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Compelled by Love: How to Change the World Through the Simple Power of Love in Action
Compelled by Love, the true story of the ministry of Heidi and Rolland Baker in the war-torn, poverty and disease-stricken country of Mozambique, chronicles twenty-seven years of ministry among the poorest people on earth. The book is based upon the beatitudes as seen through the eyes of third-world pastors and missionaries. The Bakers have experienced God’s miraculous provision of food to thousands, brought physical healing and spiritual wholeness to His poorest children, and witnessed the transformed hearts of people caught in desperate life or death situations. Their stories prove the reality of God’s kingdom on earth, and demonstrate how to transform this world through the power of love.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2008
128 people are currently reading
1202 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Baker
142 books99 followersHeidi Baker PhD is a Christian missionary and with her husband Rolland Baker are founders of Iris Global and the author of several books.
With her husband Rolland, Heidi founded IRIS Ministries in 1980, a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to Jesus and service, especially among the poor. After twelve years ministering in Asia, they left in 1992 to do their PhD's at King's College London, UK. In 1995 they started a new ministry to the poor and homeless children in Mozambique.
Wikipedia
With her husband Rolland, Heidi founded IRIS Ministries in 1980, a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to Jesus and service, especially among the poor. After twelve years ministering in Asia, they left in 1992 to do their PhD's at King's College London, UK. In 1995 they started a new ministry to the poor and homeless children in Mozambique.
Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 11, 2022
Honestly this book challenged my complacency a lot. Great read, but also confronting in a good way.
September 23, 2025
I love that each chapter includes miracles they are seeing in Mozambique. It is amazing all that God is doing through this ministry.
August 3, 2011
Heidi's story and life totaly undoes me. New Testament Christianity lived out. Its a glimpse of how a life of fully sacrificed love can change a nation. Makes Western Christianty look totally bankrupt and impotent!
July 6, 2010
Well written, but includes much material from Heidi's earlier books. If you're tempted to buy several, don't. Just buy one, preferably one of the later ones.
January 18, 2014
Mama Aida (Heidi's Mozambiqan name) writes about God's heart for the poor in spirit (poor not from an economic stance, but rather, poor in one's "posture of the heart.. where one is wholly given fully yielded completely desperate and totally dependent on God alone"). She divides stories from her time in Mozambique according to the eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12. She also quotes Mother Teresa throughout her book.
She writes very simply (not a hard read at all), but still manages to profoundly challenge you to let God love you and to in turn, love others for Him. She calls us to love others not just with our words, but with our actions and in truth.
She also brings up interesting distinctions between the Church in the West and those in third world countries - how we in the West are so self-sufficient and well-off that we are just not as desperate for God, and would settle for crumbs underneath the table rather than the full feast He has laid out for us. However, I really like how she highlights pain as the common denominator between the financially rich and poor, but how the currency of love may differ slightly (e.g., "the currency of love in the West is not always money, but it is always time and compassion").
As I read on, I was so humbled by her humility, and the depth of her love for God and everyone around her. I was reminded again of how God's Kingdom is so different from the way this world works. "To love in the midst of pain, to forgive in the midst of evil, to comfort in the midst of agony, to bring peace in a time of war is the heart of God."
I only wish the book was longer. Would definitely recommend reading this book! :)
Here are some quotes I loved from her book:
"Some of you think Ministry is a grand adventure. Ministry, however, is simply loving the person in front of you, like Jesus would."
"The first part of your calling is intimacy with Him. If you are not in love with Jesus, I loudly cry, "Quit!" until you find His love so that you can carry it to others. Don't go out to share Him unless you are in love with Him. When you are in love with Jesus, then all you do will radiate Him. It is to the degree that you are in love that you radiate Him. If you are not in love enough, then you need more time with Him. My life is busy. But the busier I get, the more time I need with Jesus. When I minister, I must minister out of the fullness of my unity with Him. Our first pleasure is to be united with Jesus - to be one with Him."
"God has called us to this simplicity of love. I do not feel called to what many call greatness or success. That's why I love the Beatitudes so much. My only call is to love more."
She writes very simply (not a hard read at all), but still manages to profoundly challenge you to let God love you and to in turn, love others for Him. She calls us to love others not just with our words, but with our actions and in truth.
She also brings up interesting distinctions between the Church in the West and those in third world countries - how we in the West are so self-sufficient and well-off that we are just not as desperate for God, and would settle for crumbs underneath the table rather than the full feast He has laid out for us. However, I really like how she highlights pain as the common denominator between the financially rich and poor, but how the currency of love may differ slightly (e.g., "the currency of love in the West is not always money, but it is always time and compassion").
As I read on, I was so humbled by her humility, and the depth of her love for God and everyone around her. I was reminded again of how God's Kingdom is so different from the way this world works. "To love in the midst of pain, to forgive in the midst of evil, to comfort in the midst of agony, to bring peace in a time of war is the heart of God."
