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Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places
"Perhaps that’s the greatest reason why He calls us to dangerous so that we will know His astonishing, sacrificial, life-restoring love.” Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places is about what is lost and what is gained when we follow God at any cost. Soon after 9/11, Kate McCord left the corporate world and followed God to Afghanistan—sometimes into the reach of death. Alive but not unscathed, she has suffered the loss of many comfort, safety, even dear friends and fellow sojourners. But Kate realizes that those who go are not the only ones who suffer. Those who love those who go also suffer. This book is for them, too. Weaving together Scripture, her story, and stories of both those who go and those who send, Kate considers why God calls us to dangerous places and what it means for all involved. It means dependence. It means loss. It means a firmer hold on hope. It can mean death, trauma, and heavy sorrow. But it can also mean joy unimaginable. Through suffering, we come closer to the heart of God. Written with the weight of glory in the shadow of loss, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will inspire Christians to count the cost—and pay it.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2015
49 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Kate McCord
11 books45 followersI lived and worked in Afghanistan for years. And yes, I wrote about that. Sometimes I publish collections of short stories. I love writing and recording them. I do a fair bit of live storytelling, too. That's pure fun!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 23, 2021
Wow. This book. Although the concepts may seem simple, this book impacted me in a deep way.
Highly recommend for anyone who is serving or has loved ones on the mission field.
Highly recommend for anyone who is serving or has loved ones on the mission field.
November 20, 2015
At the conclusion of my junior year in college, I studied abroad in Moscow, Russia. Despite the fact that at the time, Russia was safe, to my parents – who came of age during the Cold War – Russia was a very scary place. The idea of their daughter going there terrified them.
A decade later, as a youth pastor in a local church, I offered an international mission trip to Rwanda to my high school teens. As part of my vetting process, I talked to my colleague – who had a daughter who'd just graduated high school – in order to better gauge how parents would react to this trip. The second I said “I think we're going to Rwanda”, her mouth fell open. For her and many others, Rwanda was known for one thing: Genocide. Given this, she explained that more than any other thing, if I was going to convince parents to let their teens go on this trip with me, I'd have to convince them that it would be safe.
Because of these experiences, I was intrigued by Kate McCord's book, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places. In this book, Kate chronicles her experience of being called to war-torn Afghanistan and the very real danger she (and others) faced there. She also shares the experiences of others who are called to dangerous places in their own words.
In addition to sharing the experiences of those called to dangerous places, Kate also explores a theology of missions and in particular, her own question: Why does God call people to dangerous places? In a nutshell, she concludes that he does so because “sending is the heart of God, who sent his own Son into the world.” In Jesus, “He himself came to a dangerous place.” What's more, “He loves the perpetrators of violence and the victims of violence. He loves the children and the old, the men and the women, the rich and the poor.”
While Kate's book will certainly appeal to those called to dangerous places, it will also appeal to all those wrestling with what it means to follow God's call on their life, a theme that Kate explores in-depth throughout Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places.
More specifically, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will also appeal to the families of those called to dangerous places as well as to those who support them. In addition to giving such people insight into what their loved one will experience, Kate emphasizes the role families have in the sending process. She readily admits that “When Jesus called James and John, He called their parents too.” She also acknowledges, “Both we who go and those who love those who go, face the deep evil in the world and turn to God with all our human fragility.” Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places would make a fabulous resource for families who have someone leaving for the mission field to read together before that person departs. Doing so would help entire families better understand what the other side – either the one going or the one staying - is experiencing.
For those who have served in dangerous places, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will affirm and remind them of their call; For those who have never ventured further than their own city, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will remind and challenge them how to support those who are sent. Either way, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places is a worthwhile read that will draw you into Scripture and a closer look at God's heart for those who live in dangerous places – whether those dangerous places are next door or half-way around the world.
A decade later, as a youth pastor in a local church, I offered an international mission trip to Rwanda to my high school teens. As part of my vetting process, I talked to my colleague – who had a daughter who'd just graduated high school – in order to better gauge how parents would react to this trip. The second I said “I think we're going to Rwanda”, her mouth fell open. For her and many others, Rwanda was known for one thing: Genocide. Given this, she explained that more than any other thing, if I was going to convince parents to let their teens go on this trip with me, I'd have to convince them that it would be safe.
