About the Book
In 1981, Doug Stringer was a fitness instructor running his own exercise studio. He knew there was a God...but he lived as if God didn't exist. Tired of his hypocrisy and disgusted with his life, he sat down one night and prayed, "Lord, if You can use someone like me after all I have done to wound Your heart, I make myself available to You." God listened and immediately started to send needy people to Doug. Runaways. Strippers. Drug addicts. Homeless people. And Doug's ministry, Somebody Cares, was born.
Mending the Net: Bringing Hope in a Hurting World is the story of how one man with a servant's heart was led to help others with the basic necessities of life while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Doug's ministry has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings, now reaching tens of thousands of people around the world who are dealing with personal crises or disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, or floods. Through it all, what has not changed was Doug's firm belief that we are all called to show the lost and hurting that Somebody Cares and be part of the mended net that saves souls with love and compassion.
About the Author :
Doug Stringer is the founder of Somebody Cares America and Somebody Cares International, with chapters, centers, partners, affiliate ministries, and a global coalition and network of organizations and churches impacting communities through prayer initiatives, compassion outreaches, training, and responding in times of crisis, as well as encouraging and equipping leaders globally. Doug is an internationally known author and communicator who speaks to thousands of leaders annually on topics such as compassion evangelism, persevering, courageous and transformational leadership, and community transformation.
With more than thirty-five years in ministry, he has visited numerous communities and nations. Doug has received recognition for the work of Somebody Cares both nationally and globally, including being named by Charisma magazine as one of the Top 12 Newsmakers of 2008 and by Ministry Today in 2014 as one of the 21 Most Influential Ministries of the 21st Century. As an American of Asian descent, he is considered a revivalist at heart, a bridge-builder, and an ambassador for Christ. During a gathering at the Lincoln Memorial in 2016, Doug was among a group of ministry leaders recognized by Dr. Alveda King, the late Bishop Harry Jackson, and others for their many years in the ministry of reconciliation.
Doug served on the Executive Leadership Committee for America For Jesus 2012 held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 2011, he served as the National Church Mobilization Coordinator and local host for The Response, with over 40,000 attendees in Houston, Texas. He has also helped to serve, facilitate, or coordinate similar types of Joel 2 and 2 Chronicles 7:14 Solemn Assemblies across the nation. Doug has served on the boards of many national and international organizations over the years, including the board of the One Star Foundation, appointed by the governor of Texas.
Among other works, Doug authored Mending the Net: Bringing Hope in a Hurting World; It's Time to Cross the Jordan; The Fatherless Generation; Somebody Cares, a Guide to Living Out Your Faith; Born to Die...That We May Live; Hope for a Fatherless Generation; Living Life Well, the Spirit of the Commandments; In Search of a Father's Blessing; and Leadership Awakening: Foundational Principles for Lasting Success. He was also a contributing author on The Revival Study Bible and other publications.
Review :
Doug Stringer has become a leading instrument of harvest in the city of Houston, with a ripple effect reaching out into America and other nations. The heartbeat of his ministry points to the very heart and intentions of God that none should perish.--Scott Hinkle "Founder, Scott Hinkle Outreach Ministries"
Doug Stringer knows what works, for the Lord has given him a blueprint that is transforming the fourth largest city in America and is spreading across the country and the globe. It's time for a marriage of heart commitment to Jesus with the fulfillment found in unity and servanthood. Doug embodies both, and he shares how it can happen to you and your church, too.--Ché Ahn "Senior pastor, Harvest Rock Church"
Doug Stringer lives and writes with an amazing combination of humility and passion. He is not writing from an ivory tower about a theory that sounds good but has no practical relevance. Doug has fought the battles in the trenches. He has sown his life into the lives of men and women from every ethnic and denominational back- ground in the city. The result? God is uniting His church in Houston, and revival is underway.--Jim Herrington "The Leader's Journey"
Doug Stringer understands the correlation between prayer, worship, reconciliation, mercy, ministry, and evangelism as few men I know. He literally does the stuff required by God in Isaiah 58 for the healing of a land. Reading his book is like encountering a flame--it will either enlighten and inspire you, or burn you with shame and conviction, depending on how it finds you.--Jimmy Owens "Author, Heal Our Land"
Doug Stringer was a city reacher before city reaching was cool. His book tells what happens when the church is obedient to carry our heavenly Father's heart for our city. If you are ready to do the will of the Father in your city, you need this book.--Daniel Bernard "Executive director, Somebody Cares Tampa Bay"
The ministry of Somebody Cares and Doug Stringer exemplify the command found in the Good Samaritan story. Obeying this teaching of Jesus, they have gone and continue to "go and do likewise." We are thankful for their servant leadership and for the example they set in doing the Word. We have seen it firsthand and are honored to partner with them.--Larry and Leah Ramirez "Founders, Ask for the Nations"
I have watched Doug over the years literally model the things that are written in this book. Jesus is his model of humility and servitude. His understanding of the life of Christ as a servant, healer, reconciler, and deliverer has made its indelible mark upon the pages of Mending the Net. Read it and it will make its mark upon your heart. This book will help you to move from trying to practice what you preach to preaching what you practice. It's time to manifest the kingdom. This book will help you do just that. If you need practical tools to help you meet felt needs through humility and servitude, watch Doug's life and read this book. You won't find a contradiction. Doug is somebody who cares.--Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin "Senior pastor, Potter's House International Ministries"
In 2012, Somebody Cares and Eden Counseling and Consulting worked closely together to provide support and training to churches after Hurricane Sandy. We have spoken together in several venues since then and Doug has earned my respect and admiration. Doug is very consistently excellent. He speaks, manages, directs, and writes with grace, expertise, and professionalism. He is a great communicator. Doug probably has no idea of the impact he has had on my life and ministry. We interact a few times a year, but he always says something that hits home.
The stories in Mending the Net are inspiring. This book is very important in the context of our current cultural crises. As Doug says in chapter 3, "Each individual, church, or ministry, working together and doing their part, can impact a whole city with the gospel."
He calls us to unite to serve our Lord and our local communities. This is the gospel in action. Doug provides biblical grounding, sound theology, and a track record of results that prove that diverse groups of people can work together when they focus on Christ instead of our differences. Doug has been uniting people for a long time and I know that you will gain insight from Mending the Net into what God wants you to do within your sphere of relationships.--Paul VanValin, Ph.D. "Founder, Eden Leaders Institute"
Somebody Caresis not just another evangelistic strategy. It is a reality in the life of Doug Stringer. His book clearly shows how the love of Christ is the only hope we have to make a difference in our cities in this generation. If you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself, if you want to make a difference in this world, you need to read this book. It will change your life!--Roger Helle "President, Roger Helle Ministries"
Themessageof Somebody Caresis the rallying cry of the Holy Spirit to the bride of Christ today. Doug Stringer is God's mouthpiece to impart this very timely message to the fragmented body of Christ. The message of the "mended net" should convict all of us to tear apart the barriers that we have built around our churches for so long. Do you want to reap a great harvest of souls? If so, hear what the Spirit says to the churches!--Paul Tan "Senior pastor, City Blessing Churches"
This book contains not only the heart of Doug Stringer but also the heart of the Father for the lost. In this hour, when hopelessness and despair are spread through every avenue of media, this book is a good tonic. Somebody Caresdoesn't just point the way of hope, it leads the way. Read it and be inspired. Behave it and be blessed.--Walter Fletcher "Fletchers Counseling, Dallas"
