Books in the House of Prisca and Aquila series

How does the future look to us? Well, clearly we realize we now live in a world of screens, from the microcosmic universe of to smartphone . . . to the imposing vigil of the multiplex giants, looming over us in Imax and 3-D--more ""real"" than real--and to all the screens in between, from computers to iPads, to muted, high definition flat-screens pouring out images in homes, restaurants, banks, businesses, schools, doctors' offices, and hospitals, and on and on everywhere we turn. We cannot change this reality, so what these Christians, and so many like them are doing is trying to find ways to redeem what we put on these screens: what message we are sending out in word and image to the watching world. So, clearly, our task, whether we have been called to create or not, is to join these artists as ""screen redeemers,"" assisting the Holy Spirit in reconciling the world to God (2 Cor 5:18-19) through helping the pervasively influential means of the media adjust its goals to the mission of Jesus Christ. ""Redeeming the Screens' words endorse the challenge of bringing Christ to the modern media. I am proud to be a Catholic priest as well as a member of SAG-AFTRA, sharing my love for Jesus on Christian TV stations each week and also doing films and commercials on the secular scene.""--Michael Manning, TV host of Word in the World; Author of 15 Faces of God""Redeeming The Screens makes such impressive sense that empowering entertainment for the sake of our Lord's glory has become possible. Anyone involved in media production will treasure this book because it provides live models of how ministers combine their passion, talents, and faith to deliver God's truth. This book has provided a superb example of how this is to be accomplished. A warm and glowing book which I will share with many of my personal and professional friends.""--Joseph Nassralla, CEO & Founder of The Way TV, Duarte, CA""Although all Christians are called to be lights, few will ever know the depth of this calling the men and women portrayed in this book have known. Their stories will challenge, humble, and inspire you to break out of your protective bubble and go into all the world and preach the gospel, even if that world is on Sunset Boulevard."" --Michele Pillar, Speaker; Author of Untangled; three-time Grammy Award-nominated singerJeanne C. DeFazio holds an MA in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is currently an Athanasian Teaching Scholar at Gordon-Conwell's Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston and a co-author with Teresa Flowers of How to Have an Attitude of Gratitude on the Night Shift (2014) and co-editor with John P. Lathrop of Creative Ways to Build Christian Community (2013).William David Spencer is Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Theology and the Arts at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Boston Center for Urban Ministerial Education. He is the recipient of twenty one awards for writing and editing and is the author of several hundred articles, reviews, poems, stories, and thirteen previous books, including his latest, the urban adventure novel Name in the Papers.

Berkeley Street Theatre chronicles Christian World Liberation Front''s 1969-1975 ministry to the counterculture. Founded by Jack Sparks, CWLF was featured in the June 1971 Time Magazine''s epic ""Jesus Revolution"" edition. Reverend Billy Graham sponsored the CWLF outreach and referred to CWLF as a highly effective outreach to the counterculture. The book included a foreword by David W. Gill, former CWLF leader, scholar, and author, contributing chapters from BST''s members: Gene Burkett, Charlie Lehman, Susan Dockery Andrews, Father James Bernstein, and Jeanne DeFazio, editor of the book. Part Two of this work outlines Christian Guerilla theater following the timeline of BST with contributing chapters from: JMD Myers, Joanne Petronella, Jozy Pollock, Olga Soler, and Sheri Pedigo. William David Spencer''s afterword details the cultural contributions of the Jesus movement. This book will appeal to the baby boom generation as well as millennials. It is a resource work for anyone interested in religious history, Christian theater and the arts, and in how baby boomers embraced the Jesus Movement. The photos of BST''s Sproul Plaza performances will charm all readers. ""Berkeley Street Theatre is a call for Christians to use theater to attract and convict seekers . . . I highly recommend the reading and use of Berkeley Street Theatre for those interested in history, thoughtful and creative outreach, and practical, hands-on information."" --Aida Besancon Spencer, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; author of God through the Looking Glass: Glimpses from the Arts""Many people have had negative church experiences but still want to know more about God. If they are reluctant to step back into a church community, Christian theater is the perfect parable to bridge the gap. I wholeheartedly endorse this book because it models theater as Christian outreach."" --Teresa Flowers, author of How to Have an Attitude of Gratitude on the Night Shift""I recommend this book because it explains how Christian theater brings people to Jesus. This book combines love of Jesus and love of performing arts together. Bravo!"" --Monica ""Happy"" C. Valdivieso, performing artist ""Theatrical production is the perfect opportunity to show Christian truths modeled in everyday life. People don''t want to be talked at, but rather want to draw their own conclusions from entertaining productions. This book clearly shows faith in action through a theatrical approach to ministry."" --Gemma Wenger, M. Ed., Beauty for Ashes Television and Radio Ministry, Los AngelesJeanne C. DeFazio holds an MA in Religion from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She is currently an Athanasian Teaching Scholar at Gordon Conwell Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston and a co-editor with William David Spencer of Redeeming the Screens (2016), a co-author with Teresa Flowers of How to Have An Attitude of Gratitude on The Night Shift (2014), and a co-editor with John P. Lathrop of Creative Ways to Build Christian Community (2013).

