Facing Danger: A Guide Through Risk

by Anna E. Hampton, Stuart Briscoe (Foreword)

Facing Danger guides cross-cultural workers through a biblical discussion on risk, providing a spiritual and practical framework for working through cross-cultural risk assessment and management. In this book, Anna E. Hampton After living for almost a decade in the high-risk and dangerous environment of Afghanistan, Facing Danger works through how Anna attempted to raise her children without emotional and long-term trauma while simultaneously living out her calling to partner in a divine endeavor in a hostile culture. This is the real world where a biblical understanding of risk must work.

Genres: Christian

312 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Claire Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so sad and surprised when I turned the page tonight to realize I’d reached the appendices! Sad, because this book is great (more on that below), surprised, because the book is long and wordy and I started expecting it to just keep going on forever. :) I agree with people who said it could use some editing to clean it up a little, but otherwise it was great in my opinion.

I don’t know if there’s someone I’d better want holding my hand guiding me through a theology of risk. Hampton so clearly knows what’s she’s talking about. She has been through so much and shares her experience and wisdom in a way with no bitterness or pride. She talks about Biblical texts from such a beautiful and different view than that of myself or my community. And she gives such a balanced view of things and plenty of examples, while also acknowledging that things aren’t going to be balanced and nice and no example she gives can be a cookie-cutter template for handling any of the risk situations we will be in. I really, really loved it. I have it dog-eared and ink-marked all over to look back over in the coming years.

I also must add, I love that I started reading this before moving to Romania as a missionary, happily thinking there was no real need to know all of this info right now, but “maybe one day.” When Putin attacked Ukraine just two weeks after I arrived in Romania, I realized that the one day was now! This book has already helped me in my first risk situation. I am thankful to have it for any future ones to come.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I hastily wrote this book review for a course I am doing.

Facing Danger: A Guide Through Risk was written by Anna Hampton, a veteran ministry worker with 15 years of experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Part 1 of the book is on the Biblical and spiritual background to approaching risk. Part 2 is on assessing and managing cross-cultural risk.

Hampton clearly differentiates between risk and suffering. All believers face suffering, whether they live in total peace or high-risk environments. All are called to pick up their cross and embrace suffering. However, not all believers are called to enter risk to the same degree. Some believers are called to enter more risk, and some are called to back away from risk. When someone answers a question on risk by saying that Christians are called to suffer, they are missing the distinction between suffering and risk.

As we face risk, it is important to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, we should be open-minded enough to see the many ways that the Spirit can speak to us. According to Hampton, the Holy Spirit can work through the following: security consultants (both Christian and non-Christian), the community around us, our families, the Bible, the Holy Spirit’s voice, those in authority over us, and dreams and visions.

Hampton spends some space discussing common myths regarding risk. One of these common myths is that we are safest in the center of God’s will. This is a myth because Jesus does not promise safety. God allows bad things to happen to His people. When we enter risky place, we risk something bad happening.

In conclusion, sometimes we should steward ourselves and our resources by leaving risk. This will equip us to better enter risk the next time when we are called. Other times, we should pour ourselves out as a sacrifice to God.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book for all missions and missionaries working in high risk contexts. The author explains a theology of risk, describes cross-cultural risk, speaks to common misunderstandings about risk, and details how to create a risk plan. I appreciated much she had to see, and felt gratified to see that or mission is doing most of what she recommends. However, I found the book to be overly long and in need of some editing as many sentences just weren't structured well. I found it quite boring in places and at times it was tough to keep going.

[Peter Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Hampton lived and worked for 15 years in Afghanistan and the Middle East and wrote this book to guide cross-cultural workers on cross-cultural risk assessment and management.

She skilfully weaves together biblical insights, personal experience, scholarly reflection and practical advice for those called to work in hostile situations.

Each chapter is well organised with a closing set of applications and a summary which make it easy to follow.

