ACADEMIC LEADERS
"Joel Vestal represents a fresh, new vision of missions spreading among global Christianity's youth that is decidedly personal, yet universal; warmly evangelical, yet socially engaged; local in perspective, yet globally aware--managing to effectively bridge many characteristics that have divided Christians in the past. The reader will be challenged to integrate many seemingly disparate streams of commitment into a global Christian worldview."
Todd M. Johnson, Ph.D
Director, Center for the Study of Global Christianity
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"I am happy to commend ServLife International to you. Joel Vestal is a man of integrity and earnest Christian commitment. He has a genuine burden for the work of the Lord."
Dr. Robert Sloan, President
Houston Baptist University
“Joel Vestal listens and learns, as evidenced in Dangerous Faith. Through this autobiographical journal of a remarkable missional pilgrimage, the reader gains insight into the holistic nature of the mission of God and the power that is available to those committed to faithfully serve that mission.”
Bill O'Brien, Ph.D
Founder & Former Director
The Global Center at Beeson Divinity School
Birmingham, AL
“There are many people telling us how the Christian mission is changing. But if you want to know what this change looks like from the inside, I can’t think of a better place to look than Joel Vestal’s new book. It gives glimpses of the exciting new world of missions that I have not seen anywhere else.”
Dr. William A. Dyrness, Professor of Theology and Culture
Fuller Theological Seminary: Pasadena, CA and co-author of Changing the Mind of Missions: Where Have we Gone Wrong?
“It has been said that preaching is not so much the preparation and delivery of a sermon, as it is the preparation and presentation of a person. Likewise, Joel Vestal’s book is not so much the preparation and publication of a manuscript as it is the preparation and sharing of a soul. Jesus Christ is glorified in Dangerous Faith because Jesus Christ is glorified in Joel Vestal’s life and ministry. When Joel Vestal speaks, I listen; when Joel Vestal writes, I read. To God be the glory!”
Dr. Randall O’Brien
Executive Vice President and Provost
Baylor Univesity
“In 28 years of ministry, I have never known someone who is more passionate, gifted, and anointed in the area of telling the story of Jesus. The collection of stories which represent Joel’s experiences as he has traveled are guaranteed to refresh the spirit of the reader and perhaps even challenge to attempt greater things for God. This is a wonderful book which is part biography, part devotional, and part “how to” in missions. My only regret is that it is only a small portion of all of the stories that Joel has to share—and that others have to share about Joel and his passion to take Jesus to the nations”
Dr. R. Allen Jackson
Associate Professor of Youth Education
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
"I would highly recommend to you ServLife International. Joel spoke to our students in chapel at DBU. He gave a wonderful message, which was so appropriate for a college audience. He is a gifted communicator."
Dr. Gary Cook, President Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX
MINISTRY LEADERS
“As American Christians, much of our lives are spent running from pain. We literally hide in our churches, keeping the world's need, brokenness, and tragedy at bay. That's why Vestal's book cuts so deep. Through riveting, incredulous stories, he retrieves the plan of Jesus: run toward the pain - not away from it and find God's light and life in its midst. A passionate, life-altering book.”
Sally Morgenthaler, Consultant and Author of Worship Evangelism
www.Sacramentis.com
Denver, CO
“While people in every generation have eagerly and sacrificially answered that call, I’m encouraged to see a new wave of people emerge with a passion to amplify God’s fame among the nations at all cost. I think you’ll be inspired (and convicted) to join them after reading Joel’s book. And not out of a sense of guilt, but as the natural overflow of what He has so generously lavished on us. As you go, Joel and his wife Elise will be right there with you, blazing a trail with their words and actions, compelling countless others to follow. Me included.” (From Louie’s foreword of Dangerous Faith)
Louie Giglio
Founder and Director of Passion Conferences
“I’m a firm believer that God uses many kinds of churches and agencies to do many different kinds of ministry and service. We need the large, respected institutions and organizations. But we also need new emerging organizations that are nimble, exploratory, innovative, and relational - ones like ServLife. We especially need leaders - like Joel Vestal - who are eager to build grass-roots partnerships with courageous and humble people around the world doing street-level ministry to express Christ’s love. The days of missions as a Euro-American enterprise are passing to this new day of global partnerships built on relationships, and ServLife is one of a short list leading the way into this new territory.”
