Ultimate Grace

by Levi Booth

A true story of Frisbee and faith in Japan

'It was an odd feeling, lining up against Great Britain. I used to dream that I might one day play for them; I had never thought that I would end up playing against them. But I had no time to dwell on the unexpected journey that had led me here, their puller raised the disc: the next point was about to start.'
If you thought being a missionary meant wearing socks and sandals, living in the jungle without a shower, and having no phone or Internet, then think again. This short book is going to blow away all your preconceptions. Levi Booth is not a stereotypical missionary. Not long out of uni, Levi headed to Japan with all his essentials: his Bible and Frisbee. He was just a normal bloke with a passion for Ultimate Frisbee who stepped out boldly to tell people about Jesus. This is his journey to Asia: the ups, the downs, the adventures and the Japanese national Ultimate Frisbee team.

Levi’s story will challenge your idea of what a missionary is and it might just cause you to consider how God could use you and your gifts, talents and hobbies – however unusual – to serve him around the world.

OMF teen bio

Genres: Christian, Biography

65 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Matthew Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant little snapshot of God’s grace in the author’s life. It’s a short, fun, and poignant read. To whet your appetite: how does God use Bruce Lee, an Ultimate Frisbee player at Leeds Uni, and a chance encounter with an international student to raise up a missionary to Japan who doesn’t like teaching English? The entertaining and encouraging answer is in this book!

Give this to your youth group, even if they’re not big readers.

[Josh Keatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book that involves mission and frisbee is usually a big tick for me. A great reminder of how God works through ordinary people to proclaim His extraordinary gospel.

[Simen N. Myklebust · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and clearly written story that will get you thinking about mission and the Gospel of Jesus.

[Nathanael Ayling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book! At 65 pages, I managed to read it in less than an hour. But it was an hour well spent. Levi writes in his inimitable entertaining, yet engaging, style.

He is at pains to show us, his readers, that he is a very ordinary guy, just like the rest of us. And yet, God has led him to Japan to play Ultimate Frisbee for Jesus. Along the way, he learns (and reminds us) that following Jesus involves costs - costs like saying goodbye to little nephews. But it is ultimately worth it.

Favourite quote:

"I've come to realise that actually, you don't make sacrifices for the sake of Jesus. You make investments; investments in your life, but also in the lives of others. Like all investments, there's a cost. But like all wise investments, the rewards are worth it."

"That's been the purpose of this book. Not that I would make myself out to be a great man of faith, but that by seeing the grace that God has poured onto my life, you will be encouraged to give your life fully to him. And my prayer is that wherever God leads you, you will always be able to hear the sound of your heavenly Father running alongside you, cheering for you with all his glorious might: 'Run, child, run!'

[Will Raby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi shares his wonderful testimony of God's grace in his life. He breaks the common misconceptions we can often have about missionary work to instead demonstrate how God can still use every day situations and our own real passions (in Levi's case, his love for Ultimate Frisbee) for the cause of sharing the gospel.

[Mrs M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read showing a snapshot of how God uses people's talents (ultimate frisbee in this case) to share his good gospel in any part of the world.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short book! I liked the quick read and hearing the story. Left at Wombats hostel in Vienna for someone else to read :)

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short yet thought-provoking book of Booth’s life. Reflecting on his personal growth of faith, his journey with Ultimate Frisbee, and the way God used him and his skills to do mission in Japan.

[Tarrant Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story. Highlights God's grace in the people He saves and uses

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and interesting book about someone we know.
I wonder if I can convince my grandchildren (Grade 6) to read it?

[Susy Dand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story of Levi’s journey with God and calling to serve God.

[Eilidh · Rating 4 out of 5]

encouraging read about Levi's journey to being a missionary in Japan

[Gavin Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspirational little book. Powerful to hear the story of an ordinary man using ordinary interests to engage with those around him for the sake of the gospel.

[Theo Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it but it was very short. It also didn't tell much of a story and was quite jumbled. It could have been made twice the length and actually told the story of his time as a missionary. It makes me think, what is the point of the book? We heard about his decision to become a missionary and a few anecdotes about frisbee and about Japan, but not much about Christianity overall or his life as a missionary. It was easy to read but not particularly worth it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book but an excellent one. Levi shares how God lead him to Japan and how Ultimate Frisbee became part of his ministry. This is a story of someone currently serving there.