Love Goes First: Reaching Others in an Age of Anxiety and Division

by Andrew Forrest

The only way to truly change the world is to truly love it, and the only way to truly love it is to go first and move toward it.

Today, the cultural climate in the West is characterized by increasing amounts of mistrust and even hatred for others. We are fearful of other people, particularly those whose views and votes don't correspond with our own. This won't change any time soon, and the divides won't be bridged easily, but loving our neighbors isn't an option for the Church--it's a command of Jesus. So how do we do this in our chilly spiritual climate? How should the American church move forward from a weakening cultural position?

Andrew Forrest unfolds a simple framework that applies to every single relationship in our lives. Readers will be inspired and prepared to risk and reach out to others, even or especially when they are afraid of those who are different or when they risk being misunderstood. They will learn how--if they choose--to transform those relationships into friendships of mutual respect. More than that, Love Goes First provides profound insights into the love of God, and they will have a new awe and appreciation for the steps God is taking to redeem the world he has made.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Andrew thank you for bringing the light to my eyes! The Lord clearly had you write this book for me at this time! I highlighted so many spots in the book, but I think my favorite line was “…if you are going to get wounded anyway, you might as well move forward in action.” You also said “You will hurt…because every act of sacrificial love involves a degree of dying to self no matter what.” Your preaching is always spot on and now this book was the same. Thank you for spending your time writing the obvious for hard-headed people like to me to realize.

[Dennis Barger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book explaining our current culural environment and the one solution for everyone. It is written by a pastor who is an exclelent speaker and a bible scholar. He clearly details the transition of our county's founding on Christianity evolving to today's post Christianity state. He explains why it is difficult for rational persons who think using facts to sway people who operate on feelings. He ends with expressing why Love needs to go first as a solution. Well done!

[Beth Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! An encouraging book on stepping out in faith and the changes we can see in our relationships. This book challenged me to dare to initiate repairs in broken relationships, calm anxious hearts or dissipate heated arguments by loving others and taking the first steps forward towards healing. Love Goes First reminds us that Jesus did exactly that for each one of us and, as believers, we desire to live and love as Jesus lived and loves. I highly recommend this book.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and encouraging...a hopeful plan for continuing the Great Commission in American culture.

[Kim Renkema · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in a divided and polarized world with more access to information than ever before but what’s it going to take to move forward? This book reminds us to simply go first in love to everyone!!

[Jack Bussert · Rating 1 out of 5]

As with most books I don’t like, I will try to keep this brief. The central thrust, that the best way to spread the love of Christ is to take the initiative and actively spread it, is fine. However, his arguments supporting his claim are nonsensical and often bring up unrelated culture war issues. He also makes several assumptions about how the love of Christ manifests and what Christ calls us to do, to the point that I don’t feel this book is for Christians who subscribe to several other denominations/traditions.
I do not recommend this book.