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From the Rising of the Sun: A Journey of Worship Around the World
A unique view of Christian worship around the world (with free streaming video!)
The Gospel Coalition 2025 Book Award Winner (Missions & The Global Church); Southwestern Journal of Theology 2025 Book Award Honorable Mention (Evangelism/Missions/Global Church)
Get ready to travel the globe and experience the beauty of Christian worship like never before. From the Rising of the Sun takes you on an unforgettable journey, showcasing how believers from all corners of the earth praise God in ways that are consistent with Scripture but faithful to the local language, customs, and culture. And here's the best part--this book includes a code for free streaming access to a 12-episode video series, so you can witness these incredible moments of worship for yourself!
Starting in Fiji, you'll follow the sun as it rises and sets, moving through Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and beyond. Along the way, you'll meet brothers and sisters in Christ who worship amidst stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and remote jungles. From the hymns sung in Korea's bustling metropolises to the prayers offered in Zambia's open plains, you'll see and feel the unity and diversity of God's people.
Each chapter invites you into the heart of a country or region and
Beautiful descriptions of diverse worship.Fascinating travel anecdotes.Meaningful Bible studies.Reflections on worship.Discussion questions.A video session to enhance your experience.Whether you're passionate about global missions, fascinated by cultural diversity, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of worship, From the Rising of the Sun will inspire and uplift you. Take this unique opportunity to celebrate God's glory through the voices of believers worldwide, and see how the Gospel unites us all.
Join this global symphony and experience a taste of Revelation 5:9 as we, along with our brothers and sisters worldwide, worship the One who by His blood has "ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
The Gospel Coalition 2025 Book Award Winner (Missions & The Global Church); Southwestern Journal of Theology 2025 Book Award Honorable Mention (Evangelism/Missions/Global Church)
Get ready to travel the globe and experience the beauty of Christian worship like never before. From the Rising of the Sun takes you on an unforgettable journey, showcasing how believers from all corners of the earth praise God in ways that are consistent with Scripture but faithful to the local language, customs, and culture. And here's the best part--this book includes a code for free streaming access to a 12-episode video series, so you can witness these incredible moments of worship for yourself!
Starting in Fiji, you'll follow the sun as it rises and sets, moving through Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and beyond. Along the way, you'll meet brothers and sisters in Christ who worship amidst stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and remote jungles. From the hymns sung in Korea's bustling metropolises to the prayers offered in Zambia's open plains, you'll see and feel the unity and diversity of God's people.
Each chapter invites you into the heart of a country or region and
Beautiful descriptions of diverse worship.Fascinating travel anecdotes.Meaningful Bible studies.Reflections on worship.Discussion questions.A video session to enhance your experience.Whether you're passionate about global missions, fascinated by cultural diversity, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of worship, From the Rising of the Sun will inspire and uplift you. Take this unique opportunity to celebrate God's glory through the voices of believers worldwide, and see how the Gospel unites us all.
Join this global symphony and experience a taste of Revelation 5:9 as we, along with our brothers and sisters worldwide, worship the One who by His blood has "ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
34 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Tim Challies
62 books1,571 followersTim Challies is a leading evangelical blogger. A self-employed web designer, Tim lives in the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario with his wife and children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 6, 2026
I loved the idea of this book - and appreciate its intention: to demonstrate the unity and diversity of worship in global evangelicalism. And the authors are at pains to be encouraging and to bring a gospel lens - both to the historic spread of the gospel, and it's manifestations in Christian worship. They describe some beautiful moments - I found their recollections from their time in churches in Morocco and Chile especially moving.
However, this also underpins it's weakness: the authors visit only Reformed churches, which aren't very representative of global Christianity. They also err on the side of imbuing wholly pure motives to historic missionaries. Perhaps they are right to do so, seeing a tendency towards the opposite. But the lack of honesty in declaring both of these positions from the outset weakens the authors' case and may unwittingly annoy or ostracise younger readers with these concerns.
However, this also underpins it's weakness: the authors visit only Reformed churches, which aren't very representative of global Christianity. They also err on the side of imbuing wholly pure motives to historic missionaries. Perhaps they are right to do so, seeing a tendency towards the opposite. But the lack of honesty in declaring both of these positions from the outset weakens the authors' case and may unwittingly annoy or ostracise younger readers with these concerns.
