In This Generation

by Todd Ahrend

Todd Ahrend takes you on a journey into the greatest missions movement in history. For anyone today who longs for the evangelization of the world, this is the place to begin. The lessons learned from the historic Student Volunteer Movement provide a priceless well of wisdom and practical methods that God's church can drink from once again.

Genres: Christian, Faith

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2010

About the author

Todd is a graduate of Northeastern State University and a former campus minister at Tulsa University. He has a Master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctorate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Jessica is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. Todd is the founder of The Traveling Team. For seven years, he and his wife Jessica traveled around the nation mobilizing young adults to missions before living for a year in the Middle East. Todd has exposure in over sixty countries and is currently the International Director of The Traveling Team which seeks to use The Traveling Team's resources in countries outside of the U.S. They have three children, Camden, Brody, and Axel. Todd is the author of In This Generation: Looking to the Past to Reach the Present and The Abrahamic Revolution: God’s Mission in Motion.

Reviews

[Rod Innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books that I have read this year. Perhaps one of the most important books that I have ever read. I want to recommend this book to every Christian, especially to those who when thinking about their lives, ask the question "Is this all there is to the Christian life?" I believe that this book will challenge you to think and act differently. It has challenged me and I want to pass that challenge to you!

[Sara Dangerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only put four out of five stars because this book was LONG. It had such a wealth of information, following the Student Volunteer Movement from its formation to its end. My favorite chapters were in the last quarter of the book as it discusses what modern day mobilization looks like. It’s a challenge to ALL believers, to have a global perspective. Our God is a missions focused God - may the whole world know!

[Caroline Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book! The author does a superb job balancing the history of the Student Volunteer Movement with the missionary movements today. He uses a lot of primary documents to inform about the people and movement. The author also has a strong grasp of the struggles & thought processes of students today. He spends the majority of the book discussing what we can take from the SVM to today and what would no longer apply.

[Ramon Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Book and A Worthy Goal To Achieve

This book is an insightful look at the student volunteer movement. The author gleans lessons we can use today in mobilizing people for global missions. The things that he shares gives you not only motivation but specific tactics to implement. He takes the principles that helped make the student volunteer movement successful and shows how they can be used today to see more laborers in the harvest. If you work with college students or want to see your church get involved in the great commission I highly recommend this book.

[Meredith Lipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todd is one of the people who has most challenged me over the past 4 years!! A great read both educationally and on my purpose. I continually felt convicted to check my heart on my current desires and how they match up to God’s heart. Grateful for the ways the Lord has and will continue to use Todd to challenge me to become more of a World Christian in reaching the unreached both here and abroad

[Matt Henningsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a pretty decent book. 7/10. Had a few chapters that were unique to what I’ve read before that added something to the table revolving missions work. First two sections of the book are in other books better written and displayed to the audience.

[S Stucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time through this book. I love how he connects history with future possibilities.

[Kimberly Duffle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great view into the history of missions!

[Rian Jeffers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an insightful read! Mr. Ahrend's focus is to describe the power of obedient students in the hands of the Almighty God for the advancement of His kingdom. He begins with the background of the Student Volunteer Movement leaders, mission, and mentors–highlighting the Biblical foundation for reaching the world with the Gospel and how prayer and obedience were the spark and fuel of America's missions movement.
He focuses on the various aspects of the movement that allowed for years of growth and fruit in the Kingdom, emphasizing the connections to today's mission movement. All in all, Ahrend's work captured the very essence of what is keeping the United States from obedience to God's commission as well as what needs to take place for us as the Body to return to that state.
Todd ends his work with a vision of the future:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
Revelation 7:9 ESV

[Austyn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot think of a more challenging book to read as a college student. Hearing the stories and the history behind the Student Volunteer Movement have impacted my life tremendously. Robert Wilders testimony has challenged me to pray hard for God to use me in the most strategic way possible!

[Amber C · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought-provoking read on learning from the history of missions and how we should apply that to today.

[Caitlin Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful to see the Student Volunteer Movement and its implications on our Christian walks today