This month is the culmination of many prayers, many miles, and much grace! After nearly three years of work, From the Rising of the Sun: A Journey of Worship Around the World was released this week. Tim Challies and I teamed up to tell this Big Story. It’s published by Zondervan, and you can find out more information at From the Rising of the Sun: A Journey of Worship Around the World.
We’re already getting many kind and encouraging messages about this project, including from the churches featured in the film who are seeing it for the first time!
My friend Timarie Friesen wrote a wonderful and winsome review of From the Rising of the Sun. Here’s an excerpt that I wanted to share with you. (You can read the whole thing at the link above.)
“There’s a wonderful sameness about the gospel in every corner of the world,” says a church planter in Cambodia to author Tim Keesee.
In the sameness, there are so many differences in the ways people worship around the world.
It’s quite memorable, the diversity of believers shown in this eleven-location journey.
The Sunday after I’d finished reading From the Rising of the Sun—and watching the accompanying videos—I stood with my local church, and as we sang the song, "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble,” I recalled images of the people in the eleven churches. The unity and the diversity.
The song I mentioned singing with my local church says, “all the saints join in one song,” which is so true about these eleven churches that cherish Christ and exist to worship him.
It’s been a glorious and arduous journey. I’m thankful to so many who have helped us get to this finish line as you’ve prayed, given, and sent notes of encouragement to speed us on our way! May God be magnified more and more through the Story that He is writing all around the world.