October 25, 2025
What a wonderful journey: reading not only about different peoples and cultures from around the world, but hearing from different believers and experiencing their worship services! I'm thankful for the Two Tims for putting this project together and eagerly anticipate watching the accompanying videos.
September 23, 2025
This project is what happens when a pastor, speaker, and blogger teams up with a documentary storyteller to explore and share glimpses of the global church.
The journey starts in Fiji and follows the sun to Australia, Asia (Korea and Cambodia), Europe (Poland), Africa (Zambia and Morocco), and the Americas (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, USA). From the hymns sung in Korea’s bustling metropolises to the prayers offered in Zambia’s open plains and a house church in Morocco, you’ll see and feel the unity and diversity of God’s people. Part travelogue, part devotional, each section includes interviews, background, and reflections on worship from Tim Challies with discussion questions.
When you buy the book in any format, you’ll also get a code for free streaming access to a high-quality, 12-episode series of videos (each about 20 minutes long) which are even better.
Either the book or video series could stand alone; they cover the same ground. This is not set up as a small group or classroom curriculum but wouldn’t take you much of a step to get there.
The journey starts in Fiji and follows the sun to Australia, Asia (Korea and Cambodia), Europe (Poland), Africa (Zambia and Morocco), and the Americas (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, USA). From the hymns sung in Korea’s bustling metropolises to the prayers offered in Zambia’s open plains and a house church in Morocco, you’ll see and feel the unity and diversity of God’s people. Part travelogue, part devotional, each section includes interviews, background, and reflections on worship from Tim Challies with discussion questions.
When you buy the book in any format, you’ll also get a code for free streaming access to a high-quality, 12-episode series of videos (each about 20 minutes long) which are even better.
Either the book or video series could stand alone; they cover the same ground. This is not set up as a small group or classroom curriculum but wouldn’t take you much of a step to get there.
December 29, 2025
What a wonderful journey of travel around the world, from time-zone to time-zone, following the sun as it rises on a new congregation in a new land and new language, but the same faith, the same Scriptures and people worshipping the same Risen Savior. This documentary book (along with the accompanying videos) tells a rich story of how believers of different cultures worship Biblically, even if they have different expressions of worship. Tim Keesee writes the main chapters, narrating the journey, the people and the experiences. Tim Challies has a devotional though after each chapter that aids in seeing the larger picture of worship of the one True God and how what we have read might apply to our lives. I highly recommend this book and the videos that go with it.
January 28, 2026
This was a great idea of a book. Two men travel across the globe and write their brief reflections on how Christians worship on Sundays. It definitely warmed my heart to the universal church and opened my eyes to culture.
This is a good book to recommend. Maybe to awaken some more love for missionaries in your congregation.
This is a good book to recommend. Maybe to awaken some more love for missionaries in your congregation.
October 31, 2025
This book by Tim Challies and Tim Keesee reminded me of the excellent Dispatches from the Front documentary films that Keesee made with Frontline Missions that “highlighted the marvelous extent, diversity, and unity of Christ’s Kingdom in our world”. In this book (which has accompanying streaming videos that you can access via a code in the book), Keesee joins Tim Challies on an odyssey that took them from the rising of the sun to its setting, from one side of the earth to the other.
The world is divided into twenty-four time zones. The authors decided to aim for about twelve episodes, or a country in roughly every second time zone. Once they had chosen countries, they began to search for churches within them. They found faithful churches that align with a variety of Protestant traditions. All were bound together by a deep commitment to Scripture and sound doctrine. This book is about their visits to those churches and worship services all around the world.
Each of the chapters is a travelogue drawn from Keesee’s journal during the three or four days that he and Challies spent at each location, giving the feeling that as a reader or viewer, we are right along with them.
Between the travelogue chapters that that Keesee wrote are special features that Challies wrote to go deeper on the subject of Christian worship. Challies also wrote helpful discussion questions for personal or group use to help you get the most out of the journey together.
Their travels began in Fiji, and took them to Australia, South Korea, Cambodia, Zambia, Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Chili, Mexico, before ending in Alaska.
I enjoyed reading and watching the authors as they worshipped with diverse gatherings of believers on six continents for more than a year.
