Make Poverty Personal: Taking the Poor as Seriously as the Bible Does

Read Make Poverty Personal about 2 years ago. As I look back now I recognise that it has had a massive impact on my life. Through it, and similar material which I have read since, God has turned my life on it's head. It's still an ongoing quest to get my life realigned with biblical principles but I recognise the reading of Making Poverty Personal as the starting point. Thanks Ash!

This book was very thought provoking and enlightening. The author brings out important points of Jesus' mission and who he came to minister to, which is the "poor." Once we understand this need, then our light will truly shine. A timely book.

Ash Barker and his family live smack dab in the middle of the urban poor of Bangkok, Thailand, where they are loved for their activism, listening and care. The stories of this revolutionary book are interspersed with solid theological content. As you read, you will be forced to examine your presuppositions about consumerism, the majority world, AIDS, and your own parochialism! A solid read by a solid guy. Doug Priest

Ash's book is a lot like Ron Sider's classic, "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger". Ash's writing and life reminds me of a young Tony Campolo, but from Australia living in Bangkok. The combination of personal stories, imagination and serious biblical study makes this a must read for Christians. It is also a great read for non-Christians as it takes seriously the spiritual dimensions of poverty. And the great thing is that Ash writes not from the hallowed halls of academia or the rose colored glasses of a church office, but he writes from an unairconditioned office in the middle of Klong Toey slum. His stories have the ring of truth to them because they are real. This would be a great book to do as part of a small group study.

This is the best book Ash has written. Challenging, personal, and hopeful that others will help the poor personally