The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us?

The Hole in Our Gospel is the compelling true story of a corporate CEO who set aside worldly success for something far more significant, and discovered the full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change his own life. He uses his journey to demonstrate how the gospel was always meant to be a world-changing social revolution, a revolution that begins with you.

"Preach the Gospel always.  Use words if necessary." - St. Francis of Assisi

It’s 1998 and Richard Stearns’ heart is breaking as he sits in a mud hut and listens to the story of an orphaned child in Rakai, Uganda.  His journey to this place took more than a long flight from the United States to Africa.  It took answering God’s call on his life, a call that hurtled him out of his presidential corner office at Lenox-America’s finest tableware company-to this humble corner of Uganda. 

This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith.  Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel. 

Two thousand years ago, twelve people changed the world.  Stearns believes it can happen again.

"Read this compelling story and urgent call for change-Richard Stearns is a contemporary Amos crying ’let justice roll down like waters….’  Justice is a serious gospel-prophetic mandate.  Far too many American Christians for too long a time have left the cause to ’others.’  Read it as an altar call."

--Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, BC

"Rich Stearns calls us to exhilarating obedience to God’s life-altering, world-changing command to reflect his love to our neighbors at home and globally. The Hole in Our Gospel is imbued with the hope of what is possible when God’s people are transformed to live radically in light of his great love."

--Gary Haugen, President & CEO, International Justice Mission 

"Richard Stearns is quite simply one of the finest leaders I have ever known.... When he became president of World Vision I had a front row seat to witness the way God used his mind and heart to inspire thousands.... His new book, The Hole In Our Gospel will call you to a higher level of discipleship.... Now is the time...Richard Stearns has the strategy...your move!"

--Bill Hybels, Founding and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL

"Rich Stearns has given us a book that makes absolutely clear what God hopes for and expects from each of us.... He reminded me of my personal responsibilities and the priority I must give them and also where life’s true rewards and fulfillment are to be found."

--Jim Morris, former executive director, United Nations World Food Program

"World Vision plays a strategic role on our globe. As the largest relief organization in the history of the world, they initiate care and respond to crisis. Rich Stearns navigates this mercy mission with great skill. His book urges us to think again about the opportunity to love our neighbor and comfort the afflicted. His message is timely and needed. May God bless him, the mission of World Vision and all who embrace it."

--Max Lucado, author of 3:16-The Numbers of Hope, Minister of Writing and Preaching, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, TX

"Rich Stearns has penned a passionate and persuasive book aimed at Christians who find themselves absorbed with their own existence, pursuing the American dream of health, wealth and happiness.  Rich traces his own spiritual journey from having it all, to sacrificial living on behalf of those who have nothing.  Not only is Rich eloquent, he’s right."

--Kay Warren, Executive Director HIV/AIDS Initiative at Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

"An urgent, powerful summons to live like Jesus. Stearns weaves solid theology, moving stories, and his own journey of faith into a compelling call to live the whole Gospel. Highly recommended!"

--Ronald J. Sider, President, Evangelicals for Social Action, Author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger

"With passionate urging and earnestness, Rich Stearns challenges Christians to embrace the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ by embracing the neediest and most vulnerable among us.  After reading the moving stories, the compelling facts and figures, and Stearns’ excellent application of scripture and his own experiences at World Vision, you will no doubt be asking yourself: What should I do?"

--Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship

"This book is a clarion call for the church to arise and answer the question, "Who is my neighbor?"... If you read this book, you will be inspired, but if you do what this book is asking, you will be forever changed. Rich Stearns’ book is like a safari for hurting souls that cannot be written in the safety of an office suite.... If you have been feeling something missing or an aching emptiness inside, read The Hole in our Gospel.  It will show you how to fill that void!"

--T.D. Jakes Sr., The Potter’s House of Dallas, Inc.

"Rich Stearns’ book is showing us through stories and examples how it is better to see a sermon rather than hear one.  This is an important book for all of us!"

--Tony Hall, US Ambassador and former US Congressman

"This is much more than "just another book" from a Christian leader.  It’s a message to Christendom that we all need."

--Dr. Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University, author of Red Letter Christians 

"This book represents a powerful personal story; face to face experiences with the poor which changed the author’s life, plus, an insightful scriptural commentary.  As happened with Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision; Richard Stearns’ heart has been broken with the things that break the heart of God.   Now, Stearns is using his considerable CEO skills to serve the poor and oppressed.  I highly recommend this book."

--John M. Perkins, President, John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation & Development, Inc.

Richard Stearns is President of World Vision and is responsible for U.S. operations. He holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Average Rating:

8 of 54 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by James Whittaker (Westminster, CA), January 09, 2010

Being involved in sometime preaching, sometime teaching, sometime visitation I get my focus on making sure I have the truth of God's word but I forget the work of the Gospel. This book was needed for it reminded me of where my focus should be; "Into all the world – making disciples.

