Streetwalking with Jesus

Book:  Streetwalking with Jesus

Author:  John Green

For over two decades John Green's vocation has been ministering to inner city men on the margins of society in downtown Chicago.


Green didn't set out to be another Dorothy Day or Mother Teresa, and would be quick to tell you he hasn t become one. A product of middle class, church-going comfort and values, he heeded God's challenge to found Emmaus Ministries, which serves some of the modern-day lepers that are in our midst. Struck by the words of Micah 6:8 and the act of a homeless man who gruesomely ended his life in Green's presence, Green vowed to constantly ask himself: How can I live justly? To whom do I show mercy? How may I walk humbly with God?

Deacon Green's lessons learned regarding these hard questions are set against stories of men who struggle to escape poverty, addiction, and sexual sin while encountering Christ in the process. But this book is much more than the account of how one ministry combats a social problem to which most of us wish to remain blind. It is about finding joy in service to others and experiencing love in reaching out to the suffering, all under the shelter of God's unconquerable, abiding love.

Yes, Streetwalking with Jesus will sober you, but with links to evocative songs, a scripture selection to reflect upon, discussion questions, and a prayer at the end of every chapter, you ll come away challenged and inspired to live a deeper, more missional life.
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First Line;  Meeting & walking with male prostitues might seem far from the road to Emmaus that Jesus walked after his resurrection.

"Under the Overpass" is one of my favorite books so when I saw this title & knew it was a story about a Christian going into the streets to help the homeless, I was intrigued.  I didnt realize it was a story of a man who had a heart mainly to help men in prostitution... I didnt even realize that existed.  I learned about myself that I am in the group of "learned blindness" that the author talks about...

This book is really great.  First - it touches in 3 different sections on Micah & how we are to act justly, love mercy & to walk humbly with our God... & it breaks it down into how this man is doing it in his mission to help these people that see no God in their life.

Its an easy to read book, in the sense that its an "everyday" kinda talk.  Like you can imagine this man sitting down & telling you these stories face to face... not easy in the sense that some of these stories are TOUGH.

I especially love at the end of every chapter, there is a moment to stop... reflect.... John's wife is a musician & she has written songs that you can go & listen to after each chapter... & there are scriptures or quotes that reflect on the thought of that chapter... then questions for you to reflect personally.  Because of that - I think it would be a great "study" for college kids - those who are ready to change the world.

This is a book that I wrote down MANY MANY quotes from as well... powerful thoughts... (that is one reason why I have started using Goodreads.  You can write down quotes there)

My Rating:  5 skeins ... was going to give it a 4, but the end of the chapter reflections made me go ahead & give it a 5

Last:  Perhaps God is begging us to remain.