Read what people are saying about The Story Lives: Leading a Missional Revolution:
The Story Lives is the "story of stories"—how they work and how they can work for us—in readable, pastorally-sensitive, and personal prose. In the heart of God's Story is our story and at the heart of our story is the missional summons to enter into God's Story in this world—and The Story Lives will draw you into both God's Story and your story. Well done!
Scot McKnight
Professor of New Testament
Northern Seminary
Lombard, Illinois
"I love this story! Followers of Jesus who already view their life as a mission trip will find this volume to be very helpful in preparing for the trip. Others who are looking for the adventure of a lifetime will find in it a call to live—really live Henriët invites us all to enrich the plot of God's great story of redemption—starting with you!"
Reggie McNeal
Missional Leadership Specialist
Leadership Network
Dallas, Texas
Henriët's book invites us dive into leadership in fresh invigorating ways. Starting from a place of quiet rest with our God, we live into our call immersed in renewal and trust. As we listen for the Holy Spirit's direction from a place of quiet we are equipped to bring our entire team along for the journey. Missional ministry and living flow from a place of deep intimacy with God. I invite you to dwell with Henriët's words and experience transformation.
Rita Nussli
Spiritual Director
Soul Formation
Seattle, Washington
Taking the scary out of missional, this book encourages me to simply live my life and story for Jesus. I had always had the understanding that the word missional and going overseas went together. The Story Lives helps you to understand that, “yes” going overseas is a part of being missional, but it’s not all there is to it. We all can live out our life stories and be missional in our very own communities. This I can do!
Cindy Patterson
Free Methodist Pastor and missional community leader
Redmond, Washington
What an inspiring book! This is a great encouragement that our stories—our lives—matter because we are part of God’s story. No matter where we are in our journey—seekers, young believers, experienced leaders—this book has practical and scriptural guidance for how to live our lives with significance and meaning.
Teresa Gillespie, J.D.
Dean, School of Business and Management
Northwest University
Kirkland, Washington
After decades of serving in churches to spread the good news of Jesus, I have been trained to get people to church. Eugene Peterson’s translation of John 1:14 has challenged me to think differently: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw with our own eyes, the one-of-a kind glory…” To follow Christ’s example, maybe I should go into the neighborhood? But how? I know how to lead Bible studies and serve on church boards, but how do I relate with my community? Henriët Schapelhouman has given us a practical guide on how to do that by discovering our unique “story” and then finding ways, such as volunteering, to become involved in our community! I (we) need this book!
Robert Freeman
Associate Dean for MAGL
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, California
We live in a world that wants to know whether Christianity is "for real." In this sense we are hungry for the stories of those who are living incarnationally. This book takes us into those stories and helps us to realize how we too can become a part of the story, impacting our world. You will want to dig into each chapter and find where you might be in the process of living out your story! Thank you Henriët for bringing us this resource.
Carla Sunberg
President
Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Henriët Schapelhouman’s passion to see Christ followers unleashed to serve the world and the church set free from harmful paradigms comes through loud and clear in The Story Lives. A must read for anyone serious about their faith and living out what it means to be authentically Christian.
Matt Whitehead
Superintendent
Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church
Seattle, Washington
In this life-giving work, Henriët Schapelhouman has captured the elements of a holistic gospel flowing from the heart of our holistic God who is passionate about people becoming whole–the way He created us to be. The powerful reminder that the message of God to the world is truly relational and best heard and understood through the stories of life is both magnetic and compelling. It draws the hungry heart to fullness; and it sends the growing life to completion. Studying doctrine is easy. Living the story of Christ through you is transformational.
Kevin W. Mannoia
Professor and Chaplain, Azusa Pacific University
Founder and Chair, Wesleyan Holiness Consortium
Azusa, California
This book advocates a holistic approach to missional life and service. While “Lone Ranger” approaches to mission and evangelism have been common in the past, Schapelhouman comprehensively argues for a countercultural approach to mission from biblical and theological perspectives. She challenges the church to live in authentic community, engaging the broader community through genuine care and strong relational connections. The need to develop a Kingdom perspective for local mission where churches and para-church organizations work collaboratively within their context is eloquently argued, and practical suggestions to accomplish this goal are provided. Schapelhouman’s work resonates with me personally having seen and experienced the fruits of such a Kingdom approach in our city in Australia. The issues presented in this book align closely with many of the spiritual formation and leadership development principles used in the early Celtic missional communities of the 5th century, and these communities evangelized the nation of Ireland. Kingdom principles do work! I believe this book will challenge ministry paradigms and provide impetus for future holistic missional engagement.
Ronald G. Hannaford, Ph.D.
Director of Distance Learning
Biola University
La Mirada, California
This book is important in helping recapture the critical piece of community that has often been compartmentalized as in church life. Schapelhouman rightly gives a sound basis and fruitful counsel on how to rethink and reshape ministry based upon community.
Matthew A. Thomas
Bishop
Free Methodist Church USA
Spokane, Washington
Henriët has shown us easy ways to reach out to one’s community and by example teach people to love ones neighbor as they love themselves. With the world in conflict, the need to teach how to care for each other is of utmost importance. It is the answer to the violence that seems to be growing in the world. Her book will help one find creative ways to get involved with community.
Raymond Vath, MD
Redmond, Washington
I found it thought provoking, Henriët’s personal story extremely interesting and the personal stories very inspiring. Whatever one’s political leanings are there is something to be gained and learned from this book. I highly recommend it. It left me feeling full of joy after reading it!
Nancy Wiley
I love how this book unpacks how to live out my faith in real ways. It gives proof that God cares deeply about my uniqueness, my story, and how I can use it to find my purpose. Thanks to the author for dispelling notions that God only operates in the confines of church. Rather, she reminds us that our original example—Jesus—lived out God’s wishes in the world.
Deb Kiral
Duvall, Washington
Henriët’s book encapsulates “the story behind the story” that each person’s life offers. There is so much that we as individuals can do to plant seeds and change lives, one story at a time. Thank you, Henriët, for memorializing what it means to be missional, and to emulate living a life that will make a lasting difference for decades to come.
Deanna M. Richards
Redmond, Washington
Henriët captures the heart of missional leadership through her combination of story, biblical support and visionary thinking. Her process begins with observing the challenge to become a missional leader as she continues to bring the clarion call for developing a life of meaning through aligning with God’s original design.
Henriët’s book ends with a call to, “Go and tell,” the very strategy Jesus used when he called his followers to,“Go and make disciples.” We must follow the call to,“Go and tell.” In our 21st postmodern, global culture, use of story is an excellent vehicle for accomplishing our mission!
Tamara J. Buchan
Pastor and author
“Identity Crisis”
Santa Rosa, California
As a Christian, trying to find my way in my life, this book is giving me great guidance. I am not alone. I have purpose and value. I love Henriët’s direct and honest approach. Real. Solid. Authentic.
Susan I. Newland
Redmond, Washington