I only wish the book was longer. Would definitely recommend reading this book! :)
Here are some quotes I loved from her book:
"Some of you think Ministry is a grand adventure. Ministry, however, is simply loving the person in front of you, like Jesus would."
"The first part of your calling is intimacy with Him. If you are not in love with Jesus, I loudly cry, "Quit!" until you find His love so that you can carry it to others. Don't go out to share Him unless you are in love with Him. When you are in love with Jesus, then all you do will radiate Him. It is to the degree that you are in love that you radiate Him. If you are not in love enough, then you need more time with Him. My life is busy. But the busier I get, the more time I need with Jesus. When I minister, I must minister out of the fullness of my unity with Him. Our first pleasure is to be united with Jesus - to be one with Him."
"God has called us to this simplicity of love. I do not feel called to what many call greatness or success. That's why I love the Beatitudes so much. My only call is to love more."
May 30, 2012
Deeply moving story of Heidi Baker but even more so a call to us blessed with riches in life to live each day aware of God's love. Baker asks not they we all abandon the daily world and travel to exotic locales. Rather, she asks that we abandon ourselves and travel to God.
update (30 Mar 2012) I read a second time as part of a fellowship group but at a slower pace. It is difficult to push past the limitations of my own faith and to not be shamed by the work of Heidi Baker. Her story draws parallels with that of Blessed Mother Teresa whom she quotes extensively. Her life of sacrifice and love are an amazing testimony.
update (30 Mar 2012) I read a second time as part of a fellowship group but at a slower pace. It is difficult to push past the limitations of my own faith and to not be shamed by the work of Heidi Baker. Her story draws parallels with that of Blessed Mother Teresa whom she quotes extensively. Her life of sacrifice and love are an amazing testimony.
December 29, 2017
I loved this book for the many testimonies. It even contains some great nuggets to provoke the reader into examining their relationship with Christ. However, it is a poorly written book and took some determination to complete. At the same time, I have heard incredible testimonies that come out of Heidi Baker's ministry and have no doubt of her sincere love, truth and example. My negative comment is only on the written presentation of this great work of Jesus.
January 25, 2014
One of my top five favorite books. Easy.
Caused me, essentially, to re-examine my whole view of the Gospel, of Jesus, of obedience.
Caused me, essentially, to re-examine my whole view of the Gospel, of Jesus, of obedience.
February 19, 2014
An amazingly inspiring book. It stirred up passion in me to live a life laid-down
February 19, 2022
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I just studied the beatitudes with Bible Study Fellowship this year. I wanted to go deeper, and Ms. Baker certainly does that. I have never experienced God the way she describes, with visions and satisfaction, but I'm inspired to seek Him now "to find intimacy with God that I can carry to others." On page 147 she encapsulates the point: if we're not full of God, we have nothing to offer anyone else. We need to depend on Him to live the beatitudes.
Each beatitude is illustrated by quotes from Mother Teresa and Ms. Baker's stories and experiences as a missionary in Mozambique. In reading her story, I realized that God has offered the same experiences to me where I live, just with different people, situations and focus. I can pray for His presence to come; I can love difficult people when they accuse, slander and use me; and I can comfort those around me. I am not a missionary like her, but I am one.
The chapters on being poor in spirit, hungering for righteousness, and the orphan spirit spoke to me. In some ways, I am still a sleeping bride of Christ, unaware of how much I need God and need to live in dependence on Him. I need to quench my hunger in God, not TV, shopping or internet. I behave like an orphan instead of living like a child of God in His fullness.
The author says beatitudes create revival. If we refuse to stop loving others, they'll see the gospel in action. I believe her. If people had loved me when it was difficult, I would have believed in God's love sooner. God has shown me that the narcissists in my life (people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder) want to be loved. Their behavior makes love challenging, but not impossible through God. Loving a narcissist includes boundaries, saying no when they hate hearing that, and suffering abuse because of their emotional instability. But there are blessings during some battles like seeing how much God loves and provides and protects me. Small changes have been possible. As Mother Teresa said, God wants faithfulness, not results or success (pg. 121).
The Epilogue says the final question of life with God is: did I learn to love? The beatitudes are about love and love shared whether or not it's received or reciprocated. What a powerful message!
Each beatitude is illustrated by quotes from Mother Teresa and Ms. Baker's stories and experiences as a missionary in Mozambique. In reading her story, I realized that God has offered the same experiences to me where I live, just with different people, situations and focus. I can pray for His presence to come; I can love difficult people when they accuse, slander and use me; and I can comfort those around me. I am not a missionary like her, but I am one.
The chapters on being poor in spirit, hungering for righteousness, and the orphan spirit spoke to me. In some ways, I am still a sleeping bride of Christ, unaware of how much I need God and need to live in dependence on Him. I need to quench my hunger in God, not TV, shopping or internet. I behave like an orphan instead of living like a child of God in His fullness.
