"Griffith pulls you in right from the beginning of this eye-opening, realistic novel about a pastor who chooses to shine the love of Christ into the darkest crevices of tragedy, prejudice, and intolerance in his town in spite of the personal risk to his ministry. In His Place is a must-read for ministers and their congregations. You will remember this one long after you finish the last page."
--Multi-published, award-winning Christian author, Julie B Cosgrove
"On one occasion, while driving through my hometown in the Atlanta suburbs, I felt a strong inner urge—no, a push—to stop and offer a ride to man with a briefcase. He got in and told me where he was heading. I noted it was a long way to walk. He said it was, but he had Parkinson's and could not drive. On arrival, he got out and said, 'You just did for me what Jesus would have done.' An unforgettable moment! This book's premise is just that—If we live 'in Him' life will be remarkable and so fulfilling. I encourage you to read it."
--Victor Oliver
"Along with justification by grace through faith, the indwelling Christ was Paul's core understanding of the Christian faith and way. Living a life IN CHRIST is the nature of Christian discipleship. That means we are primarily responsible not TO Christ, but FOR Christ. We are to live as Christ in the world. In this attention gripping novel, In His Place, Harry Griffith provides an exciting picture of one man seeking to live "in His place." If you will read the first few pages, you will not want to put it down; but more important, reading on, the core meaning of Christian discipleship will become crystal clear."
--Maxie Dunnam, Former President, Asbury Theological Seminary and former World Editor of The Upper Room
"There are a number of surprises in this first novel by Harry Griffith. First the positive and honest portrait of a sincere, but very human, pastor. One sees that so seldom in the media and modern literature. Next crisis after crisis suddenly appear and take both the pastor and the reader by surprise and move the plot along with increasing tempo. Lastly, mixed in throughout the book, we find theology and practical challenge for both the individual Christian reader and for any Christian congregation. By all means give this book a read and take the challenge."
--Rt. Rev. John H. Rodgers Jr. (Retired), Dean/President Emeritus Trinity School for Ministry
"Incarnation is a fancy theological word. But what does it really mean? In In His Place, Harry C. Griffith puts flesh and bones to a truth that is central to the Gospel. This novel isn’t just entertaining; it’s motivational. Read it and be inspired."
--Robert Whitlow, Bestselling author of A House Divided
"Through masterful character development, tight writing, and a fast-paced narrative, Harry Griffith packs the pages of In His Place with complexity, poignancy, and truth. The reader weeps to consider the failure of the Church to incarnate Jesus for a lonely old man and then watches as the Body of Christ finds it faith, its feet, and its courage. That Christlike courage is contagious and transformative, but it doesn’t happen in the 15 days recorded in the novel. It happened over 15 years of invested ministry by a pastor who came to understand the truth that to live is Christ and to die is gain."
--Carmen Fowler LaBerge, President, Presbyterian Lay Committee
Chairman, Common Ground Christian Network
"In His Place is a must-read for every church member! It is a captivating story which challenges and inspires, and calls to you from the heart of God."
--The Most Rev'd Dr. Foley Beach
Archbishop and Primate, Anglican Church in North America
Bishop, Anglican Diocese of the South
"I highly recommend In His Place, first as a novel with vivid human interactions by (mostly) likable characters who are thrown into situations that test their Christian commitment. Aside from enjoying the novel, however, I have been unable to shake the question raised by an atheist friend of the pastor. When a lonely member of the parish takes his own life, the atheist wants to know how anyone who belongs to a church can be so alone. In His Place poses a challenge for all church-going Christians. Are we really acting in His place?"
--Charlotte Hays, coauthor of Being Dead Is No Excuse, frequent contributor to the National Catholic Register
Griffith (­Discovering My Ministry) offers a contemporary update to Charles Sheldon’s 1898 classic In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? Readers will share Pastor Steve’s self-doubt, his desire to educate, and his love of the Lord. Recommended for church book groups.
Wow. Never before has a book grabbed me so tightly from the start, and not let go until the very last page. Griffith lays it all out in the beginning, holding nothing back. The subject matter is something we all have seen at some point in our churches, but rarely is it talked about or discussed. In His Place is a moving novel that is sure to inspire readers to reevaluate how they view others within their own church (and outside of the church as well).
