Unconditional Love: Radical Stories, Real People

by Ben Stroup, Joe Bradford (Editor)

 Inspired by the film Unconditional and Papa Joe Bradford's outreach to at-risk children, Unconditional Love gathers real-life stories celebrating the best in ordinary people who have found extraordinary ways to act as the hands and feet of Jesus in their time and place. Through them we see what matters most in this life, we stir our God-made desire to help others in need, and the world becomes a better place.

Papa Joe writes the collection's foreword, starting the conversation about how God's love compels us to show unconditional love for others in ways simple and profound, selfless and yet so rewarding.


We meet a band whose trip to Africa resulted in an effort that has so far provided life-saving water and health care to more than 600,000 people. In Tennessee, an 80-year-old woman works a plan to feed 2,000 homeless each week.


Others give from their own struggles: a teenager who lost his leg raises money to provide other children with prosthetics; a woman whose brother was killed on 9/11 helps Afghani refugees who fled the Taliban feel at home in the United States; a human rights agency rescues victimes of slavery and sexual exploitation.


A host of other stories bringing our lives into clearer social and spiritual focus are combined with inspirational quotes, a Bible reading plan, and other tools to encourage further self-discovery and greater personal outreach.

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

Ben Stroup is Chief Growth Architect and President at Velocity Strategy Solutions, a next-generation business strategy and management consulting firm focused on helping ambitious leaders align teams, simplify technology, eliminate friction, and drive revenue. He is a futurist, disruptor, and data champion having served organizations from $5MM to more than $500MM in revenue for more than 18 years. Ben's written and edited dozens of books on leadership and growth and is a frequent speaker, podcaster, and guest for business and industry groups. His most recent book, Master the Pivot, was released in 2020. Ben, his wife, and two boys live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories about people who saw a problem and did something’s about it. “God did not intend for us to live lives disconnected from the people around us. Rather, He wants us to invest in people through relationships and authentic community... We only make room for unconditional love when we recognize the recipient doesn’t have the capacity to return it.” It was very inspirational. You just need to see a need in front of you. These people just saw a little need that they would try to help. They didn’t wait for things to be perfect or planned and easy.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring stories about people who are pouring their lives into others

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each chapter is a separate story about an ordinary person who makes a difference in their world.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories about people who have reached out to the less fortunate in their neiborhood or the world with suprising results.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It shows that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories of hope and contagious joy!