Because of these experiences, I was intrigued by Kate McCord's book, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places. In this book, Kate chronicles her experience of being called to war-torn Afghanistan and the very real danger she (and others) faced there. She also shares the experiences of others who are called to dangerous places in their own words.
In addition to sharing the experiences of those called to dangerous places, Kate also explores a theology of missions and in particular, her own question: Why does God call people to dangerous places? In a nutshell, she concludes that he does so because “sending is the heart of God, who sent his own Son into the world.” In Jesus, “He himself came to a dangerous place.” What's more, “He loves the perpetrators of violence and the victims of violence. He loves the children and the old, the men and the women, the rich and the poor.”
While Kate's book will certainly appeal to those called to dangerous places, it will also appeal to all those wrestling with what it means to follow God's call on their life, a theme that Kate explores in-depth throughout Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places.
More specifically, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will also appeal to the families of those called to dangerous places as well as to those who support them. In addition to giving such people insight into what their loved one will experience, Kate emphasizes the role families have in the sending process. She readily admits that “When Jesus called James and John, He called their parents too.” She also acknowledges, “Both we who go and those who love those who go, face the deep evil in the world and turn to God with all our human fragility.” Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places would make a fabulous resource for families who have someone leaving for the mission field to read together before that person departs. Doing so would help entire families better understand what the other side – either the one going or the one staying - is experiencing.
For those who have served in dangerous places, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will affirm and remind them of their call; For those who have never ventured further than their own city, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will remind and challenge them how to support those who are sent. Either way, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places is a worthwhile read that will draw you into Scripture and a closer look at God's heart for those who live in dangerous places – whether those dangerous places are next door or half-way around the world.
January 22, 2025
I reread this book. She remains to be one my favorite authors.
April 5, 2023
Unbelievably powerful. This book brought tears to my eyes and instilled in me an intense longing for such a beautiful trust in Jesus that I’d follow Him to the ends of the earth, wherever He calls me.
An honest perspective on the dark realities and also beautiful triumphs of the mission field.
An honest perspective on the dark realities and also beautiful triumphs of the mission field.
March 15, 2023
Wow! This book was so nice. I am reminded of the many workers who are sacrificing their comfort for the sake of the Gospel. The stories and encounters in this book gave me a glimpse of what counting the cost looks like. Definitely such an encouraging but also deeply convicting book! 10/10 recommend
October 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and especially the chapter that talked about the friends and families that don’t go overseas, but support from back home and how crucial that support is. It was definitely a hard read at times, but it was all worth it!
This is definitely a book for more mature readers, though!
Things to be aware of in “Why God Calls us to Dangerous Places”
Violence:
- Many stories of violence amidst a war.
- Many, many mentions of death.
- A lot of discussion on kidnapping.
- A character’s entire body gets burned with oil
Romantic Content:
- Many mentions of rape and sexual abuse.
This is definitely a book for more mature readers, though!
Things to be aware of in “Why God Calls us to Dangerous Places”
Violence:
- Many stories of violence amidst a war.
- Many, many mentions of death.
- A lot of discussion on kidnapping.
- A character’s entire body gets burned with oil
Romantic Content:
- Many mentions of rape and sexual abuse.
July 31, 2024
The joy it is to be with Christ and to attempt hard things for Christ and His glory!!
From the book -
Sending people to the world is hard. Sending them to dangerous places is even harder.
Why should we do it then?
A Ghanaian Christian leader articulated a truth that shook me to the core: “When the church stops sending her children to the world, she begins to die.” Sending is the heart of God, who sent His own Son into the world.
From the book -
Sending people to the world is hard. Sending them to dangerous places is even harder.
Why should we do it then?
A Ghanaian Christian leader articulated a truth that shook me to the core: “When the church stops sending her children to the world, she begins to die.” Sending is the heart of God, who sent His own Son into the world.
