Books: Women Who Risk: Secret agents for Jesus in the Muslim world

What is Jesus doing in the Middle East and how can we relate? We’ve all heard stories about Muslims having visions of ‘the man in white’, but is there really an awakening and does it affect us?

Flame knows first-hand from their ministry to people from these nations that the answer is a resounding ‘yes!’, and this book packs a punch to take you into the heart of lives that
have been utterly transformed by Jesus Christ.

Women Who Risk by Tom and Joann Doyle is the remarkable collection of personal accounts of former Muslim women in the Middle East who have abandoned Islam and turned to follow Jesus. The Doyles’ dedication to bring the Gospel in hard-to-reach places has enabled them to write several books full of stories of new believers who were ready to die for their faith in Jesus. ‘Women Who Risk’ is a continuation of these gripping testimonies, but with the unveiling of Jesus’ strategic pursuit of the unsuspecting homemakers in this region. They describe women as the ‘spiritual gatekeepers of Islam’; when they turn to faith in Jesus, entire families follow more easily. These courageous women are an unstoppable force for the Kingdom of God because they demonstrate that what is changed cannot be contained. Since they risked everything to follow Jesus, they live with boldness and joy.

The authors take us through seven captivating stories of women who find themselves at the feet of Jesus in the most astounding ways and conclude with practical takeaways and offer steps to get involved with their ministries. It is an exhilarating read, revealing the horrors and darkness of Islam and the breathtaking journey into living hope with Jesus.

This book will challenge your faith and what it means to ‘take up your cross’. There is nothing lukewarm about the lives of these women and families. They know life and death. They know truth and lies. They know light and darkness because they have lived it. They know the power of Jesus and of the word of God because they have hungered so desperately as if their lives depended on it.

But these are more than stories from a distant land; this is a journey to go deeper into the heart of God. The chasm between me, a homeschooling mum of four, and these brave middle Eastern women, is too much for words, yet Jesus connects us in spirit. While I will never suffer the cruelty and misery these women have endured and most likely never encounter Jesus to the extent of supernatural visitation that they have, what struck me was the closeness I felt with my sisters and the tangibleness of Our Saviour. Throughout the book, Jesus’ kindness penetrated my heart and stirred
hope as barriers of Satan’s kingdom broke down.

One woman ends her story with these words, “I had an empty heart and wish someone had told me about Jesus years ago. That’s why I tell everyone about Him now. My life is in danger, but I don’t care. I only want to follow my Saviour and be faithful. That is my goal in life… Be sure of this: Islam is imploding. Muslims have never been more open to Jesus.” (p96)

Jesus is moving in the Muslim world in supernatural and miraculous ways as the hearts of these people are ripe to receive the Gospel of life. This book is not only for people who have (or want to have) their finger on the pulse about how Jesus is invading the Middle East, but for anybody who needs an injection of faith and a sobering wake-up to expand their experience of God and His growing Kingdom. The gripping stories will leave you on the edge of your seat and invigorate your faith as the women’s lives convey the Gospel so clearly and pull us firmly into the unshakable arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.