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Fight for the Forgotten: How a Mixed Martial Artist Stopped Fighting for Himself and Started Fighting for Others
From notable mixed martial artist and UFC fighter, Justin Wren, comes a personal account of faith, redemption, empowerment, and overwhelming love as one man sets out on an international mission to fight for those who can't fight for themselves.
Justin Wren knows what it's like to feel like the world is against you. Like many kids, Justin was bullied as a child, but had a dream that kept him going. Fueled by the anger he felt toward his tormenters, Justin trained hard and propelled his dream of becoming a UFC fighter into reality. But the pain from his childhood didn't dissipate and Justin fell into a spiral of depression and addiction, leading him on a path toward destruction. After getting kicked out of his training community, his career was in shambles and he had nowhere else to go, so Justin attended a men's retreat, and it was there he found God.
As Justin began piecing his life back together, he joined several international mission trips that opened his eyes and his heart to a world filled with suffering deep in the jungle of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There he came across the Mbuti Pygmy tribe, a group of people persecuted by neighboring tribes and forced into slavery. His encounter with the Pygmy tribe left him wondering who was there to help them and in that moment Justin stepped out of the ring and into a fight for the forgotten.
From cage fighter to freedom fighter, Justin's story is a deeply personal memoir with a bigger message about a quest, justice, and the amazing things that can happen when we relinquish our lives to God.
Justin Wren knows what it's like to feel like the world is against you. Like many kids, Justin was bullied as a child, but had a dream that kept him going. Fueled by the anger he felt toward his tormenters, Justin trained hard and propelled his dream of becoming a UFC fighter into reality. But the pain from his childhood didn't dissipate and Justin fell into a spiral of depression and addiction, leading him on a path toward destruction. After getting kicked out of his training community, his career was in shambles and he had nowhere else to go, so Justin attended a men's retreat, and it was there he found God.
As Justin began piecing his life back together, he joined several international mission trips that opened his eyes and his heart to a world filled with suffering deep in the jungle of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There he came across the Mbuti Pygmy tribe, a group of people persecuted by neighboring tribes and forced into slavery. His encounter with the Pygmy tribe left him wondering who was there to help them and in that moment Justin stepped out of the ring and into a fight for the forgotten.
From cage fighter to freedom fighter, Justin's story is a deeply personal memoir with a bigger message about a quest, justice, and the amazing things that can happen when we relinquish our lives to God.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 19, 2015
In this inspiring, true story, Justin Wren recounts his troubling journey from a struggling youth to a prosperous missionary. After years of being bullied (you know, like the kind of high school bullying you see in the movies but assume is over dramatized?), he became one of the greatest wrestlers and mixed martial artists of our day.
Being burnt by hypocritical religion and people, he had no desire to seek God for his peace. In an amazing turn of events, he becomes madly in love with Jesus. After having a vision of a poor and enslaved people group, God led him to the Mbuti Pygmy tribe. It was there that he saw his life's calling.
An absolutely beautiful book. Spiritually deep, raw and touching. I love what Justin is doing to help these people and he inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our prosperous country. I highly recommend!
Thank you, Howard Books, for a chance to read this title! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!
Being burnt by hypocritical religion and people, he had no desire to seek God for his peace. In an amazing turn of events, he becomes madly in love with Jesus. After having a vision of a poor and enslaved people group, God led him to the Mbuti Pygmy tribe. It was there that he saw his life's calling.
An absolutely beautiful book. Spiritually deep, raw and touching. I love what Justin is doing to help these people and he inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our prosperous country. I highly recommend!
Thank you, Howard Books, for a chance to read this title! As always, this is my honest opinion. Here's to many more!!
August 3, 2017
Fight for the Forgotten is an interesting book in the beginning. The author went to my high school and talks about it in the book. Besides that, I felt like the author was just trying to convert people to Christianity and would constantly talk about God and the Bible, which I disliked because I'm not Christian. The book just felt like a sermon to me, so don't buy this book if you aren't a very devout Christian.
September 20, 2015
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads.
Frankly, I was not able to get through chapter 4. It is poorly written.
The intent of his mission is admirable. For that alone I will give him credit.
Frankly, I was not able to get through chapter 4. It is poorly written.