May 2, 2023
Wow. I sped through this book and every chapter humbled and encouraged me. Whether you or anyone you love ever goes somewhere dangerous or not, I think this book will encourage your faith!
Read
May 24, 2024Great book about letting God take control of your life. I struggle with FOMO a lotttt so I will have to revisit this!
August 21, 2025
Super powerful book. A good reminder of how Jesus always comes with us wherever we go.
December 4, 2020
If you have ever wondered what it is like to be a missionary or why people would answer the call of God to go live in a hostile environment, then read Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places. Author Kate McCord was a “business process consultant in global biopharmaceuticals.” She had a comfortable life and enjoyed her material blessings, friends, and church. In 2000, God started a process in her heart that led her four years later to Afghanistan to work for an NGO (nongovernmental organization). She became a project manager working to improve the lives of the people around her and share Jesus with her neighbors. She learned the language and the culture and relied on God through the Holy Spirit to help her negotiate the minefields of talking about Jesus in such a way that it would not result in her expulsion or execution.
Chapter by chapter McCord helps us dive deeper and deeper into an understanding of God’s calling and how it affects the person feeling the pull to devote themselves and their talents solely to the work of God. She describes how these decisions also affect their friends, families, and churches. McCord explores the kinds of people who are called, the places where they minister, and the difficulties and stress of living in a different culture under uncomfortable living conditions along with spoken and implied threats of violence. She relates all of this through descriptions of her own experiences and testimonies of others living in various countries. She backs up her discussion with stories from the Bible and with Scriptural references to support her theological underpinnings.
It is one thing to write about the missionary life; it is another to live it. McCord has done both and is able to share the calling and journey in a way that draws the reader into her story. I recommend this book for Christians who want to explore the call of Jesus on them personally or those they care about. I also recommend it for non-Christians seeking to understand what it is about this Jesus that makes people want to follow Him through the good times and the bad, enjoying an abundant life on earth with the assurance of an eternal life with Him in heaven.
Chapter by chapter McCord helps us dive deeper and deeper into an understanding of God’s calling and how it affects the person feeling the pull to devote themselves and their talents solely to the work of God. She describes how these decisions also affect their friends, families, and churches. McCord explores the kinds of people who are called, the places where they minister, and the difficulties and stress of living in a different culture under uncomfortable living conditions along with spoken and implied threats of violence. She relates all of this through descriptions of her own experiences and testimonies of others living in various countries. She backs up her discussion with stories from the Bible and with Scriptural references to support her theological underpinnings.
It is one thing to write about the missionary life; it is another to live it. McCord has done both and is able to share the calling and journey in a way that draws the reader into her story. I recommend this book for Christians who want to explore the call of Jesus on them personally or those they care about. I also recommend it for non-Christians seeking to understand what it is about this Jesus that makes people want to follow Him through the good times and the bad, enjoying an abundant life on earth with the assurance of an eternal life with Him in heaven.
June 24, 2018
Frank, passionate and profound book about how it is to leave everything and follow God's call to serve Him at the dangerous places.
Kate McCord did this in Afghanistan. And the experience was nothing she had thought it would be - and was much, much more. Because to be at the dangerous place means to have your heart broken repeatedly by the ever-present violence (and you might very well known the one who suffer by this violence, they might be your friends and colleagues), fear and rejection by those whom you wish to serve and offer God's words and salvation. But it also means to have your heart cleaned, refreshed and transformed by the raw power of God's presence, care and love.
I have never served in the dangerous places, but I have served in different service - and while my safety was never threatened, I can attest that the pain of service to others is real. But also the deepening is real! God gives so much to those who serve Him (even if the service IS tiring and overwhelming so often).
This book is raw, too, as the authoress is not holding back in her sharing. You will find no sugar-coating here, no false promises - instead you can find the presence of God in Kate's life. Her heart was broken, too - but God holds it.
I was deeply touched by the "personalness" of this testimony. And also my comfort was disturbed, which is a good thing.
Recommended read.
