About the Book
Facing Danger guides cross-cultural workers through a biblical discussion on risk, providing a spiritual and practical framework for working through cross-cultural risk assessment and management. In this book, Anna E. Hampton discusses:
Four connections related to risk between the Old and New Testaments.
Essential elements of cross-cultural risk assessment and management.
Balancing the tension between the leading of the Holy Spirit, wise stewardship, and God's invitation to risk.
Twelve risk myths often repeated to those who have a cross-cultural calling.
A guide to writing a personal conviction on cross-cultural risk.
Working through a systematic action plan on risk that integrates spirituality, faith, emotions, stewardship, and practical danger assessment.
After living for almost a decade in the high-risk and dangerous environment of Afghanistan, Facing Danger works through how Anna attempted to raise her children without emotional and long-term trauma while simultaneously living out her calling to partner in a divine endeavor in a hostile culture. This is the real world where a biblical understanding of risk must work.
About the Author :
Anna E. Hampton grew up as a farm girl in the Minnesota and felt called to work overseas as a young teen. By her midtwenties, she was in full-time work leading teenagers all over the world. Her husband, Neal, and her began a long-distance courtship across three continents, and after marrying they began raising their family in Afghanistan. She shares God's Word woven with personal experiences from living and working for fifteen years in Afghanistan and the Middle East and over twenty-five years of ministry experiences traveling in almost sixty countries of the world. She writes with a realism and depth from her own trials of facing overwhelming obstacles with faith and joy while also living in challenging environments, all of this while raising three young children with her husband, Neal. Anna holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from Bethel University and a Doctor of Religious Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary. She is a Bible teacher and occasional conference speaker at international women's events in Central Asia, the Middle East, and in the US. Her husband, Neal, and their three teenagers live in the Middle East where they continue to serve cross-cultural workers in closed countries. Stuart Briscoe was born in the north of England in 1930. After leaving school he embarked on a banking career, served in the Royal Marines during the Korean War and at 17 years of age preached his first sermon. Since that time he has ministered on every continent, written more than 40 books, pastored a church for 30 years and founded a media ministry called Telling the Truth which now broadcasts daily worldwide. He has been married to Jill for more than 55 years and has three children and thirteen grandchildren. Stuart and Jill met each other in the context of youth ministry 60 years ago when he was a bank examiner and she was a school teacher. They married and based their life together on the biblical verse, As for me and my household we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24: 15). Individually and together they have written scores of books, pastored a church in the United States for thirty years, and founded Telling the Truth. Now in their eighties they continue to talk to anyone who will listen! They have three children and thirteen grandchildren. Stuart and Jill call suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin their home. When they are not traveling, they spend time with their three children, David, Judy and Pete, and thirteen grandchildren.
Review :
Anna Hampton's book on risk is one of the weightiest books I have ever read on the subject. It is not a textbook, it is not a book on spiritual formation, it is not a theology of suffering, and it is not a guidebook for leaders in times of risk and danger-yet it is all of these and much, much more. This book is a classic for cross-cultural ministry workers in places of risk and danger. It should be required reading. I can't recommend it highly enough. Dr. Laura Mae Gardner Former International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International Author of Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-cultural Ministry This book is a must read for those who are facing decisions about following Jesus into dangerous situations. Charles Schaefer, PhD Coauthor of Trauma and Resilience: Effectively Supporting Those Who Serve God This book will prove invaluable for those planning to serve God in dangerous settings and those who need faith to stand with them. Martin Campbell Principal, EastWest College of Intercultural Studies, New Zealand After reading this book I have more confidence for facing crisis situations and a better understanding of how God's call and risk work together. Leslie Taylor Worker in a Muslim Country Many books either focus on trusting God in the midst of risk or contingency planning to mitigate that risk; this book walks the no-man's-land between those two extremes, the place where so many of us on the field actually live. Pastor to the International Christian Community, Kabul, Afghanistan This is perhaps the most authoritative book in this field. Ronald Brown, DMin Former International Worker, Africa, Senior Associate, Mobile Member Care Team Missions Coach, Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada Her section on rearing children in risk environments is insightful and helpful. Anyone going to or already working in high-risk countries should read this book and honestly assess their motivation, their personal relationship with the Lord, and their biblical understanding of risk. A. G. Psychologist, Member Care Partners Germany I highly recommend this book as a training manual for cross-cultural workers in areas of high risk. Warren Larson, PhD Professor Emeritus, Muslim Studies at CIU and Senior Fellow, Zwemer Center Facing Danger has everything to say to a cross-cultural worker in Pakistan, a pastor in Iraq, or a student leader in a megacity anywhere in the world. Download it, buy it, give it away, and keep it. Emma Dipper Associate Lecturer, All Nations Christian College, UK Facing Danger should be required reading for ministry leaders who send staff to high-risk areas, as well as for individuals who live and work in those locations. David Bochman, PhD Organizational Development, Paraclete Mission Group I would encourage anyone and everyone to read this book. Leny Breur Dutch Coworker and Friend in Afghanistan This will be a book I will utilize for my own as well as organizational discernment as we have staff moving in and out of high-risk regions of the world. Scott E. Shaum Director of Staff Development, Barnabas International Although it is written for cross-cultural work, I have found it also has application for everyone, regardless of where they live or what they do. Rev. Louis Inks Founder, Reign Ministries In Facing Danger, Anna Hampton provides a thoughtful, practical theology and psychology of risk management from the crucible of "living on the edge." The author combines in-depth biblical exegesis about risk, current research, undaunted courage, and a mom's practical wisdom in the kitchen. It provides a rich treasure trove of practical, field-tested wisdom that should not be ignored by helping professionals, as well as organizational leaders and boards. Leonard J. Cerny II, PhD Coauthor CernySmith Assessment
