One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda

One Million Arrows for Families: Join the Vision Will the world change your children...or will your children change the world?

The recently released book, One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World, casts a vision for parents who want their family to live with purpose, passion, and to be counted among the heroes in the pages of “His Story.”

Using a generous supply of inspiring testimonies of both families and young people worldwide who are currently being used by God in mighty ways, author Julie Ferwerda offers three stages of raising kingdom-minded kids: gather, sharpen, and launch:

Gather up the children—your own, others in your circle of influence and, if possible, broken children who need a family. Sharpen them in the Word, raising them as disciples of Jesus. Launch them into the world, ready to use their God-given gifts, talents, and resources in order to make a difference for the Kingdom.

Interwoven throughout the book is also a call for families to get involved in the care and spiritual development of orphaned children worldwide who are being rescued, discipled, and spiritually trained to be launched back into their own countries with the life-changing Gospel. The inspiration for this call to action came from Julie’s visit to India where she met world changer, Dr. M.A. Thomas.
M.A. Thomas, known as "Papa" to many thousands throughout India, began rescuing orphaned and abandoned children off the streets in the late 70s. In India, it is estimated that there are approximately 80 million orphaned and abandoned children—more than half of the world’s estimated number in one country alone. This troubled M.A. Thomas deeply until one day when he read Psalm 127:3-5, where all children are described as a gift and reward—like arrows in the hands of a mighty man—not just one's own children. He asked God to show him how he might help restore many more children on the streets of India, the "throw-aways" of society, to the earthly and heavenly purposes for which they were intended.

It was then that God gave him the vision of gathering one million orphaned and abandoned children, sharpening them as "arrows for God," and launching them to start one million churches in the 600,000 villages and cities that have never heard the Gospel. He has been faithfully working toward the vision since, through the ministry of Hopegivers International, and today he has launched more than 16,000 orphan-arrows as ambassadors of Christ into India, Nepal, Myanmar, Burma, and he has overseen the planting of 21,000 churches.

Today, M.A. Thomas is convinced that his vision is not just for India. He believes in these last days that God is raising up a generation of young people on every continent and from every walk of life to join Him in His work to fulfill the Great Commission.

One Million Arrows brings that vision to America, engaging families in Papa's universal vision of raising their own children as effective arrows for the Kingdom, and also encourages families to invest in other arrows being shaped and sent as disciples, whether closer to home or through the many discipling orphan ministries worldwide.

Julie’s reminder to parents is that our kids don’t have to grow up in order to make a real difference. The Bible and history bear proof that young people can be doing big things right now to change their communities, their culture, their country, and even the world at large. As parents, we have to raise them to see themselves as created for a special purpose, and to use their talents and passions to make a difference wherever God plants them.

One Million Arrows has received glowing endorsements and reviews from some of the country’s best-known ministry leaders and authors such as Josh McDowell, Franklin Graham, Dennis Rainey, Ron Luce, Thelma Wells, Alvin Reid, Mark Batterson, and Steven McGarvey.

Right now, God is inviting your family to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage your hearts to make a radical difference. You can raise your kids to impact their culture, their community, and even their world for Christ. If you want your kids to discover their purpose, if you want them to live with a passion for the Kingdom, if you want your family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity.

(My family is the family that is shown after the word "PASSION")

About the Author

Julie Ferwerda is recognized for making the Bible exciting and relevant to everyday life through her writing and speaking. Her articles are featured in many Christian magazines and websites for both adults and teens, and she frequently volunteers her time and talents to international orphan ministry. Learn more at OneMillionArrows.com.





My Review
First off when I read a non-fiction Christian book, I find myself checking out the endorsements to see if they are any that I know and trust.

Julie's book, One Million Arrows, had many; Dennis Rainey, Ron Luce, Josh McDowell, just to name a few.

As I got further and further into the book I kept having 'ah-ha!' moments. I was being inspired and convicted and encouraged, all at the same time.

Julie shares stories of families who have successfully raised arrows that are damaging the enemies grasp. Though I sometimes as I read, I  felt inadequate for the job, I also felt encouraged to know that God blessed me with each of my children and I've been given a task that I can handle as long as I lean on Him to get the job done.

God has really been working on me about getting better at teaching my kids His word and getting back to regular prayer time with my kids and husband.

I regret that I did not grow up in a strong Christian home, though my parents both new about God, they never really fell head over heels in love with Him and invested the time to shape me and my siblings into arrows.

I know that it won't be easy. But it will be worth it.

Julie states it this way on page 125

"Being an arrow is a lot like signing up for Fear FActor. You know there's going to be a lot of suspense, some fun and interesting challenges, some really hard mental and physical obstacles and of course, plenty of fear as you're stretched way out of your comfort zone."

I think that is an understatement!

Are you ready to raise arrows for God?

I AM!


You can read chapter one of One Million Arrows here.