Face2Face Series (13 vols.)

Every Christian who has longed for heaven has lamented still living in Babylon. Roger Ellsworth not only brings us face to face with Daniel the prophet, but points us hopefully to the heavenly Jerusalem. Faithful to the text and immensely practical, this book teaches us how to live for the glory of God in a corrupt world.

—C. Ben Mitchell, Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University, Jackson, TN

Daniel is one of the great heroes of the Bible. In a time of great uncertainty and difficulty, he shines forth as one who worships the only true God. In this book, Roger Ellsworth excels in drawing out the practical nature of Daniel’s faith, how he dealt with real life situations and put the Living God at the very center of everything. This is a book for everyone, for we all need to be reminded what it means to stand firm and live for the Glory of God. Read this book! You will be greatly blessed.

—David Clark, joint editor, Christian Hymns

Michael Bentley has an enviable knowledge of the Bible and an admirably simple way of relating its events, and then interweaving the stories with their relevance to our life. Thus, we see how the actions related in the Bible can still be appropriate today in the way we live our lives.

—Fran Godfrey, BBC Radio

It is easily the most fascinating account of David’s life that I have ever read. As a believer I profited, I learned, I was challenged and I gained biblical knowledge and insight. It seemed as though David was a contemporary, living somewhere near me, facing many of the same difficulties I face—yes, contemporary in the best biblical sense.

—Dr. Kent Philpott, pastor, Miller Avenue Church, Mill Valley, CA

Michael Bentley treats the life of David in a simple, straightforward fashion, never losing sight throughout of the practical significance he has for us, and constantly holding before us David’s greater Son, the Lord Jesus. A very good and satisfying book!

—Roger Ellsworth, pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, IL

. . . a book which is full of wisdom.

—Chris Porter, minister, Easthampstead Baptist Church, England

A literary fanfare for the common man!

—J. Keith Johnson, South Mobile Baptist Church, AL

Called to succeed the great Elijah in ministering to Israel in godless and corrupt times, Elisha faced enormous challenges. Jim Winter brings us face to face with this under-appreciated prophet, reminding us all the while that the God who was sufficient for him is still sufficient. Ministers of the Gospel may find special encouragement for their own challenges by walking with Jim Winter in the footprints of the prophet. The many illustrations makes Jim Winter’s book very readable. The applications make it very helpful. The pictures of Christ make it very valuable, reminding us that in Christ alone we find meaning for this life and hope for the life to come.

—Roger Ellsworth, minister of Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, IL

All credit to Jim Winter for the way he opens up the life of Elisha. He takes us into the past through the pages of Scripture and brings us face to face with this great prophet. Then he brings Elisha into our present, deftly drawing out the principles that make him relevant to our day. But then he goes one step further. With warmth and biblical sensitivity he brings us to Christ. So here, in handling these passages, Jim Winter does what every true expositor should do: he brings us face to face with Jesus!

—Mark G. Johnston, minister, Grove Chapel, Camberwell, England

The neglected Bible includes books like Ezra. Tucked away in the Old Testament is a record of how a largely unseen God moves through world events, demonstrating that he is mighty to save. Chris Hughes has worked to understand and apply the message of a book that does not need to remain neglected.

—Declan Flanagan, chief executive, Rural Ministries

Can God be trusted? That’s one of the ultimate questions for people exploring the Christian faith. In short pithy chapters, Chris Hughes shows us that God is working it all out according to plan—his story and ours. And he does it through ordinary like Ezra who find themselves caught up in God’s extraordinary purposes. This short book will deepen your confidence in God and whet your appetite to get involved in the biggest drama in history.

—Richard Underwood, pastoral director, The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC)

Chris Hughes has made the book of Ezra come alive for the modern reader. It is full of useful historical background, with great illustrations and application for our lives today and many references to other biblical passages that make it a must for teachers and preachers. It is a challenge and an encouragement to tall who are seeking to serve Christ in difficult times.

—Jim Winter, author and pastor

The life of Joseph towers above the landscape of patriarchal history, pointing us to the ultimate Savior—as Roger Ellsworth makes so perfectly clear. Read these warm-hearted and practical pages and be edified. Ideal for both group and personal study.

