A Gentle Wind of GodThe Influence of the East Africa Revival by Richard K. MacMaster with Donald R. Jacobs |
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"A Gentle Wind of God is an engaging account of a movement that has exerted remarkable influence on several continents over the past seventy-five years. It reminds us that the renewing and transforming work of the Holy Spirit is never finished." - From the foreword, by Wilbert R. Shenk, Fuller Theological Seminary
While the many Mennonite churches in mid-20th century North America tried to maintain their spirituality through orthodoxy and prescribed behavior, missionaries they had sent to East Africa often returned home with a new vision of revival: Walk with Jesus Christ and allow nothing to disturb that relationship. Call sin "sin" and repent of it quickly, they proclaimed. Then receive an infusion of the Holy Spirit in all of life.
This book tells the story of how this movement ulitmately provided Mennonites and others a way to reignite the smoldering fires of revival. Imbedded in the story is the message of God's redeeming and sanctifying power. The story describes the mystery. It is a mystery of God's grace. It is the mystery that is revealed in every authentic movement of God's Spirit in the world.
"The presence of Jesus through the East Africa Revival has been heralded with fragrance through the lives and lips of untold thousands. We have longed to read its story in a connected chronicle. At last! Now it is here. The testimonies of Catharine Leatherman, Don Jacobs, Dorothy Smoker, and many others, tell of the breaking, cleansing, restoring, and uniting presence of Jesus himself. Welcome to the story! May it never end until Jesus returns." - Richard Showalter, President, Eastern Mennonite Missions
About the Authors
Richard K. MacMaster holds undergraduate degrees from Fordham University and a PhD from Georgetown University. He taught American history at Western Carolina University, James Madison University, and Bluffton College. MacMaster's previous books include Conscience in Crisis and Land, Piety, Peoplehood.
Donald R. Jacobs holds a PhD in religion and culture from New York University. He served as an African missionary from 1953 to 1973, when he founded the Mennonite Theological College in Tanzania and later served on the faculty at the University of Nairobi. After his African ministry, Don directed overseas programs for Eastern Mennonite Missions and then worked as director of Mennonite Christian Leadership Foundation. His previous books include Pilgrimage in Mission.