The world is divided into twenty-four time zones. The authors decided to aim for about twelve episodes, or a country in roughly every second time zone. Once they had chosen countries, they began to search for churches within them. They found faithful churches that align with a variety of Protestant traditions. All were bound together by a deep commitment to Scripture and sound doctrine. This book is about their visits to those churches and worship services all around the world.
Each of the chapters is a travelogue drawn from Keesee’s journal during the three or four days that he and Challies spent at each location, giving the feeling that as a reader or viewer, we are right along with them.
Between the travelogue chapters that that Keesee wrote are special features that Challies wrote to go deeper on the subject of Christian worship. Challies also wrote helpful discussion questions for personal or group use to help you get the most out of the journey together.
Their travels began in Fiji, and took them to Australia, South Korea, Cambodia, Zambia, Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Chili, Mexico, before ending in Alaska.
I enjoyed reading and watching the authors as they worshipped with diverse gatherings of believers on six continents for more than a year.
November 7, 2025
I just love what this book represents - a celebration of the long and mighty arm of the Lord to save. It's a recognition of the fact that the Lord has done just that - rescued men and women, at the cost of his own blood, across the continents. We rightly emphasize the need for missionaries to take up the call to go and continue the work of reaching the nations, but we sometimes forget to praise God for the work he has already done. Tim Challies and Keesee have gifted us with a reminder of God's kindness across globe with this book. I heartily recommend it, along with the outstanding new song by CityAlight, Rise with the Sun, which they wrote to accompany the book.
October 1, 2025
What a fantastic book. I listened to this as an ALC through Libro.fm
I’ve read Tim Kesee’s previous book, Dispatches from the Front, and marveled at the ways in which God is working in other countries that are so very different from ours. That book moved me to worship, to conviction in my spirit, and to a greater appreciation for the global kingdom of God in all its glorious diversity.
This book was a very similar experience for me. Kesee is a gifted writer, but even moreso, the idea for this book was genius. He and Tim Challies start at the International Dateline in Fiji, worshipping there at a local church, getting to know the people and the culture. Then they follow the sun’s movement to their next location and spend a Sunday worshipping with a local church there. Covered in this book are their experiences in Poland, Australia, Zambia, Cambodia, Chile, South Korea, and a remote Aleutian island, just to name a few!
This is what heaven will be - different people groups and languages and cultures joined to worship their same Savior!
Additionally, the book (yes, even the audiobook), has photos and discussion questions, and even a link to a series of 20-minute videos from each of the locations where they worshipped! I’ve not yet completed those but what I have watched is spellbinding and encouraging.
Highly recommended, not just for those interested in global missions, but for every believer. We all benefit greatly from this perspective on what God is doing in His kingdom!
I’ve read Tim Kesee’s previous book, Dispatches from the Front, and marveled at the ways in which God is working in other countries that are so very different from ours. That book moved me to worship, to conviction in my spirit, and to a greater appreciation for the global kingdom of God in all its glorious diversity.
This book was a very similar experience for me. Kesee is a gifted writer, but even moreso, the idea for this book was genius. He and Tim Challies start at the International Dateline in Fiji, worshipping there at a local church, getting to know the people and the culture. Then they follow the sun’s movement to their next location and spend a Sunday worshipping with a local church there. Covered in this book are their experiences in Poland, Australia, Zambia, Cambodia, Chile, South Korea, and a remote Aleutian island, just to name a few!
This is what heaven will be - different people groups and languages and cultures joined to worship their same Savior!
Additionally, the book (yes, even the audiobook), has photos and discussion questions, and even a link to a series of 20-minute videos from each of the locations where they worshipped! I’ve not yet completed those but what I have watched is spellbinding and encouraging.
Highly recommended, not just for those interested in global missions, but for every believer. We all benefit greatly from this perspective on what God is doing in His kingdom!
August 19, 2025
In From the Rising of the Sun, Tim Challies and Tim Keesee take you on a journey of worship around the world. This book chronicles their travels as they discover how churches worship God in their own unique ways. From Lautoka, Fiji, to Unalaska, Alaska — this book will open your eyes to the praise of our God.
Customs and Cultures
Each church visited aligns with a variety of Protestant traditions. I found their descriptions to be familiar in preaching and worship, but varied in terms of customs and cultures. Keesee provides travelogue entries, while Challies offers reflections on the different elements of Christian worship they encountered.
