Dean Merrill

I thoroughly enjoyed reading 50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know by Dean Merrill. Although I grew up in a conservative, Pentecostal church, I knew very little about any of the men and women featured in this collection. Each mini-biography devotes four to six pages to providing condensed background information of the individual, an overview of the person’s spiritual journey and undertakings, and a perspective on how the man or woman impacted the show more Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. Although the biographies are kept short, many people reappear throughout the book and I thought the author did well tying it all together. I also appreciated that the author did not attempt to hide the short-comings of some individuals.

Reading 50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know opened my mind to the diversity of Spirit-filled life. I was raised a certain way, I attend a church that operates differently than I was raised, and this book shines the light on how the Holy Spirit does not fit into a particular box. He ministers through diverse methods, peoples, and belief systems.

As I read the stories of healing and spiritual gifts, my own faith was strengthened and my desire for the fullness of the Holy Spirit grew. I recommend 50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know by Dean Merrill to any Christian who enjoys biographies or is curious about the Holy Spirit.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. show less

Great Moves of God

This is a great book that tells you the true stories of Christian people you may, or may not, have heard of. The information is very interesting about people I was already aware of, but I really loved hearing about the lives of those I had never heard of.

For instance, Marie Woodworth-Etter felt the call of God on her life as a child, but she didn’t know how to do anything about it since she was a woman. After many years of heartache, at the age of thirty-five, she was show more finally allowed to speak.

Eventually, she did end up telling people about The Lord at many places, but even then she faced the possibility of being arrested, or being hurt by vicious mobs. There was also a group that wanted to declare her insane. Despite all these trials and more, she continued speaking the word of God.

Many of these accounts include miracles these people saw. In Smith Wigglesworth’s ministry, he told a man who was wheelchair bound because of amputations in both legs, to purchase a new pair of shoes. Although others who heard it thought he was cruel, the man did go to a store the next day and purchase shoes. When he put each stump into a shoe, a new foot and leg was instantly formed, and the man was able to walk out of the shop!

Stories of the extraordinary await you in this book. People included represent many denominations and walks of life. For instance, there is Larry Christenson, a Lutheran pastor; Francis MacNutt, a Catholic Dominican Friar; and Pat Robertson, a television host and business magnet. Having their lives changed by the Holy Spirit is the common connection they all share.

Read of the powers and wonders our Lord released in these people. It will build you up, and give you a new outlook. I recommend this five-star book to everyone.

Chosen Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, 50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders, for the purpose of review. show less

Merrill's call for the church to remember that God is able to speak well into the culture, and that our angry shouts and protests as a church are usually unhelpful, needs to be heard. This book reminds us of both grace and God's sovereignty, and that understanding the latter is what makes speaking with the former possible.

Together at Home Includes two years worth of tried-and-true ideas for family together nights: activities for both elementary-age kids and teens; Ideas for celebrating special events, such as birthdays and holidays, suggestions for teaching key values, such as honesty, cooperation, and prayer and many more ideas.