Brian McLaren
Author and Speaker
“The compassionate response of this Joel’s heart to the poor and disfranchised, to the desperation of those without knowledge of Christ’s love, reminded me of the danger I face of seeing the world through jaded eyes of complacency. Take the risk and let Joel’s worldview kindle a renewed passion for the world God loves.”
Lorry Lutz, Missions Speaker & Author of Women as Risk Takers for God
"After reading some of the stories of Joel's kingdom adventures I am reminded of another young passionate leader who was not afraid to go anywhere, do anything and take as many people with him , that man was William Borden , and his quote I think embodies God's call on Joel's life ' no reserve, no retreat, no regret' . We all need Jesus' perspective for the Kingdom of God above all else, this book through wonderful stories gives us insights into people that we will never meet and places that we will never travel but are close to the heart of God , come experience the adventure..."
Daryl Heald, President
Generousgiving.org
Chattanooga, TN
http://www.generousgiving.org/
"Wow! You will need a passport after reading my friend Joel Vestal's new book, Dangerous Faith. He shakes us out of our slumber and reminds us we are citizens of two countries - here and heaven. This is a book for those who are more interested in building the kingdom than building an earthly empire. And I would prescribe it for anyone suffering from "been there, done that, now what?" syndrome. I built Student Leadership University on the philosophy that you and I will be the same five years from now except for the places we go, people we meet, and the books we read. This is defiantly a life changing book I'm recommending to our students."
Dr. Jay Strack, Founder & President
Student Leadership University
Orlando, FL
http://www.studentleadership.net
“Dangerous Faith will entertain and challenge you with faith stories of adventure and daring that provide insight into the difference one person can make in seeking to achieve God's call to a holistic mission. Joel Vestal took a step of faith at an early age and has continued to see God work in ways that will challenge and inspire. If you are searching for how you can make a difference you will find practical help and inspiration in Joel Vestal's vision for the whole Gospel – the Whole Person - and the Whole World.”
Samuel J. Voorhies PhD
Director, Leadership & Organizational Development
World Vision International
“INCREDIBLE! Dangerous Faith is what every Christian should read. Every page is
anointed by the Holy Spirit. You can not read this book without coming away with a passion for the souls of lost men and women.”
Freddie Gage, Southern Baptist Evangelist
Euless, TX
“From the Mecca of Hinduism in Varanassi, India, to a training center in Indonesia, Joel Vestal weaves a collection of compelling stories with timeless truths from Scripture that will move you from spiritual complacency to a deeper understanding of God's heart for the nations.”
Barbara Curnutt , Executive Director
Woman's Missionary Union
Georgia Baptist Convention
CHURCH LEADERS
“When Joel has something to say, I eagerly listen. Reading this book is like reading a thrilling mission adventure combined with theological challenge. Dangerous Faith will not only help redefine mission for the church, but help ignite your heart about what it means to be a follower of Jesus”
Dan Kimball, author of The Emerging Church and pastor of Vintage Faith Church
Santa Cruz, CA
“Joel’s writing combines an incarnational missiology with up to date global cultural awareness. His writing resonates with those seeking to connect those living in a pluralistic post-modern culture to the ongoing passion of God to draw people to himself from every tribe.”
Ron Johnson, Lead Pastor
Pathways Church
Denver, CO
"I have known Joel Vestal for a decade and have an incredible respect for him and the ministry he does through ServLife. Our church has been involved with the work of ServLife, and we are continually blessed by his efforts to connect local churches directly with church planters in difficult areas."
