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(Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books; 2006, 240 pages) Ché Ahn, Senior Pastor of the charismatic Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, California, demonstrates his passion for the lost by sharing numerous personal experience stories and giving tips on how to win all people to Christ in Fire Evangelism: Reaching the Lost through Love and Power. This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to fulfill the Great Commission and embark on the journey to spread the Gospel in various relationships and encounters. Pastor Ahn, son of the first Korean Southern Baptist in North America, marvels at how far God has brought him, as he was once a teenage drug dealer and addict. He gave his life to Christ at seventeen years old in 1973 and began his work as an evangelist the following year. He is on a mission to share the Good News wherever he goes, and today, he is the founder and president of an apostolic network of more than 1,500 churches in more than 30 nations. There are many spiritual leaders all around the world; however, over three billion people have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is Ahn’s desire to see the fire of evangelism burning in the hearts of everyday Believers—not just pastors and leaders of the church. What is evangelism? Evangelism is the Great Commission. It involves sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ “in the power and love of the Holy Spirit”, so that people will eventually choose Him as Lord and Savior (p. 28). Ahn explains, although it is not necessary for salvation, evangelism also leads people to water baptism, the infilling of the Holy Spirit and discipleship into a local church. He defines fire evangelism as “the kind that engulfs the hearts of men and women with God’s passionate desire to bring them into the liberty for which His Son gave His life” (p.17). He thoroughly explains, with Scripture references and contemporary stories, the importance of loving God with all your heart and mind, loving people through service, prayer, and being dependent on the Holy Spirit as a guide in your mission. He also describes various forms of evangelism and gives suggestions on how to reach the seven types of people you may encounter. Although the author gives many practical ways to evangelize the lost, some of his creative evangelism ideas, such as setting up booths at state fairs to conduct prophecies, may challenge mainstream Christian beliefs (p. 216). This book may also separate those with doctrinal differences as the author introduces unfamiliar terminology (i.e., “soaking prayer”) and elaborates on Pentecostal experiences, such as speaking in tongues, being spiritually drunk and overcome with laughter, trembling or shaking. However, Pastor Ahn remains faithful in giving readers countless ways to reach lost souls with love and power. If you have ever struggled with sharing the Gospel with friends, loved ones, or strangers, this book is a must-read and a must-have for every Believer’s library. Review contributed by Tameka Delaney Edwards. She is a member of Faith Landmarks Ministries in Richmond, Va., wife, mother of three, Communication undergraduate at Regent University, and freelance writer. References Ahn, C. (2006). Fire evangelism: reaching the lost through love and power. Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books. Harvest Rock Church (2006). Retrieved from www.harvestrockchurch.org Oneplace.com (2006, November). Dr. John DeBrine interviews Ché Ahn about “Fire Evangelism.” Audio retrieved from http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Songtime/archives.asp?bcd=2006-11-16
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