Kate McCord did this in Afghanistan. And the experience was nothing she had thought it would be - and was much, much more. Because to be at the dangerous place means to have your heart broken repeatedly by the ever-present violence (and you might very well known the one who suffer by this violence, they might be your friends and colleagues), fear and rejection by those whom you wish to serve and offer God's words and salvation. But it also means to have your heart cleaned, refreshed and transformed by the raw power of God's presence, care and love.
I have never served in the dangerous places, but I have served in different service - and while my safety was never threatened, I can attest that the pain of service to others is real. But also the deepening is real! God gives so much to those who serve Him (even if the service IS tiring and overwhelming so often).
This book is raw, too, as the authoress is not holding back in her sharing. You will find no sugar-coating here, no false promises - instead you can find the presence of God in Kate's life. Her heart was broken, too - but God holds it.
I was deeply touched by the "personalness" of this testimony. And also my comfort was disturbed, which is a good thing.
Recommended read.
April 13, 2019
What a tremendous blessing God has given in this book! As I prepared to walk with God in a dangerous place, this book was highly recommended to me, and so I read it. Little by little, slowly digesting the good truth and the hard realities I read. Kate speaks from experience, knowing the joys and trials of walking with God in a dangerous place. She weaves stories together with truth from God’s Word and truths applied that God has taught her as she walks with Him.
I’ll be recommending this book to so many others who feel God leading them to dangerous places. And I’ll be reading and rereading it and all the quotes I copied down for years to come.
“God is orchestrating His work through His people and through His Spirit. The work belongs to Him, and He alone will receive the glory. Our call is to love Jesus and our neighbors well.” (p. 177)
“In Christ, we open our hands to the world and share the love, mercy, truth, and grace that we ourselves are receiving from the God who loves us with an everlasting love.“ (p. 192)
I’ll be recommending this book to so many others who feel God leading them to dangerous places. And I’ll be reading and rereading it and all the quotes I copied down for years to come.
“God is orchestrating His work through His people and through His Spirit. The work belongs to Him, and He alone will receive the glory. Our call is to love Jesus and our neighbors well.” (p. 177)
“In Christ, we open our hands to the world and share the love, mercy, truth, and grace that we ourselves are receiving from the God who loves us with an everlasting love.“ (p. 192)
November 28, 2020
Why does God call us to dangerous places? Because he loves people who lives in dangerous places and he wants them to know the good news of his death and resurrection! He uses people to share that good news and sometimes that means going into dangerous places.
Kate McCord's book is not a difficult read, but there is much to think about and mull over. One should never go into dangerous places with an "I'm the hero" attitude. Instead, they should go in admitting their fear but trusting God and realizing that even if the worst case scenario happens, God knows and is with them.
God never promised that the Christian life would be easy and for many around the world it means persecution. Perhaps God has called us to walk with our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Kate is also honest about the emotional toll working in hard places can have on us.
This is a must read for all of us working in difficult places. Yes, I realize that compared to some places I have it pretty easy; but security is a concern here and this book was a good reminder of why we come and why we stay.
Kate McCord's book is not a difficult read, but there is much to think about and mull over. One should never go into dangerous places with an "I'm the hero" attitude. Instead, they should go in admitting their fear but trusting God and realizing that even if the worst case scenario happens, God knows and is with them.
God never promised that the Christian life would be easy and for many around the world it means persecution. Perhaps God has called us to walk with our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Kate is also honest about the emotional toll working in hard places can have on us.
This is a must read for all of us working in difficult places. Yes, I realize that compared to some places I have it pretty easy; but security is a concern here and this book was a good reminder of why we come and why we stay.
February 22, 2020
I found this book very compelling. It should be a must read of everyone who takes serious their call to Christianity. Author, Kate McCord, weaves testimony of many people of faith throughout her own personal journey of leaving the comfortable corporate life in America to live in war torn Afghanistan. She candidly shares about learning to love the people of Afghan and beyond.
My favorite quote:
"'His Spirit calls us to go and love and speak of His reconciliation, hope, forgiveness and His abiding with us--in war zones, malls, or the quietness of our own hearts.' We go trusting that God will use us in profound, sometimes visible, but often invisible ways. We enter the traumas of our neighbors, their darkness, and shine the light of the God we know. Along the way, our lives are filled with unexpected blessings and our faith is deepened."