Chris Seay,
Church Planter & Founding Pastor of University Church: Waco, TX and Ecclesia: Houston, TX
“Joel Vestal writes from a depth of a passion and experience few possess at his age. He touches our hearts open our ears to hear the cries of those who have never heard the gospel and the weeping of those who suffer neglect and abuse around the world. In these pages you will find the bright light of God's love in a new generation who are giving their lives for Christ among the poorest of the poor. As you travel with Joel Vestal to Africa, India and Indonesia you will see the world with new eyes of compassion for the lost and neglected of the earth. Joel's passion for God and for the lost will disturb, inspire and challenge you.”
Dr. Bill Tinsley, President
WorldConneX
Baptist General Convention of Texas
Dallas, TX
“In a cultural landscape of cheesy sitcoms and “Reality” TV, Dangerous Faith is like a PBS documentary. Rich, poignant and powerful, Joel’s passion for the Kingdom of God pulsates through every story.”
Don Vanderslice, Pastor
Mosaic Church
Austin, TX
"Dangerous Faith layers story-beauty with meaning-hope. As the reader you are challenged and loved, silenced and encouraged to live out the biblical practices of prayer, compassion, justice, and simplicity. As for the writer Joel Vestal, this title is life, in which makes Dangerous Faith a must read for God’s cause.”
Greg Russinger, Lead Pastor
Bridge Communities; Ventura, CA
Co-designer of the Soliton Network & Sessions
http://www.solitonnetwork.org
“Outstanding! Even though Joel Vestal is a young man, he sees global missions work through the lens of experience, wisdom and scripture. This book will keep the reader’s interest while providing inspiration and instruction as Pastors, Missionaries and Kingdom workers seek to obey the Great Commission.”
Dave Divine, Lead Pastor
The Church at Chapel Hill (Assembly of God)
Douglasville, GA
“The reading of this book may cause your blood pressure to rise as you dream of the possibility of living fully in the will of God. It’s an anecdotally charged challenge to an arrogant American church, which is often more worried about changing homeland politics and building huge temples to their success, than it is living the gospel out in the world so that God’s glory would be evident and injustices would be eradicated. Joel places the cookies on the bottom shelf, and makes us realize that the mission God has called us to is more exciting than any adventure “Reality TV” can concoct.”
Mike Gunn, Lead Pastor
Harambee Church
Seattle, WA
“Joel has lived the whole Gospel to the whole world, better than most. That is why this book is not theory it is authentic. Joel removes the walls that surround the western churches and places us in the midst of the story of the whole church and lets us meet the real people who live out an amazing faith. This book is a must read because it critiques the Christianity of those of us in the West and it fuels our hearts to want more than what we are experiencing. The new face of mission must be holistic and look more like Jesus, and Joel explains why. If you are wanting more from your faith and wanting to enlarge your view of Jesus' global community, then you have to read this book!"
Rick McKinley, Pastor
Imago Dei Community; Portland Oregon
Author of Jesus in the Margins & Finding God in the Places we Ignore
“I have known Joel for several years and have visited an orphanage he founded in a part of Northern India widely known to be some of the hardest spiritual soil on earth. Joel is no ‘arm chair missionary’. Joel speaks from a life filled with in-the-trenches experiences of God’s kingdom of justice and peace invading the most desperate situations imaginable. Read this book if you’d like to find out how you too can partner with God’s mission. Joel is an able guide for us all.”
Kevin Rains
Lead Pastor, Vineyard Central
Cincinatti, OH
“Joel Vestal is the Indiana Jones of the mission world. For years, Joel has traveled the world and faced real-life dangers to help spread faith, love, and hope. Wherever he has gone, lives have been turned upside down- including mine. Joel's book will help you discover the dangerous life we have been called to live in order to share God's love - even in the darkest places. This book motivates and equips us to be a part of God's mission to
the nations in a fresh and effective way.”
Eric Bryant, Team Leader & Assistant Pastor
Mosaic Church
Los Angeles, CA
BUSINESS LEADERS
"I am encouraged through organizations like ServLife International that the door may be
gradually opening for the light of Christ to shine in the dark parts of the world."