The intent of his mission is admirable. For that alone I will give him credit.
January 15, 2023
In high school, Justin joined the wrestling team and found he was quite good. The success he experienced on the school team and then later in his success with Mixed Martial Arts led to his involvement with drugs and alcohol. A bad experience at a Christian camp as a teen turned him off. But it was at his lowest after being kicked off an MMA team because of his drug use and not being accepted into a rehab program that led to his attending a spiritual retreat where he gave his life to the Lord. It was at that retreat that he had a vision of a group of people that gripped his heart. He learned later it was the Pygmies of the DRC. Justin found his life calling in fighting for the Pygmies. He’s made multiple trips working with a team building wells to enable them to have clean drinking water.
A number of years ago, I was working on a project to list books set in each of the African countries. I came across this one and put it on my list. Recently I was looking for something to read and saw this was available at the library. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is enough of the back story for the reader to get a real sense of the change when he gave his life to the Lord. Although prayer and scripture verses are scattered through the remainder, it's not oozing. I applaud him for following what he sensed the Lord was calling him to and spending time in the jungle of DRC among a forgotten and despised people group.
A number of years ago, I was working on a project to list books set in each of the African countries. I came across this one and put it on my list. Recently I was looking for something to read and saw this was available at the library. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is enough of the back story for the reader to get a real sense of the change when he gave his life to the Lord. Although prayer and scripture verses are scattered through the remainder, it's not oozing. I applaud him for following what he sensed the Lord was calling him to and spending time in the jungle of DRC among a forgotten and despised people group.
November 18, 2019
I wanted to like this book very much. But I wasn't very successful in that. I follow Big Pigmy and Fight for the Forgotten activities for quite some time and what these people are doing to humanity is amazing. Drilling wells, providing the help to poor in Africa and also fighting for those and supporting weaker ones in USA as well (as it happened with the latest #StandForRayden campaign. Look it up).
However, I've had a really difficult time going through this book. It is more like a blogpost of somebody or collection of blogposts. The language is very simple and quite poor and there is really nothing in the content that would catch attention. Fighter's career is covered in the first 1/3 of the book, all ups, downs, and then Justin found God and it's very nice when somebody finds God, and then he went to Congo, drilled some wells, and then had a wedding with the woman who was the love of his life. This is 280 pages. It is all sweet, nice and I am very happy about that and that there are such people like Justin, but he (or Loretta Hunt who is the co-author) are not a good writers and that's it. Glad that a few euros of this purchase made to Fight for the Forgotten charity and this is why this book is worth buying. One can skip the reading part.
However, I've had a really difficult time going through this book. It is more like a blogpost of somebody or collection of blogposts. The language is very simple and quite poor and there is really nothing in the content that would catch attention. Fighter's career is covered in the first 1/3 of the book, all ups, downs, and then Justin found God and it's very nice when somebody finds God, and then he went to Congo, drilled some wells, and then had a wedding with the woman who was the love of his life. This is 280 pages. It is all sweet, nice and I am very happy about that and that there are such people like Justin, but he (or Loretta Hunt who is the co-author) are not a good writers and that's it. Glad that a few euros of this purchase made to Fight for the Forgotten charity and this is why this book is worth buying. One can skip the reading part.
August 14, 2020
Inspiring tale of recovery and redemption as a pro MMA fighter wrestles free from the cage of addiction by finding love and renewed purpose in the rainforests of the Congo. Largely through the grace and peace he discovers in new religious faith, Wren realizes the pitfalls of chasing fame and fortune through fighting with his hands. He gains a new lease on life when he steps into the mission of helping the Mbuti Pygmies gain sovereignty from slavery and regain autonomy over their traditional way of life and their vitality. Wren and his team do so by digging clean water wells for Mbutii villages and helping the people gain ownership of land. Wren also gets to pay it forward by helping his chosen favorites to get first-class medical care and other special treatment. I truly appreciate how Wren brings awareness to the plight of the Pygmies and introduces readers to their culture; however, I couldn't help wishing he'd spent more time letting them have the central focus of this story, while sparing us from the more aggressive proselytizing to his 'authentic and cool' brand of Christianity.