My favorite quote:
"'His Spirit calls us to go and love and speak of His reconciliation, hope, forgiveness and His abiding with us--in war zones, malls, or the quietness of our own hearts.' We go trusting that God will use us in profound, sometimes visible, but often invisible ways. We enter the traumas of our neighbors, their darkness, and shine the light of the God we know. Along the way, our lives are filled with unexpected blessings and our faith is deepened."
September 16, 2020
Inspiring, courageous, and relatable, this book comes across sort of like someone’s personal journal. It includes various short narratives from the author’s time ministering in Afghanistan, scattered quoted paragraphs from anonymous contributors, and musings about God and how he calls us all to do His will.
Faith comes through strongly here. The author tactfully acknowledges that faith doesn’t often develop easily or without heartache and difficulty.
This book might very well cause you to be more willing to “go to dangerous places”, but I was blessed that the author concluded with asking us all to evaluate where and how God is calling us.
Our various gifts and God’s timing mean that following God’s will will look different for all of us. The question we can all do well to ask is “Am I being fully honest with God when I say I want to do His will?”.
Faith comes through strongly here. The author tactfully acknowledges that faith doesn’t often develop easily or without heartache and difficulty.
This book might very well cause you to be more willing to “go to dangerous places”, but I was blessed that the author concluded with asking us all to evaluate where and how God is calling us.
Our various gifts and God’s timing mean that following God’s will will look different for all of us. The question we can all do well to ask is “Am I being fully honest with God when I say I want to do His will?”.
May 16, 2021
I was drawn to this book when I saw the title, and it has been a blessing to read, meeting a need at just the right moment.
McCord speaks on this topic from experience, having lived and served in Afghanistan, which explains the title. She weaves stories, not just her own but from others who can speak into the subject, which makes the book engaging and easy to read. Throughout, she sprinkles the answers to the initial question, leading with the phrase, "God calls us to dangerous places..." I found myself underlining those as I read, so I could easily go back and say, "yes, that's so true."
A recommended read for those who are hearing a call to the hard places as well as for those who love them and are sending them. We all need to remember why God asks hard things of his people.
McCord speaks on this topic from experience, having lived and served in Afghanistan, which explains the title. She weaves stories, not just her own but from others who can speak into the subject, which makes the book engaging and easy to read. Throughout, she sprinkles the answers to the initial question, leading with the phrase, "God calls us to dangerous places..." I found myself underlining those as I read, so I could easily go back and say, "yes, that's so true."
A recommended read for those who are hearing a call to the hard places as well as for those who love them and are sending them. We all need to remember why God asks hard things of his people.
March 11, 2019
Answers to hard questions
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It reveals joy in the darkness of life. Having taught refugees from these hard places the descriptions of daily life there, and the dangers that go with it added insights that helped to understand their struggles with life in the first world
I recommend this book to those supporting people in these hard places, to those who have questions about the hard things that happen in life. It’s a revelation that the love of God can still be found in the darkest of days.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It reveals joy in the darkness of life. Having taught refugees from these hard places the descriptions of daily life there, and the dangers that go with it added insights that helped to understand their struggles with life in the first world
I recommend this book to those supporting people in these hard places, to those who have questions about the hard things that happen in life. It’s a revelation that the love of God can still be found in the darkest of days.
July 6, 2023
Why does God really call us to dangerous places? I thought I knew the answer until I read this book. This book deeply challenged and changed my own heart towards missions and dangerous places. I was moved by Kate's beautiful story while intertwining scripture. I laughed. I cried. I even preached a sermon using the stories from this book. Now I'm contemplating how God with use this book in my journey. Perhaps there's nothing more dangerous than to read this book and expect to be the same afterwards. Highly recommend.
October 23, 2024
5⭐️s!
This book is a MUST read. It affected and moved me a lot more than what the average book about the God does. so many impactful stories and quotes. here are my two favs:
“Every joyful celebration we've ever experienced in this life is like a black-and-white sketch that helps us dream the magnificence of what lies ahead.”
