McManus Erwin Raphael - Bloodline

This is a powerful story that graphically illustrates the effect on young people, and especially young men, of the absence of a father in a household. Too many of our young people have no father figure and the results are disastrous! We know the absolute importance of a caring adult in every childs life. Young men with no father figure in their lives are at great risk in the world. They must have an adult to model themselves on and who provides guidance in their lives. We at Americas Promise Alliance are working to help young people graduate from high school, ready to take the next step to prepare them for the work force. We stress the importance of that caring adult in a young persons life. Someone who cares; someone to listen; someone who has faith in you. It gives the individual a strength to over come the in equities that life brings. It is the key to success.

ALMA POWELL, Chair, Americas Promise Alliance

John Turnipseeds story shows how a changed heart will shift what you think of your self and the impact you can have. I thank God for you, John Turnipseed, for sharing your story, for allowing Jesus to change your heart, and for you deciding to love and lead others to be the best they can be. Im calling all the John Turnipseed-types forward. Let the shifting begin. It is time to change the world, your state, your city, your community, your hood, your street, your family, and your life. But it starts with you. Go all in and finish the race. We all need you.

SHAUN ALEXANDER, NFL MVP, award-winning author of Touchdown Alexander and The Walk

Based on his tragic, troubled background, its a miracle John Turnipseed is where he is today. His story is a clear example of the power of fathersthe chaos that happens when they drop the ball, the blessing that comes when they do whats right, and most of all, the healing found in the arms of the heavenly Father. You will be inspired by Johns story: his courage to rise above his circumstances, his teachable spirit, and his ultimate surrender to a God who is greater than all the troubles and shortcomings in our lives.

CAREY CASEY, CEO, National Center for Fathering

I am drawn to stories of people overcoming adversity. Stories of the human spirit rising above and conquering over the struggles, hardships, and downright hell and we all encounter at some point during our lifes journey. This is what attracted me to Johns story and the reason I wanted to play his part in the Turnipseed movies. Hearing, reading, and seeing these types of stories motivate me to keep fighting and to keep the faith when I go through struggles. If you are at all like me, then just one chapter of Johns life will do the same for you.

LAWRENCE GILLIARD, Jr., American Character Actor and Hollywood Movie Actor

I starting reading this book and couldnt stop. What a powerful and well-written story. The story of John Turnipseed is one that should be read and deeply studied by all who have a call to the transformation of urban lives and communities. John Turnipseeds trials, testimony, and transparency shed a bold light on the historic and present challenges facing too many urban, under-resourced, and high-risk families. There is still much work to be done to address the pain and violence connected to so many fatherless young men. This story inspires me to stay the path of the transformation, healing, and empowerment of the urban poor and disenfranchised.

EFREM SMITH, President/CEO of World Impact Author of The Hip Hop Church and The Post-Black and Post-White Church

It is far easier to lock up and put away criminal offenders than to understand the root causes of their behavior and offer them a path of redemption. In this enormously relevant and personal story, John Turnipseed openly utilizes his own historic, egregious behavior to guide the reader to those root causes and then offers that redemptive path. Bloodline offers great hope for transformation of our prisons.

JAY BENNETT, Chairman, Halftime

This is a powerful story of transformation about a man convicted in flesh by his sins yet redeemed in spirit by a conviction from Christ. Thank you Mr. Turnipseed for this amazing testimony of redemption. Your life provides hope to all of us that second chances are possible when we accept the healing grace of God.

DR TOM BLEE, HealthPartners

One lives life forward and understands it backwards. This book decodes a life truly transformed. For many, their lives speak volumes. Johns life roars with unspeakable adversity and amazing perspective. A must-read for anyone seeking insight and true wisdom.

PHIL STYRLUND, CEO, The Summit Group

John Turnipseed is a living witness and example of the transformational power of Jesus Christ. Johns life experiences have made him an excellent candidate to speak into the life and brokenness of our communities due to the cycle of crime and culture of rebellion. One of the things that I have come to admire about John is his commitment to his family. Because Johns heart is to see people restored, his bloodline runs deeper than his family of origin. Through his work at the Center for Fathering, John has added members to his family countless beyond number. He has become a father to many, a brother to others, and a source of inspiration to all who know him.

QUOVADIS MARSHALL, National Director, Restorative Church Coalition of Prison Fellowship Ministries

John Turnipseeds powerful story reminds us that no person is beyond salvationno matter how desperate or deplorable his life and no matter for how long. When he found God, he also found forgiveness, hope, and purpose; moreover, his life has become an inspirational example of redeeming faith, love of family, and a passionate commitment to serving others. Bloodline shows us that its not only possible to break the cycle of poverty, crime, and despair in successive family generations, its also necessary to do so, for the sake of all our children now and yet to come.

BILL MILLIKEN, Founder of Communities In Schools and Author of From the Rearview Mirror

Bloodline by John Turnipseed is an important read in understanding a portion of our society. Some families and communities are a breeding ground for a life of crime. Twenty-five percent of all the incarcerated people in the world are right here in the United States. John Turnipseed was a criminal, serving time in juvenile and adult institutions. He honestly and bravely lays out his whole criminal record and his much later spiritual, moral, and behavioral renewal during his change to a man of integrity and responsible citizenship.

John is my friend of many years. It hurts to read those experiences of his criminal years since I know him only in the years in which he has yielded himself to the sanctifying grace of Jesus Christ. I have watched the impact of Art Ericksons loving skills ever since John came to Urban Ventures. From this book you might share my revulsion of his confession of his criminal life in community and in state penal institutions.

Who is at fault? Will others come to my conclusions? I will name two; the fathers and the penal institutions themselves.

Here is an enlightened account by a person who has gone through it all as a criminal leader and is now an honest, outgoing leader in his communityreaching out to lead others, young and older, into righteousness and responsibility. Read and answer this question: Can you forgive and encourage such a person as John Turnipseed?

AL QUIE, Minnesota Congressman and Governor

When I was a police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department, I knew John Turnipseed during his life of crime. He remembers that I arrested him once. Decades later, Turnipseed has expressed gratitude to all law enforcement officers for holding him accountable for his actions. He values the consequences he received.