Hampton defines cross-cultural risk as ‘risk entered into for the sake of carrying the gospel cross-culturally with a high probability of experiencing great loss’. Her focus is on the risk taken by those who purposefully go to a high-risk situation in another culture due to a special calling received from the Lord.

Although written for a very specific readership, the book contains lessons relevant to all disciples facing risk or danger for Christ.

The chapter I found most interesting was that on ‘twelve common cross-cultural risk myths’.

These included ‘you are never safer than when you are at the centre of God’s will’, ‘the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church’, ‘just keep a positive mental attitude and everything will be OK’, ‘we've already counted the cost’ and ‘if something bad happens it's because I didn't pray, work and prepare enough’.

The book concludes with a systematic action plan on risk that integrates spirituality, faith, emotions, stewardship and practical danger assessment.

A fascinating read.

[Hernan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Facing Risk," Hampton sets out to develop a theology of risk in distinction to a theology of suffering before giving more practical advice on how to evaluate and mitigate risk on the mission field. But while she clearly perceived the theological lacuna, the result of her exegetical work left much to be desired. Part 1 of her book—where she builds her theology on very strenuous allusions, poor handling of the Greek, and allegorical readings—was very painful to read. I often felt like giving up.

However, I'm happy I pushed through. Part 2 was a bit better, while Part 3 offered a treasure-trove of practical tools that she had accumulated over her almost 30 years of experience in high-risk situations. Although I wished she could have discussed each of the tools in more details, it served as a satisfactory introduction to the elements one needs to think about in risk assessment.

[Wes F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looked forward to reading this book, as it is very relevant to the context of my life/work. Thought it was OK, not great. Had some good ideas & recommendations, but I felt it was lacking in some of its biblical exposition and application. I wanted more down-to-earth, nitty-gritty examples of various situations in a dangerous/risky place that included possible reasons why things happen/ed, what lessons were learned from it, what things could have been done differently or better, etc. And, a big beef--all the tables/illustrations in my Kindle edition would NOT format to the page and covered up several lines of writing. Bit frustrating--had never had that problem before.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half the book focuses on understanding risk through the Biblical lens and the other half is a practical guide to becoming risk literate, analyzing and managing risks, and leading in risk events. I personally love the prompt to develop and write my own conviction on risks as well as to think through the balancing of tensions between the leading of the Holy Spirit, wise stewardship, and God's invitation to risk.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredibly thoughtful and insightful book, especially part two. Some of this book was okay, but the practical side of it was really helpful. This person lived in a high risk context so some of it may seem extreme for the average person, but nevertheless, it gives people a lot to think about and practical application when it comes to risk. This book is especially helpful for cross-cultural workers.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some wonderful content in it. Very rich in practical ways to handle risk in cross-cultural settings. Some sections could have been shorter for what she was trying to say. Was hoping for more personal story examples of either her or her colleagues. I know that is also risk-filled with trying to keep people safe. I am glad I read it!

[Frankie Iii · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the author’s background and urge to not accept the commonly held Evangelical answers to problems, and she shared some good thoughts, but there were a lot of strange points, like basing her theology of risk on an ongoing war with Amalek and stopping short of making key and practical points.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the theology of risk for cross cultural workers. She places a high emphasis on wise practical risk assessment and mitigation while also acknowledging that “the frontiers of the kingdom of God never advanced by men & women of caution” and that “safety is not the ultimate guide in pursuing kingdom purposes”.

[Leezan Suli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully practical and helpful handbook on thinking through and facing risk. Anna does training on this but I could not attend because of location and time zone. I will be using the tools in here to help and grow myself and others.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome book! One of my best of the year for sure! This book taught me so much and built me up Spiritually drawing me closer to Christ. I have a clear view of risk and missions from this book. A lot of people could benefit from this book but every missionary should for sure read it!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for those living/serving in difficult areas of the world.

[Armaan Garg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too academic in nature.
A must read for sending organizations and churches and for team leaders.

[B Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Not great.