“They do the good works God has prepared for them to do and in so doing, they each show a fragment of the nature of God who revealed Himself most fully in Christ Jesus.”
This book is a MUST read. It affected and moved me a lot more than what the average book about the God does. so many impactful stories and quotes. here are my two favs:
“Every joyful celebration we've ever experienced in this life is like a black-and-white sketch that helps us dream the magnificence of what lies ahead.”
“They do the good works God has prepared for them to do and in so doing, they each show a fragment of the nature of God who revealed Himself most fully in Christ Jesus.”
June 19, 2025
"And this is the thing I must remember, always; the world is full of frightened and frightening men and women whom God loves with a love so rich and so deep that no matter what they do, He still wants to bring them home."
This book is a treasure. The author is so very honest, and so very faithful. The way she wonders with you, even amid sickening pain and injustices, about the love of a God who knits together every human being and places his image upon them--upon the oppressed, upon the oppressor... it gives you a lot to think about, and she writes it beautifully.
This book is a treasure. The author is so very honest, and so very faithful. The way she wonders with you, even amid sickening pain and injustices, about the love of a God who knits together every human being and places his image upon them--upon the oppressed, upon the oppressor... it gives you a lot to think about, and she writes it beautifully.
September 26, 2020
This book was a powerful meditation on the cost, the risk, and the worth of following Jesus. Hard questions are asked, deep truths are reflected on, and Christ is magnified through every chapter. I admire the gentle boldness with which this book is written, and an awesome afresh by the beauty of the Savior. If you want to take time to process afresh what it looks like to “count the cost” of following Jesus, this would be a great resource in that journey.
January 11, 2019
This is a great book! The stories of the authors conversations with Afghan people are priceless, and her conclusions regarding sacrifice for the cause of Christ are spot-on. This book moves quickly, and is worthy of pondering. The chapter on raising missionary support, and how folks "back home" are vital to a missionary's work, is excellent. One of the best books I've read in the past year.
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January 28, 2020The Lord has called me out of the ministry I was at to another township to begin the work He has called me to do. I had fears for that place because of its crime rate, people kill each other like animals for no reason at all. I am encouraged about this powerful words, it has opened my eyes and has led me to trust God dipper. Thanks to Kate McCORD . God bless you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2017
"We go, trusting God will use us in profound, sometimes visible, but often invisible ways."
"Our part is to love well, walk in integrity, serve wholeheartedly, and trust God, especially for what we cannot see."
Great book and well written!
"Our part is to love well, walk in integrity, serve wholeheartedly, and trust God, especially for what we cannot see."
Great book and well written!
August 20, 2017
Rarely this challenged
I've read many books, but few have spoke as deeply to me as this has. I am challenged to pray fervently and stay in touch with friends and family who step out into dangerous places. And am also encouraged in my own unique walk with God.
I've read many books, but few have spoke as deeply to me as this has. I am challenged to pray fervently and stay in touch with friends and family who step out into dangerous places. And am also encouraged in my own unique walk with God.
May 18, 2020
Why do Christians go to dangerous places?
The author gave a lot of great reasons, but the one that keeps coming back to me is: Why does he send us into dangerous places? Because He loves the people living in those dangerous places. This book will stay with me.
The author gave a lot of great reasons, but the one that keeps coming back to me is: Why does he send us into dangerous places? Because He loves the people living in those dangerous places. This book will stay with me.
August 18, 2023
Ich weiß nicht so wirklich was ich hier in den Review reinschreiben soll. Ich werde wahrscheinlich noch oft genug auf die Lektionen und Weisheit von Kate zurückkommen und hoffentlich selber erleben und verinnerlichen.
October 10, 2023
Christ calls us to things we don’t think he would sometimes. But suffering and joy are sisters. Will we really believe our purpose in life is to know him and his love better? To spread his love? To lose our lives?
October 4, 2017
I loved this book. It painted a beautiful picture of the great commission and how going to hard places is about more than just those who go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews