Ken Harrison - Rise of the Servant Kings: What the Bible Says About Being a Man

Praise for

Rise of the Servant Kings

I have passed the Promise Keepers baton to Ken Harrison with exceeding joy because Ken is a man of the Word and a man of prayer. Never has there been a greater need for men of the Word and prayer because men lead based on who they are. Additionally, Ken has a genuine love for brothers of color and is committed to ensure they are reached, included, and fully involved as Promise Keepers builds an army of godly men. Read this book; it was written by a man of integrity.

B ILL M C C ARTNEY , founder of Promise Keepers and former head football coach at the University of Colorado

No one will ever accuse Ken Harrison, a gritty ex-policeman who now heads Promise Keepers, of pulling any punches in describing the role of a servant king. His message is clear, direct, and on target as he challenges men to accept their responsibility as Christ followers in all arenas of life. Men of all ages will be encouraged by this timely reminder of both the cost and opportunity of authentic manhood.

M ARK B ATTERSON , New York Times best-selling author of The Circle Maker and lead pastor of National Community Church

In Rise of the Servant Kings, Ken Harrison explains clearly what the core qualities of a man of God should be. Since Ken is an expolice officer, he is not afraid to get right to the nitty-gritty in describing how a man can apply the Bibles principles for authentic masculinity in every area of lifefrom personal integrity to marriage to fatherhood to serving his fellow man. If you want a no-nonsense guide to getting manhood right, this is it.

E VANDER H OLYFIELD , four-time world heavyweight champion

Some authors write with ink and some with water. Harrison writes with blood and fire, and his soul-stirring call for men to rise to the challenge of the hour is bold, timely, and heartwarming. If Christian men respond as the promise keepers described here, the world will be a different and better place.

O S G UINNESS , author of The Call: Finding and Fulfilling Gods Purpose for Your Life

Because Im a woman, I dont usually read books about being a man, but my husband was reading Kens book and was so enthusiastic that I wanted to know what set this book apart. Kens stories captivated me. His honesty inspired me. The book pulses with masculinity, yet God spoke to me, a woman! Im buying Rise of the Servant Kings for every man in my life!

L INDA D ILLOW , author of Intimate Issues, Calm My Anxious Heart, and other books

Masculinity, as God designed it, isnt toxic. Rather, its good, life giving, courageous, and sacrificial. There were times while reading this book when I felt as if Ken were in my face! It was uncomfortable, but what he says is spot-on. I know Ken loves Christ, cares about the right things, and is passionate about seeing Gods kingdom advance. The truth he speaks is truth men need to hear.

J OHN S TONESTREET , president of the Colson Center and coauthor of A Practical Guide to Culture

Ken has captured the biblical mandate of manhood. In a world of putting self first, he encourages men to be servant leaders both to their fellow man and to their God.

L T. G EN. ( R ET.) W ILLIAM G . B OYKIN , US Army

Scripture teaches and history affirms that our greatest kings and leaders have strong and loving hearts that beat to serve God, their families, and humanity. Ken writes and leads by example.

A LVEDA K ING , evangelist, author, and activist at www.alvedaking.com

You may have heard the statement that being male is a matter of birth, but being a man is a matter of choice. Ken Harrison challenges us to the next level, that being a man of God means choosing to live proactively, courageously, and humbly. Masterfully blending deep theological insight with fascinating experiences as part of the LAPD, Ken addresses with sledgehammer force the key issues men struggle with. This book will arrest your heart to choose living out your true design as a servant king!

A LAN P LATT , leader of Doxa Deo and City Changers Global

Ken Harrison is the kind of person he writes about. Hes a man of character and conviction, and much of his book calls us to a similar path. Im thankful that Rise of the Servant Kings will encourage men to be who God has called them to be.

E D S TETZER , executive director of the Billy Graham Center and dean of the School of Mission, Ministry, and Leadership at Wheaton College

There are many voices speaking to us of manhood today. Ken Harrisons is unique among them. It sounds forth from his gritty years as an LA cop, his inspiring business experience, and his hard-won victories as a leader of men. He is streetwise and biblical, humorous and learned. He issues a call to righteous manhood that we need to hear.

S TEPHEN M ANSFIELD , New York Times best-selling author

Little boys dont want to grow up to be polite citizens who keep their lawn manicured. They want to be heroes and even superheroes who right wrongs, deliver the oppressed, and save the world. In Rise of the Servant Kings, Ken has done grown-up boys a favor by providing them both a reminder and a road map to experience the true greatness their Father King has planned for them.

T ODD W AGNER , author of Come and See and founding pastor of Watermark Community Church

R ISE OF THE S ERVANT K INGS

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. Scripture quotations marked (niv) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Details in some anecdotes and stories have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved.

Copyright 2019 by Ken Harrison

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Multnomah, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

M ULTNOMAH and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.

Trade Paperback ISBN9780525653202

Ebook ISBN9780525653196

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Names: Harrison, K. R. (Ken R.), author.

Title: Rise of the servant kings : what the Bible says about being a man / by Ken Harrison.

Description: First Edition. | Colorado Springs : Multnomah, 2019.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018036965 | ISBN 9780525653189 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780525653196 (electronic)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian menReligious lifeBiblical teaching. | Men (Christian theology)

Classification: LCC BV4528.2 .H364 2019 | DDC 248.8/42dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018036965

waterbrookmultnomah.com

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Contents

Foreword

Some tell me there are only three things in this world that last foreverpeople, principles, and stories. And most of the stories are about people learning principles. Rise of the Servant Kings draws on events from a mans story and shares the principles he has learned along the way. Some the hard way.

This book reveals pieces of Kens story, so youll encounter plenty of rough edges in these pages. Some of your feathers may get ruffled. Ken writes like the tough LAPD street cop he once wasdirect, forceful, staccato, no nonsense. Just rapid-fire bursts of truth intended to hit your center of mass with intensity and energy. But dont miss the point. There is hope here. This man from Boring, Oregon, whom Ive known since he was a young holy terror, is on another mission thats not so boring. This mission is from heaven.

Kens mission matters like no other has in his life. Though he is a successful businessman, this mission is not about money or competition. Not about personal achievement. No mere earthly pettiness. This mission is about a singular cause that transcends all elsethe kingdom of Christ ruling in every masculine soul to the end that men actually become mature in Christ, marriages reflect heaven, families become healthy, communities are revolutionized, and, above all else, our God is glorified.

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