Step beyond the walls of the church and into the thick of humanity.

“Joan Brown Campbell’s career can be regarded as prophetic. For Joan, faith has meant engagement with the world and its pain. Her words remind us that at its best, religion should not narrow our horizons, but enable us to live more fully; should not cause us to withdraw from the world, but to do our utmost to make it a better place.”

—from the Foreword by Karen Armstrong

Drawing on her amazing life experiences, Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell speaks out on the pressing issues that face us today: love, justice, reconciliation, forgiveness and community. With a bold, distinctive voice, this visionary minister asserts that we have the capacity to transcend the barriers that separate us from one another. She poses that “Who is my neighbor?” may be the most crucial question in our world where so many are hungry and hurting and weary of war. She calls us to live life fully—not carefully or cautiously, but wholly engaged with the world and with the messiness of humanity. She dares us to act as the people we are called and created to be—to claim our freedom to care, to risk and to step out into the unknown.

Capturing the essence of her wisdom gained from years of world travel and experience, Campbell offers inspiration and challenge for all who would claim their lives as people of hope.

“Sermon collections are common but great sermons are rare. This is a collection of great ones. Joan Brown Campbell, in her inimitable warm, clear and penetrating way, makes scripture come alive and life more meaningful than the average day’s events would ordinarily signal it to be. Read this collection of pointed and powerful sermons and begin to see both scripture and life in a new and intimate dynamic.”

—Joan Chittister, OSB, St. Scholastica Priory; co-author, Uncommon Gratitude: Alleluia for All That Is

“A cornucopia of relevant truths eloquently presented with sensitivity, integrity and passion…. Offers readers a rare opportunity to experience inspiration while learning history from the vivid stories of a compassionate agent. After you read this book, if you know someone who may not or cannot read this book, please read it to them.”

—Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president, Interfaith Alliance

“Joan Brown Campbell’s prophetic words are driven by a pastor’s caring heart. She lives with holy hope for all the world—and invites us also to live that way!”

—Rev. Albert M. Pennybacker, former pastor, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

“[Unites] a remarkable life of engagement with the important and often difficult issues of our time…. A fascinating, inspiring and helpful book.”

—Rev. John M. Buchanan, pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago; editor/publisher, the Christian Century

“Joan Campbell’s voice is an essential voice in the interfaith community today. [Here] she beautifully describes her own life experiences and how they point to the need for greater unity among the religions and understanding of our deep interdependence…. This book is a must read for all Christians and people of faith everywhere.”

—Dena Merriam, founder and convener, Global Peace Initiative of Women

“Joan Brown Campbell is a titan among ministers. She brings a deep love of the gospel and commitment to justice that is reminiscent of the prophetic words of Amos and the just actions of Sojourner Truth. Every person of faith will do well to read this prophetic work.”

—Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ

“Joan Campbell’s vision of a world where people of every faith are honored is clearly and profoundly set forth. You will read every word again and again. As Muslim leaders, we are grateful to Joan for sharing her gifts.”

—Daisy Khan and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, American Society for Muslim Advancement

“These stories of faith and love are treasures that touch moments in history and share lessons for all time. Enjoy the thought-provoking discussions that emerge as you read and share my mother’s life.”

—Jane Louise Campbell, former mayor of Cleveland; Joan Brown Campbell’s daughter

“Emblematic of her inclusive theology. ‘We are the Children of God,’ she regularly intones, and with reverence and intent develops our understanding of the blessings and obligations of that fact.”

—Thomas M. Becker, president, Chautauqua Institution

“Powerful testimonies from a lifetime of a pioneering Christian woman. The reflections and prayers open up the lessons we can all learn from Joan’s stories. I commend the stories and the storyteller to you.”

—Jim Wallis, president, Sojourners; author, Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street

Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former executive director of the U.S. office of the World Council of Churches and former general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, is director of religion at the historic Chautauqua Institution. She currently serves as chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women and is one of the founding members of the Council of Sages for Karen Armstrong’s Charter for Compassion initiative. Dr. Campbell is a highly sought-after lecturer.

Karen Armstrong is the bestselling author of The Case for God, among other books. A powerful voice for ecumenical understanding, she was instrumental in creating, launching and propagating the Charter for Compassion, a global, multifaith cooperative effort to restore compassionate thinking and action to the center of religious, moral and political life.