Jerry Wilkinson, Founder & President
Wilkinson Group, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
"My wife and I know Joel Vestal to be a very fine young man who is seeking the best of his time, energies, and capabilities to further God's Kingdom through ServLife International."
Mr. John Baugh, Founder & Senior Chairman
Sysco Corporation
Houston, TX
“Financial Stewardship is directly connected with our relationship with God. Reading Dangerous Faith will encourage, motivate, and challenge you to be more of a generous giver to what God is doing around the world to spread the gospel and empower the poor. We as Christians in the west have been blessed by God in many ways and should help as much as we can in the growth of the church around the world.”
Clarence Scharbauer III
Businessman, Philanthropist
Midland, TX
“Dangerous Faith is an inviting, yet challenging expression of God’s call to followers of Jesus to want more, to do more…service to our fellow human beings. And by so doing, in the name of Christ Jesus, to be faithful witness. Joel Vestal has trusted God to lead him in adventures for service around the world. God has given Joel exceptional insights and maturities far beyond his age. Dangerous Faith is winsome and full of hope, declaring simply and from the heart, how one can grow in God and service to man.”
Bill Brian, Attorney & Partner
Courtney, Countiss, Brian, & Bailey. L.L.P
Amarillo, TX
“Joel Vestal is a living embodiment of Christ's command to take the Gospel to "the ends of the earth," and this book is a telling account of his remarkable journeys. From Sudanese refugee camps in Uganda, to the poorest slums of India, Vestal shares not only his rich ministry experiences, but also reveals the deep need for more Christians to leave their comfortable couches of [American] Christianity and join him in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Simply put, Vestal is a man with a profound passion for spreading the message of God's love to the poorest regions of the world, and these captivating stories will leave you inspired to join him in that pursuit.”
Craig Lewiston, PhD Student
Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
Boston, MA
INTERNATIONAL LEADERS
“Joel invites us on a journey during which God renews in us the serious desire and commitment to serve God in the accordance with the leading of the Holy Spirit. Who knows, God may lead you to His service as you through the pages of this book - Do not hold back! I encourage to accompany Joel Vestal on this wonderful journey.”
Nabil Costa, Executive Director
Lebanese Baptist Society
Beirut, Lebanon
“Joel Vestal has journeyed with the Lord of the harvest and has drawn upon his rich experiences to clearly present the message of the gospel which will motivate any sensitive person for transformational action. Dangerous Faith will indeed enrich the world wide community of Christ united by the love of the crucified.”
Richard Howell, General Secretary
Evangelical Fellowship of India
New Delhi, India
“Joel Vestal has earned the right to speak. His perspective on the struggles and successes of the global emerging church will greatly broaden you. His call towards wholeness and incarnation among the poor will find eager ears. Mine included.”
Andrew Jones, Consultant
Director of Boaz Project
Orkney Islands, UK
http://www.TallSkinnyKiwi.com
“I have known Joel Vestal for a number of years. I have found him to be a man of God who has a heart to serve God and his people wherever they are. In this book, Joel has expressed the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the compassion for people who do not know God. This book will challenge the reader to grow in their spiritual life by the power of the Holy Spirit and to win lost people to Jesus Christ.”
Rev. Dr. Simon Pandey, General Secretary & President National Church Fellowship of Nepal (Member of World Evangelical Fellowship)
“Joel Vestal intertwines his unconventional life experiences with basic Biblical principals. He has a heart for the world and cares more about meeting people’s needs than following the “American dream”. Living a simple nomadic life he has ministered to all types of people in “out of the way” places. As much as possible Joel prefers to work with and facilitates the ministry of nationals. He is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, aware of the power of prayer and seizes opportunities to share the Gospel. I recommend every mission minded Christian and every mission minded church to read this book.”
Dr. Billy Kim
Former President, Baptist World Alliance
President, Far East Broadcasting Co. - Korea
Pastor Emeritus, Suwon Central Baptist Church
Seoul, Korea