Reviewed by Dan (Colorado Springs, Colorado), December 20, 2009

I am glad that I purchased and read this book. Richard Stearns did a magnificent job on this subject. I learned a lot of statistics about world wide incomes, however, I already knew that the U.S. has prospered above all other countries. The only thing I have a problem with is the amount of salaries World Vision and other charities pay [their head officers] in proportion to what the average American receives. Yes I know that they need to be compensated but if money is a important factor then the person should not be in a Ministry of GOD. How much is enough? I read the book and I know that Richard Stearns took a big cut in salary and benefits when he accepted the job at World Vision but guess how much he makes each year? Research it and you will be surprised.

Reviewed by David R Bess (Charleston, West Virginia), November 26, 2009

This book is actually two volumes woven together: the first volume is the account of urgent global needs and a call to respond to those needs as followers of Jesus Christ. The second volume is the testimony of Richard Sterns, and how God dramatically called him from a very successful, lucrative corporate career to assume the leadership of World Vision. The first volume is compelling, though it does get bogged down in details that are more informational than inspirational. The second volume however, is priceless. It was this section of this book that moved me deeply, learning how one man could sacrifice his "successful Christian life" to make a true difference in the world. The true path to greatness in the kingdom of God is found not by climbing up a ladder of success, but by climbing down a ladder of service. Richard Sterns illustrates that truth vividly here. I recommend this book highly -- just be warned, your Christian life may not be the same again.

Reviewed by Mel's World with Melissa Mashburn (Sunny South Florida), November 17, 2009

I can hardly remember a time when I have been so profoundly impacted by a book. Literally these 279 pages has transformed my thinking and I could not stop telling everyone I know about this book. What an incredible story of faith in action! It is an awesome reminder that having faith is so much more than just crossing that line and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Yes, that is fundamental, yes, that is the first step, but that it just it...it's the first step. There is so much more that we can do for Him each and every day if we choose to listen to the call on our lives and be the hands and feet that He has commanded us in His Word. This book is hitting a home run and I can't wait to see what happens when more and more people realize that there is a Hole in Our Gospel.

Reviewed by Peggy (Brainerd, MN), November 14, 2009

You get a hint of where Richard Stearns is taking you from the question and answer posed on the jacket of the book. Stearns asks “What does God expect of us?” and says the book contains “the answer that changed my life and might just change the world”. I seldom run across a book that I cannot read straight through, often in a matter of hours after getting it. This was one of those books. I started easily enough as Stearns took us through his early life, corporate achievement and the challenge to his faith that came through recruitment as the new President of World Vision. As he began talking about his early experiences with World Vision and how it changed his outlook, I found myself being convicted about how I have failed to care sufficiently for “the least of these”. Reading the rest of the book was slower going and it made me evaluate my calling in the church. If Stearns goal was to make us grow in our faith and faithfulness, he certainly did so in me. The hole he describes in our gospel is often seen in our single mindedness as to how we go about fulfilling the Great Commission. We are called to go and make disciples, but we often have differing ideas about what that means. It is more than bringing people to saving faith. It is also helping to meet their immediate needs and teaching them so they can meet their own needs and those of others in the future. The whole gospel as advocated by Stearns saves lives materially in this world and eternally in the next.

Reviewed by Amanda (Indiana), November 04, 2009

Oh wow...I didn't find this a slow read at all! I couldn't put it down! My husband and I have always had a heart for the poor and the hurting in our world. We have been to two third world countries in Africa and have looked into the peoples' eyes. This book not only makes people aware of the circumstances our world's people are in, but also emphasizes what it really means to take up your cross and follow Christ. It doesn't mean look the other way or justify why you don't have time to care...it means take action and let God lead you!

Reviewed by Joann Wedin (Wonder Lake, IL), September 04, 2009

A 'must read' to all those who profess to following Christ and doing His will. The words bring the mission of Christ alive in a way rarely found today.

Reviewed by Dennis Muse (Kansas City, MO), September 01, 2009

The Hole In Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision published by Thomas Nelson, is a compelling call to Christ-followers to know and understand the whole gospel, and our obligation to take it to the world. This book is amazing; it is one of best books I have read in a long time. In this book we learn of Richard's personal story, his rise to not only CEO of World Vision but God's working in him to know and embrace the whole Gospel. We learn of Richard's ventures into the world, the world of poverty and need. As he states "Poverty, disease, and squalor had eyes and faces that stared back, I had to see and smell and touch the pain of the poor. We learn "The mission of God is now our mission, and the whole gospel is the good news". That the Kingdom which Christ spoke of was one in which the poor, sick, grieving, cripples, slaves, widows, orphans, lepers and aliens - the lest of these, were to be lifted up. This subject is one of my passions, world hunger and living out the whole gospel, so this was preaching to the Choir for me, but helped fuel my passion for the need and for the church to get, know, embrace the whole gospel and do something with it. This book should be a must read for every Christian, in the pew of every church. A required reading for every pastor. Stearns tells a powerful and compelling story of how God transformed him from one who like most Christians believes the American dream is the gospel, Christianity lived out. To one changed by the real gospel, humbled and broken, giving it all up for Christ and to take the gospel to the world.

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