Listen and Make Room

“This is a must read to reawaken our hearts for the little ones in society who are ignored and unheard. There is no room for them. Convicting and compelling, Shank reminds us of Jesus’s deep compassion for society’s marginalized. Shank’s twenty years of service as national spokesperson for sixty church-related childcare agencies speaks strongly in this collection of inspirational lessons.” —Lynn McMillon, Distinguished Professor of Bible, Oklahoma Christian University, and licensed marriage and family therapist
“The way of Jesus seems upside down in our broken world. Listening to and making room for the vulnerable is not the way to get ahead in this life. But Shank demonstrates how this upside-down way of living is, in fact, exactly what this world needs. It is at the heart of the Gospel, and central to the mission of Jesus. The question is, Will you join the mission?” —Dr. Kent Brantly, Ebola survivor and coauthor of Called for Life
“I have heard Harold present the majority of these lessons over the past twenty years, and I can personally tell you that these extraordinary messages from Harold are shaped by years of his being close to God’s heart for the under heard, underserved, and underrepresented. You will be inspired to keep listening, to keep working, and to keep persevering. You will hear God’s voice as you read this important book.” —David Jordan, President and CEO of Agape Child and Family Services in Memphis, Tennessee
“Shank’s decades as a minister of the Word shine as he moves easily through texts, weaving a full-bodied understanding of the God who cherishes children, draws them to him, and works on their behalf. Shank’s poignant stories and winning style, along with his own powerful testimony as an unchurched child welcomed by loving people into the body of Christ, remind us that listening and making room for children is God’s heart.” —Holly Catterton Allen, Professor of Family Studies and Christian Ministries, Lipscomb University
“Harold asks the question, “Do you hear what the children are saying?” It is a question that calls for us to respond like Jesus did. The book is both pastoral and prophetic in tone with a strong call to action. Listen and Make Room is a special book that will rekindle your love for the children in your neighborhoods and living rooms.” —Scott D. Lambert, Executive Director of Let’s Start Talking
“In each chapter of Listen and Make Room, you will hear messages deeply rooted in Scripture and filled with invaluable insight, restoration, and hope. This book will bless anyone who loves children, anyone who cares about a broken world, anyone in search of God’s solutions to life’s most difficult problems, anyone who needs their hope restored. Read this book. I guarantee you’ll be moved and heartened by it.” —Ken Durham, Baxter Chair of Preaching in the College of Bible and Ministry, Lipscomb University
“Harold Shank writes from the front lines, answering our hopelessness as we face this world’s needs. The good news Harold shares in Listen and Make Room speaks to my everyday frustration of not knowing what to do and if what I do will even last. This is a book that offers real hope.” —Emily Y. Lemley, editor of Power for Today
“Christians, churches, and organizations seeking to make significant differences in the lives of the people in their communities need to read Listen and Make Room. It is breathtaking in its breadth, depth, and its clarion call to attend to the plight of one of the most vulnerable populations in our world: children. This is a book that can help the kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven.” —Chris Altrock, senior preaching minister at Highland Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee, and author of Behind Esther
“Harold Shank has been a voice for mercy and justice among Churches of Christ for many years. This book continues that message with teachings regarding the mission of God, children, the vulnerable, and hope. It will fill your soul, touch your heart, and on occasion provoke your spirit. May God help us, as God’s people, to answer this call!” —Steve Cloer, preaching minister at Southside Church of Christ, Fort Worth, Texas
“Gripping! Dr. Harold Shank has written another page-turner that shakes you to the core and stirs your compassion. Shank poignantly helps you see that when you listen to what the helpless children are saying, you hear the heartbeat of God. No book has inspired me more than Listen and Make Room. —James E. Moore, President of Mount Dora Children’s Home, Mount Dora, Florida