May 1, 2019
The book is an autobiography about Justin Wrenn's adventure of coming to know the Lord. When Justin was a kid, he had a hard life. As he began to grow older, he pursued his dream of being a professional fighter. As he slowly became more popular, he started falling deep into depression, addiction, alcohol abuse, etc. Then, he finally met the lord and started wanting to fight for others instead of himself. He went on many journeys for the Lord. Then, he found the Congo.
This book is one of the best books that I have ever read. I went into this book thinking that it would be good and now I'm thinking that it was amazing. He fought through so many struggles to help others live a better life. It truly inspired me to try harder to make others happy instead of doing what sounds good for me. I encourage all who can to read it. It will give you the urge to go save some lives. God would do anything to help us live better lives. Imagine the feeling of being able to help just one person live a better life. God is so good.
This book is one of the best books that I have ever read. I went into this book thinking that it would be good and now I'm thinking that it was amazing. He fought through so many struggles to help others live a better life. It truly inspired me to try harder to make others happy instead of doing what sounds good for me. I encourage all who can to read it. It will give you the urge to go save some lives. God would do anything to help us live better lives. Imagine the feeling of being able to help just one person live a better life. God is so good.
November 17, 2016
The author was an MMA fighter, but his personal demons were his greatest foe. He came to Christ and found victory over addiction and was given a passion for the Pygmie people in the Congo. This book is mostly about his year spent there digging wells for these people who are literally slaves in their own country.
It is always encouraging to read the accounts of all the good that is being done around the world, especially since it is far too easy to become extremely self-centered in our present society.
It is always encouraging to read the accounts of all the good that is being done around the world, especially since it is far too easy to become extremely self-centered in our present society.
July 10, 2017
This is a good account of how Justin Wren became involved with the Pygmies in Africa. He is not a literary guy, he is a mixed martial artist and in that way, he told an interesting and inspiring story.
January 3, 2018
A must read
I could not put this book down! His descriptions made me feel like I was in the jungles of Africa with him. Such a great story of what God can do with one man with a dream to help. This is a story of redemption, recovery, forgiveness and impacting the world!
I could not put this book down! His descriptions made me feel like I was in the jungles of Africa with him. Such a great story of what God can do with one man with a dream to help. This is a story of redemption, recovery, forgiveness and impacting the world!
January 22, 2018
I loved this book! It is incredibly inspiring. Justin is very authentic and transparent- you feel as though you are close friends by the end of the book. You get to see how he went from fighting for himself to fighting for others!
June 6, 2021
Quaint story poorly written. I’ve probably read too many books about humanitarian work and missionaries to enjoy this book. It was too naive and simplistic. It reads more like a young man’s diary. The American Saves the Day trope ran through. I think I rolled my eyes 100 times.
January 6, 2023
This is a wonderful book about a strong man who gives his life to God and lives With the pygmies, helping drill wells so that they can have pure water. 1/2 of their children die before age 5 because of dirly water. Very inspiring.
August 7, 2017
Amazing.
December 6, 2018
One of the best books I ever red Justin is an angle among men what a soul this man has god bless him. This book is a must read.
December 5, 2020
Heartwarming and loved the message. There were parts that were dull or certainly not page turners. Overall, good book!
August 1, 2021
Justin's story is an inspiring eye opening account of another world where the most important things are survival. Really puts my first world problems into perspective
May 26, 2024
I’m all in on mission stories. I’ve read several books from fellow travelers like myself and am always curious to read more. There were stories here that were worth the read.
February 18, 2021
4.5 I loved this book ; so inspirational. I totally did not expect to love it as much as I did. ; I had hoped to like it, but since I do not like wrestling or cage fighting, I was unsure about it. But it was very interesting and inspiring; I now have the utmost respect for Justin Wren.
April 8, 2016
I got the book for supporting Fight for the forgotten's Kickstarter campaign to fund a documentary film on the story.
The book is a difficult for me to rate:
The story is incredibly compelling and heart warming. Justin Wren is just an incredible amicable character. He is just one of this big scary guys with the most gentle heart possible.
The work he is doing for the neglected, discriminated and abused Pygmies of the Congo is absolutely awesome, so every Dollar donated to his cause is well spent.
