"Turner has provided the church with a guide to one of the most crucial challenges of our time. The task of raising disciples of Christ is and always has been central to the life of the Christian community. Turner lays out a theological rationale and a biblical foundation for a response to Jesus's call to 'follow me.'"
-James H. Evans, Professor Emeritus, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
"This book is a resource for churches that seek to remain relevant in an always changing world. Readers are invited to view discipleship as a practice of ministry that takes seriously the collective growth and maturity of all peoples."
-Angela D. Sims, President, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
"This book provides a much-needed contribution to do what Turner states as 'practice in the church.' . . . These days, when church leadership is being demonized by the commodification of materialism and the lusty lures of sensationalism, we need an ecclesiastical recalibration of the church's primary ministry: making disciples. Thank you, Turner, for providing us with a roadmap toward recovering the Christian mandate of 'go into the world and make disciples.'"
-Alvin C. Bernstine, Pastor, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Richmond, California
"Pastors are often encouraged when membership numbers or attendance increases, but deepening discipleship among members is a different challenge. The desire to deepen one's faith happens more readily, in the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit, when teachers have the quality tools they need to help them help persons under their care deepen their faith. Turner reminds us that teaching was Jesus' first love. Effective teaching touches the learner's heart and is essential, particularly now in this world with its many distractions and challenges that can vex even the most seasoned follower of Christ. Knowing who God is and how we are called to move in this world is not automatically understood; it must be taught. Turner provides essentials for teachers, lay, and clergy to strengthen themselves as they equip others to actively live out their faith in the world. This is an obligation all ministers must fulfill. Toward that hope, I recommend Turner's work and endorse his book as a wonderful tool for teachers, preachers, and any follower of Christ.
-Cheryl F. Dudley, Regional Minister, American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York
"Many books exist on discipleship. However, in this book, Turner challenges the church to reexamine the theological foundations for making disciples of all men and women. This book calls the church to change the focus of her concept of ministry. Jesus did not send the church forth into the world to make converts, but rather to make disciples. When a church makes disciples, that church is well armed in sending forth those who know how to reach and teach others to follow Jesus. This is Turner's major argument, and the church would do well to heed it."
-Allen Paul Weaver Jr., Pastor, Bethesda Baptist Church, New Rochelle, New York
"In this narrative, Turner has captured the true essence of what Jesus called the church to do: 'Go make disciples.' Turner's insightful look at the reality of ministry will cause the church to reevaluate its mission and focus on making disciples. I'm honored to write this endorsement and pray for the success of this book."
-Carl Washington, Pastor, New Mount Zion Baptist Church, New York