While different music and singing styles are highlighted around the world, I was most delighted to read about their visit to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia — the home church of CityAlight. I loved reading about their ministry and convictions, especially when it comes to long songwriting sessions to get their words right, how most in their band see themselves as volunteers and hold regular jobs, and the emphasis on making their songs singable.
I was most moved by their visit to Yullin Church in Seoul, South Korea. Keesee dives into the history of missionaries and the beginnings of Korean Christianity, reminding me of the work of faithful Christians who have gone before me. He introduces us to the pastors and people of the church. I saw the importance of prayer and heard about a sermon on how the gospel must continue to be shared in our own individual families.
Gather with God’s People
I was most convicted by the house churches in Casablanca, Morocco. They don’t meet in homes to be countercultural or trendy — they are forbidden to organize Christian activities openly. I now better appreciate the privilege I have, and I don’t want to waste a single Sunday I get to gather with God’s people.
From the Rising of the Sun is a fascinating testimony of God’s faithfulness to His church, the wonderful worship of Christ, and the power of the Spirit to move in God’s people.
I received a media copy of From the Rising of the Sun and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
Customs and Cultures
Each church visited aligns with a variety of Protestant traditions. I found their descriptions to be familiar in preaching and worship, but varied in terms of customs and cultures. Keesee provides travelogue entries, while Challies offers reflections on the different elements of Christian worship they encountered.
While different music and singing styles are highlighted around the world, I was most delighted to read about their visit to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia — the home church of CityAlight. I loved reading about their ministry and convictions, especially when it comes to long songwriting sessions to get their words right, how most in their band see themselves as volunteers and hold regular jobs, and the emphasis on making their songs singable.
I was most moved by their visit to Yullin Church in Seoul, South Korea. Keesee dives into the history of missionaries and the beginnings of Korean Christianity, reminding me of the work of faithful Christians who have gone before me. He introduces us to the pastors and people of the church. I saw the importance of prayer and heard about a sermon on how the gospel must continue to be shared in our own individual families.
Gather with God’s People
I was most convicted by the house churches in Casablanca, Morocco. They don’t meet in homes to be countercultural or trendy — they are forbidden to organize Christian activities openly. I now better appreciate the privilege I have, and I don’t want to waste a single Sunday I get to gather with God’s people.
From the Rising of the Sun is a fascinating testimony of God’s faithfulness to His church, the wonderful worship of Christ, and the power of the Spirit to move in God’s people.
I received a media copy of From the Rising of the Sun and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
September 16, 2025
The concept of From the Rising of the Sun was to visit numerous countries and discover how these different cultures and peoples worship God on a Sunday morning, following the journey of the sun around the world. Different places incorporated different elements into their worship service than we are used to in the continental US, such as dancing and using more culturally significant instruments. Some churches put more of an emphasis on teaching and preaching, while others emphasized the music and singing. Throughout and in between chapters, we had history interspersed with discussion on different elements being included in worship. Even though some of the churches the Tims visited believed differently than they did, they were able to connect with people on their joint love for God, and pointed out in their writing that we can have love for everyone, even if they do not share all our beliefs exactly.
As a worship director myself, with a similar passion and desire to worship with people around the world someday, I greatly appreciated the journey through this book. While I did not get a chance to watch the accompanying video series, I could almost imagine the different services as they were described. Overall, this book was a great encouragement to me as I continue learning more about what it means to worship each and every day in everything I do.
As a worship director myself, with a similar passion and desire to worship with people around the world someday, I greatly appreciated the journey through this book. While I did not get a chance to watch the accompanying video series, I could almost imagine the different services as they were described. Overall, this book was a great encouragement to me as I continue learning more about what it means to worship each and every day in everything I do.
September 4, 2025
This book shows that western Christians can be so myopic in our view of our own worship. brothers and sisters around the world are worshipping the same God using the same scripture as part of a chorus of believers.