However, what I struggle with is Justin's faith. He literally believes that he is on a mission, directly assigned by his god to go to the Congo. His religious believes are omnipresent through the whole book. There are passages of the book, that for me as a life-long religious skeptic, are painful to read. Why, if god is so powerful, does he let the Pygmies suffer at the first place? Why does he let you come down with Malaria and nearly die?
Everyone is entitled to his or her own believes and in Justin's case his newly found spiritual played a large part in his "raise from the ashes" and obviously the "new: Justin Wren does a lot of good. So no judgement here. But rating the book, rather than the story I can only give 3 stars.
The book is a difficult for me to rate:
The story is incredibly compelling and heart warming. Justin Wren is just an incredible amicable character. He is just one of this big scary guys with the most gentle heart possible.
The work he is doing for the neglected, discriminated and abused Pygmies of the Congo is absolutely awesome, so every Dollar donated to his cause is well spent.
However, what I struggle with is Justin's faith. He literally believes that he is on a mission, directly assigned by his god to go to the Congo. His religious believes are omnipresent through the whole book. There are passages of the book, that for me as a life-long religious skeptic, are painful to read. Why, if god is so powerful, does he let the Pygmies suffer at the first place? Why does he let you come down with Malaria and nearly die?
Everyone is entitled to his or her own believes and in Justin's case his newly found spiritual played a large part in his "raise from the ashes" and obviously the "new: Justin Wren does a lot of good. So no judgement here. But rating the book, rather than the story I can only give 3 stars.
June 24, 2016
This book was great. I read it very quickly. The weird thing that happened, for me, was that it would take me a little bit to think on what I had just read. I think the author is someone who has some issues with truth telling. Ok so the story is, that he got a message from god about going to the Congo, and also about the Pygmy people. He's a local, Denver, type person, mixed up with some crazy church people, who train him for this kind of life, by taking him out in the woods setting up all these obstacles, crazy training camp. But he's just this big lovable guy who takes it all in a stride. He is fun to listen to, to say he has a great outlook is an understatement (he even finds a way to make almost dying of typhoid fever interesting and uplifting.) To take you through all of my moments of reflection on what he had written, and the actual undertones, whats written between the lines, of like, wait, did he really just say that? Would take too much time right here. He does amazing things in the Congo, people. They need fresh water. The whole thing is over the top amazing.
June 14, 2016
I was first introduced to Justin Wren through the Joe Rogan Podcast. The podcast left me with the impression that Justin was a MMA fighter and was dedicating his life to an enslaved group of people in Africa known as the pygmies. His book opened my eyes to the struggles that he faced as a child who was bullied, as a MMA fighter and his addiction to drugs, and as a white man attempting to improve the lives of pygmies in the Congo. It also introduced me to how his motivation to help the pygmies was inspired by God and the Christian faith. As a person who is not the slightest-bit religious, I really appreciated Justin's concept of God and religion. My interpretation of Justin's view is that religion should be an act of giving love to the world and all the life that inhabits it, rather than a list of rules that must be followed.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. I thought the narrator did an excellent job. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. I thought the narrator did an excellent job. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired.
May 1, 2020
A fantastic, engaging read. See the current situation in the Congo and what he’s doing to help. Very optimistic and ends on a fairly positive note. Which is refreshing for this topic area.
October 18, 2015
This is a interesting book and shows how you can change your life and go on to help others. Justin had to struggle with his life and getting this project completed. The story is about how he found his way and the courage to get this project started and help these pigmy tribes.
Good Work Justin and keep up the battle!
Good Work Justin and keep up the battle!
October 18, 2015
Truly inspiring
It was a very well done book. Very informative. Easy to read. Amazing dedication to a higher calling no matter what the circumstances. Definitely a saint among men.
It was a very well done book. Very informative. Easy to read. Amazing dedication to a higher calling no matter what the circumstances. Definitely a saint among men.
June 23, 2016
Living proof that the God of the universe invites us to be a part of what He is doing on earth... if we are willing to surrender our agenda to His.
December 27, 2016
I was very inspired reading this book. I can't believe all off the setbacks that Justin went through to be able to help the Pygmy people. I can't wait to see what else he is able to do.
September 3, 2015
I enjoyed this book a lot.
December 31, 2015
Easy to read and very inspiring book about Faith and renewal. Kudos sir!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews