I'm Out to Change My World

by Ann Kiemel

Ann Kiemel is a very unusual young lady who invariably opens her many and varied speaking engagements with a simple, "Hi, I'm Ann, I'm an ordinary girl who is out to change my world." — Not many people will disagree with the fact that most of the world needs changing. The problem always seems to be finding the best place for a person to start, or whether you could make a difference if you started at all.

Ann Kiemel is a young woman who believes that the world can only be changed a person at a time and in her travels across the country and her strong involvement with people in her neighborhood and in connection with her position as Dean of Women and everywhere she goes, she is out to change the world. In a quiet, effective way on airplanes, in her office, in conferences, her message is simple but powerful: "I'm an ordinary girl with a great big God inside of me and we are out to win the world with love. Join hands with me, mister, little boy, lady, teenaged girl--join hands and we can change the world."

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Inspirational, Poetry

119 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Pamela J. Dickey]

When I read this book as a young teen, it tapped into my longing to be a part of something bigger and to do something that made a difference - to know I was important. As an adult I appreciate the flow of the prose, Ann's authentic voice, and the fact that the challenge she presents is still fresh and still resonates.

[Kayla]

I could not read a single page without tears building in my eyes. All of these testimonies reminded how big and loving God is, and that He and us can change the world in love.
I think Ann’s writing, though simple, is incredibly impactful because it is genuine. One can truly see that she cares about loving people because she draws from the love God has shown her.

[Fran]

Ann Kiemel says she is an ordinary girl with a giant of a God inside her. She is out to change her world and love everyone to Him. Her writing is poetic though un-rhyming. You need to read it aloud to really appreciate how it flows. I was privileged to meet Ann, and to hear her speak, at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in the city where I lived in the late 70s or early 80s. If Ann does not inspire you, there is no hope.

[Kent]

Anne's invitational writing compels me. Compels me to believe my part matters. That little, everyday, unknown people like me can change the world.

Anne surely paid it forward in this very brief but moving work.

[Jim]

back in high school and college reading ann kiemel taught me how to live and write

[Sandra Wassenaar]

My mom gave me this book a couple years back. It was a book that impacted her when she first became a Christian. I honestly loved it. It’s quirky and written so uniquely, and very very encouraging and refreshing. It’s just about this faith filled woman named Ann who’s “out to change her world.” Each “chapter” is just another story about someone in her world that she chose to love and what happened with that. A lot of them became Christians just from her loving them. Just convicting and light and encouraging and hopeful.

[JimtheDean]

I’ve read this book a number of times over the years, but this is the first time in awhile. It’s a different style and a different tone, but brought me back to the early roots of my faith...a more simple faith. It reminded me of the simplicity of deep and abiding faith in who Christ is. It led me to prayer regularly.

This book won’t be for some...maybe many. For some it may be an anchor (in the good sense of the word) for their faith and belief.

[Rich Thornton]

Ann Kiemel calls herself a simple young woman who believes that Jesus and her and love can change the world. She tells stories of encounters with people who experience life change through seeing the Love of God.

[Maren Congrove]

A cute and sweet time capsule with a timeless message about love.

[Alicia Caouette]

This is a different sort of book, a collection of stories told in a poetic way, about encounters she's had with different kinds of people. Her goal in life is to change her world by loving people and sharing Jesus with them. Her simple stories are inspiring and encouraging. Shes "an ordinary person" on a mission, and it makes me feel like I could be that too.

[Sheri]

I recall my Mom having this book when I was a teenager.
One day I picked it up to read - I would read about anything I could get my hands on, I loved reading so much!
This book is one of the best I've ever read! We should ALL be Out to Change Our World!
Ann's story is filled with so much love and light.
Reading this book changed my world as a teenager.
I have gone back and read, "I'm Out To Change My World" numerous times and it inspires me
every time!

[Natalie Weber]

Ann’s writing is very poetic and she shares transparently of numerous situations where the Lord led her to do things with which she was uncomfortable for the sake of glorifying Him and sharing His love with those He placed in her path.

[Agreenwalt]

An inspirational read~ inspires to be JESUS to the world by simply loving people, one-at-a-time!