Empowering English Language Learners showcases strategies of those who teach English as a second language in pre-schools, graduate schools, secular public schools, and private Christian schools. What makes this book unique is the way each teacher evaluates teaching strategy through personal experience. This book explains what works and what doesn't.With additional contributions from:Dean BorgmanJulia DavisJean DimockCherry GortonSeong ParkOlga SolerVirginia D. WardGemma Wenger""Like the neighbor in the parable of the Good Samaritan, what if the help needed in the story is the learning of English? Would you give? Empowering English Language Learners is a book that takes you to experience what happens when the Christian value of being a 'neighbor' is embraced in teaching English to the non-English speakers in different settings. Lively and practical!""--Seong Hyun Park, Dean of Boston Campus and Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary""Empowering ELLs is a very important topic for all teachers. Many strategies for successfully empowering ELLs have been made by experienced and effective teachers and administrators in secular and Christian settings to students of all age levels. I highly recommend this book as an indispensable resource for all.""--Aida Besancon Spencer, Senior Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological SeminaryJeanne C. DeFazio is the editor of Berkeley Street Theatre: How Improvisation and Street Theatre Emerged as a Christian Outreach to the Culture of the Time, coeditor of Redeeming the Screens with William David Spencer and Creative Ways to Build Christian Community with John P. Lathrop. She also co-authored, with Teresa Flowers, How to Have an Attitude of Gratitude on the Night Shift. William David Spencer is Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Theology and the Arts at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Boston Campus/Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME). He is the author of more than two hundred articles, stories, poems, chapters in books, reviews, editorials, and with his wife writes the blog From the Timeless to the Timely: Applying Scriptural Truths Today. He is also co-author or editor of sixteen books.

Much has been written on servant leadership, but it is not always tied to egalitarian leadership. Sometimes authority and power instead of God's love are presented as the core of the Christian faith. The church at times derails, imitating worldly culture, emphasizing entitlement that relies on an innate or permanent human hierarchy of rank. Responding to today's conflict over leadership, Christian Egalitarian Leadership calls us back to its biblical roots: what is Christian egalitarian leadership? Why is it biblical? How does it work? Thoughtful and devout Christian leaders carefully explain how sharing leadership follows God's intentions and is crucial to implement today.The theoretical and practical ramifications of these concepts are extended to many areas of the Christian life by numerous qualified individuals, women and men of different races and economic and social classes. Chapters overview New Testament teachings, biblical authority, Old Testament and contemporary examples, God's intention at creation, pagan philosophy's influence on Christian hierarchal leadership, multicultural and multi-ethnic leadership in the United States and Africa, marriage, rearing children, equipping youth and laity, church planting, retirement, and missions, from the cradle to the mission field.

Much has been written on servant leadership, but it is not always tied to egalitarian leadership. Sometimes authority and power instead of God''s love are presented as the core of the Christian faith. The church at times derails, imitating worldly culture, emphasizing entitlement that relies on an innate or permanent human hierarchy of rank. Responding to today''s conflict over leadership, Christian Egalitarian Leadership calls us back to its biblical roots: what is Christian egalitarian leadership? Why is it biblical? How does it work? Thoughtful and devout Christian leaders carefully explain how sharing leadership follows God''s intentions and is crucial to implement today.The theoretical and practical ramifications of these concepts are extended to many areas of the Christian life by numerous qualified individuals, women and men of different races and economic and social classes. Chapters overview New Testament teachings, biblical authority, Old Testament and contemporary examples, God''s intention at creation, pagan philosophy''s influence on Christian hierarchal leadership, multicultural and multi-ethnic leadership in the United States and Africa, marriage, rearing children, equipping youth and laity, church planting, retirement, and missions, from the cradle to the mission field.

