Many of us have our heroes but we often fail to recognize the people who helped to shape them. In Lover of Life the distinguished author Dr. F. W. Boreham draws back the curtain to pay tribute to one of his mentors, Joseph John Doke. This is a tantalizing sketch of a pastor, artist, author, who later in South Africa became a friend and freedom fighter with Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for the rights of minority races. Instead of a treatise on Effective Mentoring, F. W. Boreham in his inimitable way tells stories of how it worked for him and how pivotal such a relationship was in his own life and ministry. It would be good if seminary and denominational leaders put this book into the hands of every seminary student and pastor who are embarking on a new mentoring relationship. This short story about the friendship between J. J. Doke and Frank and Stella Boreham provides a wealth of insight and a hopeful vision of what a mentoring relationship might become.
“Read; and read systematically; and keep on reading; never give up!’” (Page 9)
Of the books that have played the greatest role in molding me, I count many volumes by especially one writer: F. W. Boreham. He authored more than fifty books of essays and pastored congregations in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia. He was not the classical preacher, not even a profound, deep preacher, but he was marvelous at seeing beauty in the simple things of life. He heeded John Wesley's charge to young preachers to blend simplicity with sublimity, 'the strongest sense in the plainest language.'
—Ravi Zacharias