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Endorsements & Reviews:
Dr. David Eubanks, President Emeritus, Johnson Christian University:
“I am pleased to recommend Randy Childress’ A.I.M. FOR HIGH GROUND. It springs from a long and successful ministry of the gospel, is based on some of Randy’s intriguing, real-life experiences, is extremely interesting and captivating and will be a genuine help to young preachers facing similar interpersonal challenges as well as all of us who desire to minister to people in need of spiritual direction.”
John W. Maurice, President of Mid-Atlantic Christian University:
“I feel it would be helpful for young men called to ministry. Real-life experiences that provide positive instruction for all to learn from. I gave the book to our ministry professor.”
Christy Barritt, award-winning author:
“Randy speaks with truth and humility through the pages of this book. His heart for the church and for those in ministry is obvious through the stories and lessons he shares. His book is a great guide for anyone working in the church now or anyone who hopes to in the future. Not only that, but I have the privilege of knowing Randy through the church where my husband serves as a youth minister. Randy has an outstanding reputation and a heart for leading others to Christ. I highly recommend this book.”
Dr. Charles Stone, pastor and author of six books
"With decades of a faithful marriage and faithful ministry behind him, Randall has compiled a powerful collection of moving stories that will encourage you. Whether you are in vocational ministry or aspire to be, your heart will be touched. The chapters end with powerful insights on living a faithful Christian life as well as a set of challenging questions for leaders. Read this book and be blessed."
Koby Kimhy, Israeli guide, Jerusalem:
“Randy's engaging journey through ministry leadership concludes with the story of Ethan and the importance of how every Christian should travel to the Holy Land, and every pastor must, so that they may experience the Bible through site and touch to reach a new level of understanding and commitment to faith.”
AMAZON REVIEWS
Michael Kiergaard
4.0 out of 5 stars Real-life stories and practical application.
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Randy Childress tells stories about ministry as if he is sitting across the table drinking a cup of coffee with you. Homespun charm coupled with practical application makes this a great read for ministers and church leaders. Having been personally acquainted with Randy and his ministry in Virginia Beach, I can confirm that he is as authentic and genuinely caring as this book makes clear. I highly recommend it.
A must read for both people desiring to enter the ministry as well as leadership roles.
August 31, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is well written, and insightful. The sections at the end of each chapter help focus the lesson the chapter illustrates. The author allows the reader to become involved with the characters in the chapters by providing brief, but well scripted story backdrops. I found myself engaged and at times emotionally involved.
Adam G.
Great light reading for moment/ much to consider for later
September 3, 2019
I loved the simplicity of the reading but the depth of the accounts and witness. Sometimes authors try to become bigger than the message and that is always rather obvious. This author humbly shares his own authentic struggles and triumphs through Christ and leaves much for the reader to consider including things about verses that I thought I had already thoroughly understood.
Thomas P.
July 28, 2019
Well-written, informative book that would be a great study book for church staff and members alike. It is written by a retired minister of a church we have attended for many years. Randy Childress is a man of integrity and well-respected in the community. This book does not disappoint.
Marvin G.
The excellent unveiling a mans life experiences and how he applied it as a minister!
August 11, 2019
The real life experiences of a modern day Minister and his approach to a balance of scripture and real applications in todays world!
I was fortunate to have known Randy for over 30 years and witness his ministry at KCC!
Valuable lessons for every leader to know!
August 12, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned some valuable lessons to apply as a women's ministry leader. Thank you for writing this book Randy!
A "must-read" for church leaders and Bible college students
August 9, 2019
As a Bible college student from 1995-1999, my goal was to be adequately prepared to enter into full-time vocational ministry. Aside from the internship requirement my junior year of college, most of what I learned was academic in nature (theology, doctrine, homiletics, languages, etc.) Though I loved and still appreciate my Alma Mater, nothing in the classroom truly prepared me for "real-life" ministry from a practical standpoint. I entered into my first ministry with a certain naivety about what the role of a minister was and wasn't. I was not adequately trained for the realities that came with the calling; the painful hospital calls and funerals, challenging elder/staff/member relations, capital campaign strategies, confronting sin head-on when necessary, how to know when to implement difficult changes for effectiveness and church growth, navigating conflict between families in the church, and so much more.
Though no one can be fully prepared for the experiences that come along with church leadership until they dive in with both feet, this book can be a TREMENDOUS help and resource for students pursuing vocational ministry. College professors and adjunct faculty facilitating ministry degrees that include this book in their required reading will find the leadership questions at the end of each chapter very poignant and engaging for class discussion. Students will enjoy the storytelling format and benefit from the "lessons learned" at the close of each chapter. It's a must-read for every student pursuing a ministry degree.
I'm forever grateful for my father's mentorship and leadership insight, his long tenure of ministry at one church and his God-given ability to condense over forty-five years of ministry in an enjoyable, easy-to-read format that challenges all of us getting ready to serve or presently serving in Kingdom work.
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Thought Provoking Life Stories
August 14, 2019
Author Randy Childress is an excellent story teller. He has the ability to bring you inside his life experiences as a minister, and makes you feel like you are right there beside him experiencing them too! Each chapter has a new story that not only holds your attention but will capture your heart. Even more...Randy openly shares his feelings and how each of these life events affected him and helped him in his ministry.
I love the format of the book too! At the end of each chapeter Randy shares a list of "What I Learned" and "Leadership Application" questions. Both list gives us much to think about in our own lives of ministry or just being a Christian in a world that need our light and salt.
Amazon customer
August 7, 2019
Randy Childress is an exceptional man who has influenced my life through his ministry. His book is written not only for the leaders of the church, but for the church itself. He includes wonderful real life examples of God’s power and glory. Great read!
John B.
August 29, 2019
Randy’s book has been big big help to me in my ministry I highly recommend this book
Compelling ideas for addressing a variety of real-life situations.
Within the covers of A.I.M. for Higher Ground, any reader will find compelling reading that brings tears to their eyes, both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. The author is a great story teller who captures any reader and puts them deeply into the middle of his story and his thoughts. It is a book filled with real life experiences from which any church leader can find instructive guidance and ideas on how to address a variety of real-life situations that they could easily encounter in their role as a leader.
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