The authors visit prominent churches and churches that are know only to their congregants and to God, but the object of the worship is the same. I recently had to repent to a pastor for judging him and his flock for the sin of not being my church. This book serves to hammer that idea home, that though our differences are plentiful, what we have in common, Jesus, is far greater than any minor differences in the way we worship.
edit: in the past year I've read several books that in the end were valued for the increase in my knowledge. this is the first book in a long time that challaged me and my practice. what does my worship look like? You might find it does the same for you too
The authors visit prominent churches and churches that are know only to their congregants and to God, but the object of the worship is the same. I recently had to repent to a pastor for judging him and his flock for the sin of not being my church. This book serves to hammer that idea home, that though our differences are plentiful, what we have in common, Jesus, is far greater than any minor differences in the way we worship.
edit: in the past year I've read several books that in the end were valued for the increase in my knowledge. this is the first book in a long time that challaged me and my practice. what does my worship look like? You might find it does the same for you too
September 8, 2025
A wonderful book about the worship of God’s people around the world. The authors focused on biblical-faithful, often Reformed, congregations that worship in a variety of languages and cultures, but all stay true to what God says about worship. The videos included with every book add depth to the book and allows the reader to see the people mentioned in the text. This would be a great book to read with a group because of the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. It’s also helpful for those moving into missions and/or music ministry.
December 10, 2025
|| 4.5 ⭐️ ||
This was such a neat read!! If they ever decide to travel to even more churches around the world and write a part 2, I’d be eager to read that too. It’s encouraging to be reminded of the broader Church that God is building, united in the gospel and yet diverse in so many other ways. It gives me a glimpse into what heaven will be like, and I’m looking forward to meeting and worshipping with fellow believers from every corner of the world in eternity.
This was such a neat read!! If they ever decide to travel to even more churches around the world and write a part 2, I’d be eager to read that too. It’s encouraging to be reminded of the broader Church that God is building, united in the gospel and yet diverse in so many other ways. It gives me a glimpse into what heaven will be like, and I’m looking forward to meeting and worshipping with fellow believers from every corner of the world in eternity.
December 15, 2025
This was such a good book. I looked forward to every chapter. Keesee has a great writing style and gives fantastic descriptions of the churches they visited. Each chapter also had discussion questions and a section about cultural differences that are helpful to know.
Don't miss the videos found on Study Gateway that go along with each chapter. It's a great way to put faces with the names and to see the vast differences in the locations they visited.
Praise the Lord for His church!
Don't miss the videos found on Study Gateway that go along with each chapter. It's a great way to put faces with the names and to see the vast differences in the locations they visited.
Praise the Lord for His church!
September 6, 2025
By God’s grace and providence, Tim and Tim turned my own dream into their reality. This book is a wondrous documentation of their experiences perfectly highlighting the diversity, unity, and beauty of the global church, and it will leave you with nothing but awe and praise for our great, global God. I will be recommending this book for anyone and everyone!
November 12, 2025
Davis Livingstone once said, “It is far easier to travel than to write about it.” Tim Keesee is a master at both! What an incredible account of true worship throughout the world! In between these incredible accounts, Tim Challies shares helpful tidbits for those traveling abroad. I cannot wait to watch the series the book follows.
September 21, 2025
I always enjoy Tim Keesee’s writing and I appreciated Challies thoughtful questions at the end of the chapters. It was a joy to experience worship in many languages and countries. Such a treat to see the body of Christ around the world.
November 19, 2025
This was a unique book and a reminder that when we worship every Sunday at our local church, many believers around the world are united in the same purpose. There’s a tie of unity in Christ that binds us together.
January 11, 2026
Intensely worship-inspiring and edifying. The videos contain even more. Privileged to have hosted Challies for a trip around Singapore for his stopover day which was part of this journey. May God continue to use these brothers mightily.
January 19, 2026
A wonderful collection of short travel logs to visit church services around the world. This book was an encouragement to me as it reflected on the work of the church spreading out to all corners of the world while maintaining the message of the Gospel.
October 7, 2025
An absolute delight!
October 18, 2025
Beautiful portrait of Revelation 5:9.
October 21, 2025
An uplifting and delightful book which honors the Church and exalts our Savior King who rules over it. Please feast upon these pages (or the audio as I did) for the joy of your own soul!
November 16, 2025
Loved it! Each story from each country visited had me hooked from the first sentence! A must read!
November 28, 2025
Another easy read by Tim Keesee that I wish I had written.
December 23, 2025
I loved the audiobook read by the authors. I now want to see the documentary.
January 14, 2026
Very cool to read about and be reminded of our brothers and sisters in Christ worshipping around the world!
January 18, 2026
Generous and beautiful picture of the church around the globe. We have much more in common than we have differences. Christ is redeeming a people from among all the peoples! Great book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews