The New Friars: The Emerging Movement Serving the World's Poor

As someone who's read many books related to Christian concern for social justice, I found this one particularly helpful in its international and historical perspective as well as addressing some U.S. domestic ministry. Personally, I found the book affirming in the ways that I can relate to "the new friars", but also found in the book an exhortation for me to continue to grow my own life of understanding and caring for the poor. However, I also thought that the book would be helpful for Christians with some interest and concern for social justice who have had less experience. Just as Hebrews recommends that we find encouragement, strength, and challenge in others who have gone before us, the stories and examples in this book provide a good picture of what a serious commitment to Christian social justice can mean for others. Finally, I think that this book is a good resource for anyone with concerns about international poverty regardless of their faith. The examples that Bessenecker gives us in this book raise two questions for anyone who would say that they care about the poor, "what does it mean for me to live in integrity in light of global poverty? And what will I need to be able to live that way?"

This book was a very convicting read, especially as a twenty-year-old college student with the resources of the world at my fingertips. Scott encourages people to look out of their self-contained Western bubbles and face the grim reality that is poverty. With loads of scripture and personal testimonies, he makes Christ's call to the poor a personal one. "Go and do likewise" is his favorite mantra as he encourages a generation to rise up and create change. I appreciated this book, especially since I am preparing to spend six weeks in Phnom Penh, Cambodia among the poor. Scott really placed social justice into a context that I could appreciate and grasp. Change is possible, and it will happed through one dedicated soul at a time.

The author does a great job of simply pulling back the curtain and exposing us to worlds that we never new existed. It is a story of hope amidst hopeless situations. It shows that in our limited lifetime, we can make a difference. It is proof that while we may consider some people and places "god forsaken", God does not. God cares very deeply and His care is reflected in the "New Friars" who have chosen to give up the world's pleasures and wealth to share God's love with these people. This is a challenge to consider how we live. The author does a fantastic job of presenting the message without trying to make the reader feel guilty. The truth of these situations is sufficient enough to challenge the reader, but in a positive way. This book also challenges some of our assumptions about the poor and the dispossessed, and that too is healthy. Few books have the potential to impact your life and challenge your spirit like this book. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

Scott Bessenecker shines a light on a movement of Christian young people who are sacrificing the "American Dream" and giving up their rights to not only serve the world's poorest in the name of Christ but to live as they live, in poverty, in the name of Christ. The New Friars begins to chronicle this movement with compelling stories of young people who choose to join in the suffering of people in the world's largest urban slum communities. These stories were both shocking and refreshing. Bessenecker does a great job informing the reader of the links between this current movement and that of the past. God has always called people to the "margins" for His sake. And no doubt our greatest model of this will always be Christ as the author so states. As someone who likes to think of himself as a "serious Christian" I was deeply challenged by this book and it led me into thoughtful and prayerful dialogue with God about His heart for those on the fringe and, more importantly, what God might be saying to me about my current life-style and vocation. I whole-heartedly recommend this book and really appreciate the fact it was written.

This was one of the most encouraging books I have read in years. Bessenecker establishes a connection between young leaders that emerged in the history of the church at strategic, divine moments -- whose ministries had a profound influence among the world's poor -- and contemporary movements of young leaders who are having a transformational effect among squatter setlements in today's world. I was transfixed by the very real, unsanitized examples of young people following Christ in ways that go beyond talk, and finding joy as a result.