Ray Johnston - Jesus Called – He Wants His Church Back: What Christians and the American Church are Missing

Praise for Jesus CalledHe Wants His Church Back

We love Ray Johnston, and his new book reminds us of what the church was meant to be from the very beginning.

MARK BURNETT AND ROMA DOWNEY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, BEN-HUR, UNITED ARTISTS MEDIA GROUP

At a time when everyone is trying to be nonoffensive to please the masses, its refreshing to hear from a man like Ray who is bold enough to say it like it is.

FRANCIS CHAN, AUTHOR OF CRAZY LOVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

I know you; you believe in Jesus and make it to church... when you can. Ray Johnstons latest sharing will reset you and your church to be vibrant, alive, and engaging like never before. Jesus Called will also fill in the gaps in your walk and show how you can enjoy Him even more.

MIKE NOVAK, PRESIDENT/CEO, K-LOVE & AIR 1 RADIO

Ray Johnston is a thriving leader, a thriving visionary, and one who is a champion of a revolutionary and thriving church. In this book readers will be challenged to rethink the church and Christ for greater kingdom advancement in a broken world in need of real life transformation. Take this challenge and run with it.

EFREM SMITH, PRESIDENT/CEO, WORLD IMPACT, AND AUTHOR, THE POST-BLACK AND POST-WHITE CHURCH

Ray Johnston shines a bright light on the kind of heart and passion that produces the kind of church where Jesus isnt just talked about but where he actually shows up. With wisdom and practical advice that flows out of decades of powerful local church ministry, he critiques, encourages, and empowers church leaders and members to invite Jesus to once again sit at the head table.

LARRY OSBORNE, AUTHOR AND PASTOR, NORTH COAST CHURCH, VISTA, CA

Ray Johnston doesnt just preach authentic Christianityhe lives it. Jesus Called is a thought-provoking and encouraging look at what the body of Christ should and can be in this dark and desperate culture.

JIM DALY, PRESIDENT, FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Jesus Called is an answer to prayer that Im already putting into practice. Ray Johnston does a masterful job of showing the true picture of the church as a vibrant, relevant, uncompromising agent of change in our world. I love this book, and I know you will too. Get ready to be transformed in your thinking.

DALE C. BRONNER, PASTOR, WORD OF FAITH CATHEDRAL, ATLANTA, AND AUTHOR, CHANGE YOUR TRAJECTORY

Ray Johnston is a living and loving example of a compassionate leader who wants you to meet the Jesus that most people miss. You will discover the true meaning of the greatness of the Christian journey, and you will not want to live any other way. The pages are filled with prescriptions to remedy what Christians are missing.

DAVID E. BIXBY, PRESIDENT, AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

Ray Johnstons Jesus Called is moving and motivating, a consummate achievement.

LEONARD SWEET, AUTHOR; E. STANLEY JONES PROFESSOR OF EVANGELISM, DREW UNIVERSITY; PROFESSOR, GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY AND TABOR COLLEGE; CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR, PREACHTHESTORY.COM

Throughout scripture, Gods prophets used their gift to inspire and encourage people simply to do what God created them to do. Ray Johnstons book is a prophetic call to American churches today, and really to Christians throughout the world, simply to do what Jesus told us to do. Im pleased to endorse Jesus Called and hope youll read it, then do it!

DOUG BEACHAM, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH

As I read Jesus Called, I found myself convicted, inspired, and helped. Its filled with useful information, helpful analyses, and inspiring stories. But, on a deeper level, as I read the book, I heard Jesus calling to my heartthe inner chamber where dreams and visions are too easily covered over by fear and complacencywith the words, I want my church back. Even more, Doug, I want you back.

DOUG MEYE, DEVELOPING PASTORS LEAD, TRANSFORMATION MINISTRIES

As a skilled architect, Ray Johnston examines and exposes the cracks in the foundation of the church Jesus promised to build. With practical and prophetic accuracy, he almost painfully uncovers the flaws in the efforts of the church to remain faithful to the evangelistic enterprise of the kingdom of our Lord. Johnston challenges the church to stand firm and in power on the original design of the Master and to receive new applications to the Masters original revelation.

KENNETH C. ULMER, FORMER PRESIDENT, THE KINGS UNIVERSITY, AND SENIOR PASTOR/TEACHER, FAITHFUL CENTRAL BIBLE CHURCH, LOS ANGELES, CA

My friend Ray Johnston has written what will be his bestselling book ever. This is the book he was destined to write. Ray is a lover of Jesus and a lover of the church that was meant to be. Many of us still love Jesus but are pretty ticked off at His bride. Ray had me at the first paragraph and never let me go. Read this book and fall in love with Jesus and His church all over again. Im hoping every student in my school and every Christian in the nation will read this book.

JOHN JACKSON, PRESIDENT, WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSITY, AND AUTHOR, LEVERAGING YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE

Ministering with compassion and working with governments shows us that to make a national impact, either spiritually or politically, the church must return to our first loveJesus and His Word. I applaud Ray Johnston for encouraging and urging us further ahead in order to get us back to the simple words of Jesus.

DOUG STRINGER, FOUNDER, SOMEBODY CARES INTERNATIONAL, HOUSTON, TX

Jesus Called is a book that comes from the heart of a pastor who loves Jesus church. Its intent is not to bash and tear down what some are doing but to encourage all of us to try to be what God desirescommunities that love Jesus and live like Him. I have personally benefitted from my friend Rays heart of encouragement, and now we all can! I loved the book. Rays call is for all of us to take a step toward Jesus and see what He unleashes in us. May we have the courage to be faithful to this beautiful challenge to answer Jesus call.

STEVE CLIFFORD, PASTOR, WESTGATE CHURCH, SARATOGA, CA

Ray Johnston is a high-energy Christ follower. In Jesus Called, he energizes readers to live more significant lives by being obedient to the words and works of Jesus. What could be more simpleor more challenging? I recommend this book to churchgoers and to pastors everywhere.

GARRETT BOOTH, PASTOR, GRACE CHURCH, HOUSTON, TX

This fascinating missive hugs the highway of foundational Christian truth while brilliantly navigating the twists and turns of religion and tradition, ultimately reaching its destination: the love of Christ and His plan for the church from the beginning. Bold, thought provoking, compelling; a must-read for believer and unbeliever alike!

K. FRANCIS SMITH, LEAD PASTOR, KINGDOM BUILDERS COVENANT CHURCH, CONYERS, GA

Everything Ray Johnston leads his church to do is about touching lives with the love of the gospel. In Jesus Called, he shows how anytime we take our eyes off of Jesus, things deteriorate. Through indifference, ignorance, and neglect of Jesus, the church has been marginalized. When a church reveals Jesus love so the world can see Him, the mission of the original church becomes clear.

G. HENRY WELLS, DMIN, DD, PASTOR EMERITUS, FAIR OAKS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SACRAMENTO, CA

Pastor Ray is one of the most gifted pastor/leaders I have known in more than forty years of ministry. He loves people and Gods church. And he has done it again! What his book The Hope Quotient does for the disheartened and down, his new book, Jesus Called, can do for Christians and churches. Read it, digest it, and take its challenge to heart. The future direction of the church is at stake.

JACK HAMILTON, EXECUTIVE PASTOR, HIGH DESERT CHURCH