writes “My prayer is that you will fall in love with Him [Jesus] with all your heart as you read these pages, and that you will not be able to resist giving that love away, wherever you place your feet” (page 16). May his prayer be answered! May it be so Lord!

Reviewed by John P. Lathrop

 

Read Rolland Baker’s interview with PneumaReview.com about his book, Keeping the Fire: “More in Love with Jesus: Interview with Rolland Baker”

Print version of Keeping the Fire due from Chosen Books in October 2016. See Chosen’s publisher page.

Tags: baker, fire, keeping, rolland

Category: Ministry, Spring 2016