The author says beatitudes create revival. If we refuse to stop loving others, they'll see the gospel in action. I believe her. If people had loved me when it was difficult, I would have believed in God's love sooner. God has shown me that the narcissists in my life (people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder) want to be loved. Their behavior makes love challenging, but not impossible through God. Loving a narcissist includes boundaries, saying no when they hate hearing that, and suffering abuse because of their emotional instability. But there are blessings during some battles like seeing how much God loves and provides and protects me. Small changes have been possible. As Mother Teresa said, God wants faithfulness, not results or success (pg. 121).
The Epilogue says the final question of life with God is: did I learn to love? The beatitudes are about love and love shared whether or not it's received or reciprocated. What a powerful message!
December 6, 2020
An AWESOME read of God working in our present day. Reading Heidi's testimonies of the blind regaining their sight, food multiplied and Angels coming to the rescue, will forever stay with me, just as do the stories in the Bible. A book to truly inspire you to 'Go into all the world and make disciples' and to see God's supernatural provision for those who would have otherwise remained abandoned by the world.
December 25, 2022
Some books mostly encourage and some books mostly challenge and some books are just enjoyable to read. This is all of the above. It’s based on the Beatitudes but has many stories from Heidi’s time in ministry and the people she’s encountered. It has stories that make you cry but others that make you laugh. Loved it. Highly recommend this book. 👏🏻❤️ I love a good book that leaves you changed after reading it.
April 1, 2022
Fantastic
Reading this book has brought me great joy and has challenged me to be more like Jesus and lay down all my selfish desires for his. I am very grateful to Heidi Baker for sharing this with us because this book has taught me how to be like Jesus even when people do wrong to us we should love them.
Reading this book has brought me great joy and has challenged me to be more like Jesus and lay down all my selfish desires for his. I am very grateful to Heidi Baker for sharing this with us because this book has taught me how to be like Jesus even when people do wrong to us we should love them.
March 7, 2024
I was hoping to be encouraged by this story but I got about 18% into this book and decided not to finish. There were enough questions for me regarding the soundness of the theology along with othering of the poor and what seemed to be white savior complex to make me feel skeptical and decided it wasn’t worth my time.
October 22, 2018
What a beautiful book. This so deeply impacted me that I think I almost cried for joy several times while reading it. If you want to be encouraged, inspired, and learn about some GOOD going on in the world right now, pick this up.
May 12, 2020
This book was a glimpse into the life of a person truly living out God’s purpose in Mozambique. It moved me to tears and watered those dry places in my soul! She asked JESUS to show her His face and he told her His face was in the face of the suffering child she was holding. Undone!
January 2, 2024
A wonderful read. I could read this book over and over. An incredible testimony of God's love through the lens of the beatitudes. Heidi Baker shares her stories of learning and living out love in her ministries over the years.
September 14, 2024
Loved it how Heidi can mix the benevolences with her histories. And it’s so inspiring the she’s living and how she and her family give her life for others!
I started reading thinking it was about Heidi history, but ended up with a study of the sermon of the mountain!
I started reading thinking it was about Heidi history, but ended up with a study of the sermon of the mountain!
August 14, 2017
Challenging and inspiring.
Beautiful stories of how God works through Heidi and her team to touch orphans and the poor. She has lots of great Mother Teresa quotes in her book.
Beautiful stories of how God works through Heidi and her team to touch orphans and the poor. She has lots of great Mother Teresa quotes in her book.
November 1, 2017
So good
Really enjoyed this book! She tied together practical concepts with paradigms that shift the way you see the world. Love
Really enjoyed this book! She tied together practical concepts with paradigms that shift the way you see the world. Love
May 1, 2018
Incredible
May 26, 2019
Compelling Jesus stories! I nearly cried because of the Holy Spirit!
December 24, 2019
I want to love like Heidi does. Wow.
And I want to see Jesus like she does.
And the wonderful thing is ...
I. CAN.
And
I. SHALL.
And I want to see Jesus like she does.
And the wonderful thing is ...
I. CAN.
And
I. SHALL.
June 29, 2020
So refreshing for the soul to reread Heidi! She models what it looks to keep your heart burning with love for the One - and how everything flows from there.
July 27, 2020
It may be considered sacrilege to rate this 2 stars, but it just didn't grip me.
February 7, 2021
This book is at the heart of Christianity. If you're a Christian, you need to know this. You will not leave this book the same person you were before reading it.
February 18, 2021
The first few chapters were fire, moral of the story: God does wild things😎
February 22, 2021
Oh my goodness!!! This book is amazing! It is one that will challenge your spiritual walk and the spiritual condition of your heart - but that's a good thing
September 17, 2021
Très inspirant !!
January 13, 2023
Yeah, I just love everything about this book. If you are even thinking about it, read it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews