What do you think?
Rate this book
Running to the Fire: Helping in Jesus' Name
How did a small-town boy with no experience become the “Indiana Jones of global relief” with one of the most effective humanitarian organizations in the world? Because God dreams bigger than we do.Join Ken Isaacs on his personal journey from answering God’s “Are you serious?” call through three decades of boots-on-the-ground stories showing us how to be a Good Samaritan no matter where we are. Offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the incredible work of Samaritan’s Purse, this action-packed memoir takes us from the 1989 Ethiopian famine to the 1994 Rwandan genocide to the 2011 Japanese tsunami up to today’s worldwide crises—and the countless decisions, dangers, and prayers along the way.With reflections drawn from Scripture and decades of ministry, Running to the Fire is a testimony to God’s goodness as well as a call to live boldly, love radically, and trust deeply in the God who guides us not away from the fire but through it.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 29, 2025
Citation:Isaacs, Ken. Running to the Fire: Helping in Jesus’ Name. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2023.
Introduction
Ken Isaacs’s Running to the Fire offers a compelling narrative of life in missions and humanitarian relief. The book chronicles Isaacs’s decades of front-line service with Samaritan’s Purse, highlighting the spiritual and practical challenges of responding to global disasters, from famines in Africa to tsunamis in Japan. Its blend of storytelling, biblical reflection, and practical application makes it a valuable resource for church leaders, mission teams, and anyone called to serve in difficult or dangerous contexts.
This work has been particularly meaningful for me because my wife, April, serves with Samaritan’s Purse’s DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team), and I volunteer with the relief agency in support roles. Reading Isaacs’s account has both encouraged and equipped me, reinforcing the urgency and faithfulness required to respond to God’s call in crisis zones.
Summary
Running to the Fire shares inspirational stories of actual events across multiple continents, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas, highlighting famine relief, war zones, and natural disaster responses. Through vivid storytelling, Isaacs illustrates the challenges and joys of entering high-risk environments to serve those in desperate need. The book combines personal anecdotes, practical lessons, and biblical reflection, showing how faith, courage, and obedience intersect in the work of humanitarian missions. Isaacs consistently demonstrates that God calls ordinary believers to step into extraordinary situations, trusting Him to provide guidance, protection, and the strength to make a difference.
Impact
Running to the Fire has profoundly reinforced my understanding of missions and relief work. Isaacs’s example resonates deeply with my family’s experience: April’s service with DART and my volunteer involvement have given me firsthand insight into the challenges and blessings of humanitarian ministry. The book has encouraged me to persevere, seek God’s guidance in crisis situations, and view every act of service as an opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love tangibly.
Isaacs’s careful storytelling, grounded in real-world experience, has also been a tool for teaching and equipping others. It provides practical lessons for church members, mission teams, and leaders, helping them understand both the spiritual and operational dimensions of serving in high-risk contexts.
Personal Reflection
Reading Isaacs’s memoir has inspired me personally and reinforced a principle that has shaped my ministry: faithful service is costly but transformative. His stories remind me that, as believers, we are called not only to pray for the suffering but to actively engage where God has placed us. The book has strengthened my resolve to support April’s ongoing work with DART and to continue volunteering in ways that advance the gospel in tangible, life-saving ways.
Conclusion
Running to the Fire is an inspiring resource filled with stories of actual events for pastors, mission teams, and laypersons seeking to live out their faith in service to others. Isaacs equips readers to respond boldly to God’s call, integrating Scripture, compassion, and practical aid in the most challenging contexts. For anyone considering or currently engaged in missions, disaster relief, or humanitarian service, this book provides both encouragement and instruction, demonstrating that obedience to God’s call brings hope, healing, and the gospel to the world’s most desperate situations.
Note: We listened to the audiobook version of Running to the Fire and were not compensated for this review.
Introduction
Ken Isaacs’s Running to the Fire offers a compelling narrative of life in missions and humanitarian relief. The book chronicles Isaacs’s decades of front-line service with Samaritan’s Purse, highlighting the spiritual and practical challenges of responding to global disasters, from famines in Africa to tsunamis in Japan. Its blend of storytelling, biblical reflection, and practical application makes it a valuable resource for church leaders, mission teams, and anyone called to serve in difficult or dangerous contexts.
This work has been particularly meaningful for me because my wife, April, serves with Samaritan’s Purse’s DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team), and I volunteer with the relief agency in support roles. Reading Isaacs’s account has both encouraged and equipped me, reinforcing the urgency and faithfulness required to respond to God’s call in crisis zones.
Summary
Running to the Fire shares inspirational stories of actual events across multiple continents, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas, highlighting famine relief, war zones, and natural disaster responses. Through vivid storytelling, Isaacs illustrates the challenges and joys of entering high-risk environments to serve those in desperate need. The book combines personal anecdotes, practical lessons, and biblical reflection, showing how faith, courage, and obedience intersect in the work of humanitarian missions. Isaacs consistently demonstrates that God calls ordinary believers to step into extraordinary situations, trusting Him to provide guidance, protection, and the strength to make a difference.
Impact
Running to the Fire has profoundly reinforced my understanding of missions and relief work. Isaacs’s example resonates deeply with my family’s experience: April’s service with DART and my volunteer involvement have given me firsthand insight into the challenges and blessings of humanitarian ministry. The book has encouraged me to persevere, seek God’s guidance in crisis situations, and view every act of service as an opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love tangibly.
Isaacs’s careful storytelling, grounded in real-world experience, has also been a tool for teaching and equipping others. It provides practical lessons for church members, mission teams, and leaders, helping them understand both the spiritual and operational dimensions of serving in high-risk contexts.
Personal Reflection
Reading Isaacs’s memoir has inspired me personally and reinforced a principle that has shaped my ministry: faithful service is costly but transformative. His stories remind me that, as believers, we are called not only to pray for the suffering but to actively engage where God has placed us. The book has strengthened my resolve to support April’s ongoing work with DART and to continue volunteering in ways that advance the gospel in tangible, life-saving ways.
Conclusion
Running to the Fire is an inspiring resource filled with stories of actual events for pastors, mission teams, and laypersons seeking to live out their faith in service to others. Isaacs equips readers to respond boldly to God’s call, integrating Scripture, compassion, and practical aid in the most challenging contexts. For anyone considering or currently engaged in missions, disaster relief, or humanitarian service, this book provides both encouragement and instruction, demonstrating that obedience to God’s call brings hope, healing, and the gospel to the world’s most desperate situations.
Note: We listened to the audiobook version of Running to the Fire and were not compensated for this review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review