The 'good news' of Jesus, properly understood, will change the world. Jesus was clear: Love God, love your neighbor as you love yourself. We have separated the holistic teaching of Jesus into two categories, word and deed, creating a dualism that leaves neither side with the full story.This book grew out of research, but it is practically focused on helping the Church see its role in the transformation of society by caring for its neighbors. It is a multi-faceted argument, looking at Evangelical and church history to guide the present, modern developmental practices to assist strategy and a socio-rhetorical examination of James 2 to anchor it all in Scripture. All in all, the goal is to encourage the church to retrieve its mantle and reach a lost world by holistically bringing transformation--both physical and spiritual--through the power of the gospel. Tim grew up in Scotts, Michigan, wandering off to Virginia as a 17-year-old to study and run. After a stint in Law School, he met his wife, Leslie, and eventually settled in Blacksburg, Virginia as an entrepreneur, part-time track coach, and Church youth leader while Leslie practiced veterinary medicine. In 2003 they moved to Cape Town, South Africa, with two young boys that began an adventure that continues to this day.Tim earned an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Pretoria and serves as General Director of Scripture Union South Africa along with serving on an eldership team at Commonground Church. Leslie volunteers at a local township school teaching Maths and running afterschool Bible clubs, amongst a million other things. Their two sons grew up in South Africa: James married Mackenzie and lives in Virginia, and William lives in Cape Town.
