Dragon Ride: True Stories of Adventure, Miracles, and Evangelism from China (True Stories of Faith and Evangelism from China) - Softcover

Jacob, Grace

Softcover

ISBN 10: 069287917X ISBN 13: 9780692879177

Publisher: XP, 2017

Synopsis

Twenty-year-old Peter, when threatened with incarceration in a mental institution for his faith, refused to let Grace fight for his release. “If leaving me in the mental institution will further the gospel, then leave me there!”

The first time Doris, an orthodox Buddhist, heard about Jesus, she whispered to Grace, “Don’t tell anyone that Jesus died for us. This will be our secret!”

The police were interrogating 19-year-old Hope every few days—pressuring her to disclose Grace and Justin’s ministry to university students. With tears in her eyes, she told Grace and Justin, “I’ll never betray you two, no matter what they do to me!”

Leah, an idol-worshipper, longed to become a Christian, but she was afraid. “If I believe in Jesus, the gods I worship are going to retaliate. They’ll hurt me really bad. Is Jesus powerful enough to protect me from them?”

In the kick-off meeting of a discussion group Grace was leading for atheist university students, Carol burst out laughing. “Grace, you can’t be serious! You actually believe God exists?”

In Dragon Ride, the beauty of the Lord is seen through the eyes of Buddhists, atheists, idol-worshippers, Muslims, and an animist as they encounter Jesus. Dragon Ride records the actual conversations Grace had with her friends, and many of them embraced Christ as the answer to their deepest longings.

Grace writes about persecution, evading the police, saving lives, helping the homeless and disabled, and she even writes about the murder of a friend. But more importantly, she writes of a God who acts on behalf of His children, of a faith that grew in the crucible of China, and of learning how to effectively share the gospel.

Grace’s stories are raw, personal, and humorous, and she openly shares about her own spiritual struggles and growth.

About this title

About the Author:

Grace Jacob served the Lord (with her husband and two sons) in Hong Kong and Mainland China from 1986-2015, where she was passionate about sharing the gospel in a way that respected the beliefs of her friends. By God’s grace she led many atheists, Buddhists, idol-worshippers, and an animist to the Lord. She speaks the heart languages of her Chinese friends—Cantonese and Mandarin. Grace loves telling a good story, whether around a BBQ with friends, or while speaking on evangelism in front of audiences around the nation. She holds a Bachelor of Biology, and she also holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Grace has been published in Decision magazine. She now lives in the woods in Bend, Oregon with her husband and black cat.

Review:

“Dragon Ride is the most exciting modern mission book I have ever read. It is a lively narration of how God used a former atheist to reach atheists and others in one of the greatest mission fields in the world—China. It is realistic but positive, a God-centered, and God-empowered view of outreach work that will rekindle the desire to reach the “unreachable.” Pastors, youth leaders, teachers, parents, Christian apologists, as well as students, will profit greatly from the techniques learned from three decades of on-the-job experience.”
Norman Geisler, Ph.D.
Apologist and co-author of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

“There are books that we should read, and books that we want to read. This book is a rare blend of both. Grace Jacob has written an important book about her 29 years as a career missionary in China with her husband and family. The stories are riveting, and it is literally a compulsive page-turner. Jacob’s writing style is clear, descriptive and emotionally-accessible, and I could hardly put it down. It challenged me in how I need to address the felt needs of people I want to share Christ with, in my own sphere of influence.”
Dr. John Townsend, New York Times bestselling author, and co-author of Boundaries, from the Foreword

“Buckle your seat belts for an adventure at every turn (of the page) and in multiple dimensions! I could not put it down. Grace, the author and guide to this adventure, has chosen vignette after vignette to immerse you into the ‘not-for-the-faint-of-heart’ challenges and realities of living and working in China and following a God-given north star. And, the adventure is made even more vivid because it is told with truth, grit, wit, wisdom, and heart. Yet it gets better than that because of Grace’s blessed awareness of physical, spiritual, cultural, and biblical contexts. Grace’s battle-tested journey—and the journeys of those she loves—are on view. You’ll be boldly encouraged and inspired to answer God’s call for your own life.”
Dr. Benjamin K. Homan
President, Langham Partnership (formerly John Stott Ministries)

“As an American pastor I’ve always dreamt of spending time in a far-away culture as a gospel carrier ... But the reality is that I probably never will. And yet, after reading Dragon Ride, I feel that I have. I feel as though I’ve been a missionary in China without ever stepping foot on its soil. Every fear, tear, struggle, adjustment, joy, relationship, conversation, and gospel triumph recorded here became mine. Honest, sincere, human, and accessible. I found this work extremely easy to pick up and hard to put down. But what inspired me the most was the gospel-centered intentionality and heart of Grace. She was a woman, a wife, and a mother on mission, to the glory of God. I will be putting this book in the hands of everyone in our church, that we, too, may be diligently committed to tell the good news of him who saves all people everywhere. Evangelistically inspiring!”
David Thompson
Pastor, The Door, Three Rivers, OR

“You will laugh and be inspired as you witness this bold family live out their faith.”
Brenden Bridges
Pastor, Richvale Evangelical Free Church, Richvale, CA

“Having lived for 20 years in China, one observes a range of people who come and go. Some, and rightfully so, are there for only a brief season, know little of the people and culture, and leave with an interesting life experience. A very few others integrate into the culture and become vital contributors to the expansion of God’s kingdom in that great land. The Jacobs are most definitely in the latter category. Observing their lives and ministry was one of the great privileges of our life in Asia.”
Tom Lowder, ThM, PhD

“This is a beautifully written story of a courageous American woman who, along with her husband and two sons, made her home in China for 29 years. It describes her unsettling journey as a young person through atheism, and then traces her extraordinary life in coming to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. Why should any of us pay the cost of being an authentic follower of Jesus? Dragon Ride shows us that a lifetime of overcoming hurts and obstacles in loving obedience to Jesus is never a waste, but is a doorway to the most fruitful, adventurous, and meaningful life possible. This amazing, life-changing story of one who gave up everything for the sake of giving voice to Christ’s culture-embracing love beautifully illustrates the words of Jesus when he said ‘For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.’” (Mark 8:35, NASB)
David Ewert
Pastor Emeritus, New Hope Church, Winston, OR
Ministry Resource, Emmanuel Reformed Church, Castleton, NY

“I never imagined I’d see God moving in a Communist country like China until I got to know Grace and Justin. They worked underground, secretly sharing God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Dragon Ride is an inspiring story of God’s call, his equipping, and his faithfulness to carry out the task.”
Jim Cashwell
Area Director, Charlotte/Knoxville
Joni and Friends International Disability Ministry

“This is a thrilling account of the grace of God demonstrated in the lives of humble servants who were called to a seemingly impossible assignment in China. Justin and Grace Jacob shine with the beauty of Jesus when facing danger, stress, illness, persecution, trials, and spiritual warfare.”
Dr. John H Munro
Senior Pastor, Calvary Church, Charlotte, NC

“Dragon Ride is a well-written and insightful look into the lives of missionaries serving in a creative access country. It is filled with true life experiences shared in an easy-to-read short story format. I also found the author's candid honesty about her personal challenges refreshing, particularly as they demonstrate what God can accomplish through fallible human beings who obey God’s directions and courageously follow him. In short, an inspiring book.”
Dr. Jim Isaacson
Pastor, Portland Avenue Evangelical Free Church, Tacoma, WA.

“When I’m not laughing, crying, or repenting, creepy chills are running down my spine.”
Suzette, a homemaker, while reading Dragon Ride

About this edition

• Publisher: XP
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 069287917X
• ISBN 13: 9780692879177
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 278