The call for gender equity in leadership has become a global concern. From a Christian perspective, all forms of gender prejudice are sinful because they violate God''s intention for creating both men and women in God''s image. Although many Christian authors have published books and journal articles to address gender-based injustice, very few publications have approached the subject from an African perspective. This book is meant to fill the existing gap. With a specific reference to the African context, this book explores the phenomenon of equity in leadership from various dimensions, such as African culture and traditional religion, church tradition, biblical interpretation, as well as from the perspective of contemporary socio-economic and political realities in Africa. By giving vivid examples of success stories of men and women working together, the authors have demythologized the view that women cannot be leaders. In addition, this book is intended for general readership by Christian men and women throughout the globe. For universities and colleges that teach gender studies as a subject, the book can serve as a class text or reference resource. Seminaries and theological institutions will also find it handy for training and mentoring Christians to promote equity in the church, ministry, business, and family.""The Quest for Biblical Equity in Leadership is good biblical scholarship and engaging story-telling from a fresh African perspective that will provide new insights to readers from any continent.""--Brad Smith, President, Bakke Graduate University""This book . . . takes a particular issue of vital significance in the modern world--gender equity--[and] provides fascinating insights into a number of African cultures. It showcases some excellent African scholarship from both male and female theologians . . . and provides a fine example to the rest of the world of using biblical principles to critique culture from the inside. Congratulations to the editors and the writing team for producing such a useful compilation.""--Mary Evans, Author; Former Vice-Principal and Old Testament lecturer, London School of Theology""I have witnessed first-hand how Jewel Hyun embodies the quest for Biblical equity in leadership in Africa. Her faith-filled ministry in Kenya is a wonder to behold, and transformational to experience. As a result, the book in your hands is filled with Biblical wisdom and practical implications that will stand the test of time."" --Stephen A. Macchia, Author; Founder and President, Leadership Transformations, Inc.KeumJu Jewel Hyun is founder and president of Matthew 28 Ministries, Inc., focusing on Christian women''s leadership development and economic empowerment in Kenya. She is adjunct professor of Theology of Work at Bakke Graduate University and co-editor of Some Men Are Our Heroes: Stories by Women about the Men Who Have Greatly Influenced Their Lives. Jewel holds a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Ministries degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts, as well as a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Physics from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. She and her husband have two adult children and four grandchildren.Diphus C. Chemorion, an ordained minister, is director of Postgraduate Studies and Associate Professor at St. Paul''s University, Kenya. He is the author of Community Participation in Scripture Version Design: An Experiment in Translating Jonah into Sabaot and Introduction to Christian Worldview: Meaning, Origins and Perspectives. He also co-edited Contested Space: Ethnicity and Religion in Kenya. He holds a Master of Theology from Candle school of Theology, Emory University, and a Doctor of Theology in Old Testament from Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Description:Creative Ways to Build Christian Community is exactly what its title says it is: a very personal, practical response to the present and future prospect of isolation, a treasure trove of examples and suggestions about how to accomplish the Great Commission from community builders telling how, over the years and the ministries, they have implemented creative ways to build up churches and organizations to develop more intensive Christian fellowship and, thereby, create community. --Dr. William David SpencerEndorsements:""Creative Ways to Build Christian Community invites the reader to remember and act on the foundational need of the church to build community. Such a need may seem obvious, but too many of us today do not give community-building the attention and recognition it deserves. This is a delightful, homey, practical, and personal presentation of how community is encouraged through special meetings, meals, the arts, and prayer in the church and outside it. . . . This book is a banquet of approaches to foster the church as a nourishing, active Christian community; Christ himself invites us to the Supper.""--Aída Besançon Spencer, Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological SeminaryAbout the Contributor(s):Jeanne C. DeFazio holds a MA in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is currently an Athanasian Teaching Scholar at Gordon-Conwell''s Center for Urban Ministerial Education, in Boston and a coauthor, with Teresa Flowers, of How to Have an Attitude of Gratitude on the Night Shift (2011).John P. Lathrop holds a MA in Urban Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister with the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies and author of four books: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers Then and Now (2008); The Power and Practice of the Church: God, Discipleship, and Ministry (2010); Answer the Prayer of Jesus: A Call for Biblical Unity (2011); and Dreams & Visions: Divine Interventions in Human Experience (2012).