—R. Kent Hughes, senior pastor emeritus, College Church, Wheaton, IL

If you’re looking for one of those disastrous studies that explore a biblical character as a model for coping with your problems, you will find Roger Ellsworth’s Face2Face with Joseph disappointing; but if you’re eager to see how biblical life finds its niche in God’s plan, how human crud is bundled up in God’s providence, or how a suffering servant points you to an unguessable Savior—well, then, here is your ticket.

—Dale Ralph Davis, former professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS

You will not “enjoy” this book—at least, I hope not—but read with a prayerful, humble spirit, it is truly edifying.

—Paul E. Brown, retired pastor and author of several books, Lancaster, UK

The strength of this little book is that it speaks to heart and conscience. Andrew forces me to look at myself and to examine my heart. Any book that does that is worth reading.

—Stephen Rees, pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Stockport, UK

Andrew Wheeler has given us a perceptive study of one of the Bible’s most enigmatic and tragic figures. In doing so, he reminds us how very far one can go in religion without ever possessing the true knowledge of Christ.

—Roger Ellsworth, pastor, Parkview Baptist Church, Jackson, TN

God’s blessings come in surprise packages, and none more so than Rahab of Jericho. What an astonishing woman she was! Her story certainly provokes many questions. Why was she a prostitute when her family were also living in Jericho? Surely they would have dissuaded her from following that lifestyle? She had two spies go to visit her, but what were they doing in a prostitute’s house when they were supposed to be viewing the land? And why did she betray her people to certain death? Thankfully you can come face to face with Rahab through the pages of Chris Hughes’ fine book and get a sight of this remarkable woman; more importantly, however, you will see the God of grace who calls and uses even prostitutes to fulfil his purposes in the world.

—Clive Anderson, minister, Butts Church, Alton, England

Here is a very readable practical book with encouraging insights into a lesser-known but surprisingly significant Bible character—Rahab. Throughout the story of this Jericho call-girl, the amazing grace and purpose of God is seen in both the Old and New Testaments. You might be prompted to be less choosy about those you consider building a relationship with. God surprises us!

—David Abernethie, retired minister

In less than a dozen short, punchy chapters, we are introduced to the mini-drama of the heroine Rahab in her ruin and redemption, set against the backcloth of ‘the greatest story ever told’ of the Joshua/Jesus the hero of it all. An excellent resource.

—Dr Steve Brady, principal, Moorlands College, Christchurch, England

Insightful biblical interpretation and powerful theological truths are compellingly portrayed and carefully explained throughout this book. I heartily commend Face2Face with Samuel for a wide range of readers.

—David S. Dockery, president, Union University, Jackson, TN

Clive Anderson brings ancient history to life. Out of the stony slabs of antiquity, Sennacherib emerges, flesh and blood. . . . This book is a must for preachers and teachers and an invaluable aid to Bible study. It is easily accessible scholarship—providing accurate background knowledge, sound biblical exposition and searching application.

—Dr. Jim Winter, author, and pastor, Horsell Evangelical Church

Too often people do not see the real humanity of biblical characters and fail to see the connections between various parts of Scripture. Roger Ellsworth helps to address these issues in his compelling study of Simon Peter. When one traces the references to Peter through the Gospels, Acts and the letters of Paul and Peter himself, it helps not only in understanding Peter but also in seeing the unity of Scripture. This book is accessible yet rich in thought and application.

—Ray Van Neste, PhD, associate professor of Christian studies and director, R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, Jackson, TN

Can there be hope and healing for victims of sexual abuse? God’s Word says ‘Yes!’ In this book, Julia Jones brings timeless lessons from the lives of three Bible women and shows how God’s wonderful grace can reach into situations of pain and despair.

—Sharon James, author

Many a Bible reader would gloss over these distasteful episodes in Bible history. Julia Jones demonstrates that they have much to teach an age in which every sexual taboo has been broken and the consequent chaos and dysfunction is commonplace. This readable book offers an understanding of failure and shame which is biblical, God-centred and empathetic.

—Ann Benton, author