The call for gender equity in leadership has become a global concern. From a Christian perspective, all forms of gender prejudice are sinful because they violate God''s intention for creating both men and women in God''s image. Although many Christian authors have published books and journal articles to address gender-based injustice, very few publications have approached the subject from an African perspective. This book is meant to fill the existing gap. With a specific reference to the African context, this book explores the phenomenon of equity in leadership from various dimensions, such as African culture and traditional religion, church tradition, biblical interpretation, as well as from the perspective of contemporary socio-economic and political realities in Africa. By giving vivid examples of success stories of men and women working together, the authors have demythologized the view that women cannot be leaders. In addition, this book is intended for general readership by Christian men and women throughout the globe. For universities and colleges that teach gender studies as a subject, the book can serve as a class text or reference resource. Seminaries and theological institutions will also find it handy for training and mentoring Christians to promote equity in the church, ministry, business, and family.""The Quest for Biblical Equity in Leadership is good biblical scholarship and engaging story-telling from a fresh African perspective that will provide new insights to readers from any continent.""--Brad Smith, President, Bakke Graduate University""This book . . . takes a particular issue of vital significance in the modern world--gender equity--[and] provides fascinating insights into a number of African cultures. It showcases some excellent African scholarship from both male and female theologians . . . and provides a fine example to the rest of the world of using biblical principles to critique culture from the inside. Congratulations to the editors and the writing team for producing such a useful compilation.""--Mary Evans, Author; Former Vice-Principal and Old Testament lecturer, London School of Theology""I have witnessed first-hand how Jewel Hyun embodies the quest for Biblical equity in leadership in Africa. Her faith-filled ministry in Kenya is a wonder to behold, and transformational to experience. As a result, the book in your hands is filled with Biblical wisdom and practical implications that will stand the test of time."" --Stephen A. Macchia, Author; Founder and President, Leadership Transformations, Inc.KeumJu Jewel Hyun is founder and president of Matthew 28 Ministries, Inc., focusing on Christian women''s leadership development and economic empowerment in Kenya. She is adjunct professor of Theology of Work at Bakke Graduate University and co-editor of Some Men Are Our Heroes: Stories by Women about the Men Who Have Greatly Influenced Their Lives. Jewel holds a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Ministries degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts, as well as a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Physics from Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. She and her husband have two adult children and four grandchildren.Diphus C. Chemorion, an ordained minister, is director of Postgraduate Studies and Associate Professor at St. Paul''s University, Kenya. He is the author of Community Participation in Scripture Version Design: An Experiment in Translating Jonah into Sabaot and Introduction to Christian Worldview: Meaning, Origins and Perspectives. He also co-edited Contested Space: Ethnicity and Religion in Kenya. He holds a Master of Theology from Candle school of Theology, Emory University, and a Doctor of Theology in Old Testament from Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Berkeley Street Theatre chronicles Christian World Liberation Front''s 1969-1975 ministry to the counterculture. Founded by Jack Sparks, CWLF was featured in the June 1971 Time Magazine''s epic ""Jesus Revolution"" edition. Reverend Billy Graham sponsored the CWLF outreach and referred to CWLF as a highly effective outreach to the counterculture. The book included a foreword by David W. Gill, former CWLF leader, scholar, and author, contributing chapters from BST''s members: Gene Burkett, Charlie Lehman, Susan Dockery Andrews, Father James Bernstein, and Jeanne DeFazio, editor of the book. Part Two of this work outlines Christian Guerilla theater following the timeline of BST with contributing chapters from: JMD Myers, Joanne Petronella, Jozy Pollock, Olga Soler, and Sheri Pedigo. William David Spencer''s afterword details the cultural contributions of the Jesus movement. This book will appeal to the baby boom generation as well as millennials. It is a resource work for anyone interested in religious history, Christian theater and the arts, and in how baby boomers embraced the Jesus Movement. The photos of BST''s Sproul Plaza performances will charm all readers. ""Berkeley Street Theatre is a call for Christians to use theater to attract and convict seekers . . . I highly recommend the reading and use of Berkeley Street Theatre for those interested in history, thoughtful and creative outreach, and practical, hands-on information."" --Aida Besancon Spencer, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; author of God through the Looking Glass: Glimpses from the Arts""Many people have had negative church experiences but still want to know more about God. If they are reluctant to step back into a church community, Christian theater is the perfect parable to bridge the gap. I wholeheartedly endorse this book because it models theater as Christian outreach."" --Teresa Flowers, author of How to Have an Attitude of Gratitude on the Night Shift""I recommend this book because it explains how Christian theater brings people to Jesus. This book combines love of Jesus and love of performing arts together. Bravo!"" --Monica ""Happy"" C. Valdivieso, performing artist ""Theatrical production is the perfect opportunity to show Christian truths modeled in everyday life. People don''t want to be talked at, but rather want to draw their own conclusions from entertaining productions. This book clearly shows faith in action through a theatrical approach to ministry."" --Gemma Wenger, M. Ed., Beauty for Ashes Television and Radio Ministry, Los AngelesJeanne C. DeFazio holds an MA in Religion from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She is currently an Athanasian Teaching Scholar at Gordon Conwell Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston and a co-editor with William David Spencer of Redeeming the Screens (2016), a co-author with Teresa Flowers of How to Have An Attitude of Gratitude on The Night Shift (2014), and a co-editor with John P. Lathrop of Creative Ways to Build Christian Community (2013).