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The Happiest People on Earth: The Story of Demos Shakarian, Founder of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship
This is a classic book about a businessman named Demos Shakarian. God gave Demos a vision of millions of men all over the world who had blank looks on their faces. He then was taken on trip around the world and saw these same men who found the secret to becoming the "Happiest People on Earth". With God's leading, Demos started the "Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International" The Fellowship grew to over 8000 Chapters in 143 Country's and is still very active today. His vision has inspired millions of men and women to fullfill their God given destiny. This book has had a major impact on the Christian World for over 60 years.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 22, 2012
This was one of my favorite books. I read it and my wife read it and we would take turns reading our favorite parts to each other, sometimes with tears. An awesome story about an amazing life. An example of pure utter dependence on God.
August 9, 2012
One of the most encouraging stories of a 20th-century walk of faith I have read in a long time.
April 12, 2024
♥️♥️♥️
April 20, 2023
There is a peculiar kind of tears that come when reading a book that is suffused with the Spirit of the God of heaven. This book provoked those tears, over and over again.
December 7, 2023
Incredible faith building stories, I loved this book
October 6, 2023
A story of God’s work and movement through Armenian Pentecostals who immigrated to California and who later caught a vision of spreading the life of Jesus internationally through fellowships of business men and woman. Full of instances of learning to hear and follow the Holy Spirit’s wisdom, of miracles, of ordinary people just being faithful to their calling.
The reality of the great, great kindness of God hit me in fresh way. He is so kind. So, so good. It encourages my heart to hear these amazing stories.
The reality of the great, great kindness of God hit me in fresh way. He is so kind. So, so good. It encourages my heart to hear these amazing stories.
August 31, 2021
This is the amazing story of a man with the unlikely name of Demos - unlikely to Western ears anyway. Though born in America his father was Armenian. His grandfather had left Armenia a few years into the twentieth century in response to a prophecy given by a Russian Christian who lived in their village. That prophecy foretold great suffering for the Armenians in the years ahead - a prophecy that proved to be true with the Armenian genocide that occurred at the hands of the Turks during the First World War. The Shakarian family were, by then, settled in California on the West Coast of the USA.
The book, first published in 1975, is an autobiography. It tells the story of Pentecostal revival in America, and the establishment of a parachurch (and interdenominational) organisation called the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International, which is familiar to most Christians. The narrative is peppered with stories of miracles, which though seen as "normal" in the Christian experience, are never portrayed as "normative" in the sense that they can be expected. Shakarian is honest enough to relate the stories of failures as well as successes. There are miraculous healings - extraordinary stories - but there are also those who are prayed for who do not get healed, but die. He also does not shy away from describing his failures - the meetings he organised in great faith when no-one turned up.
I don't think I would describe myself as a Pentecostal, so why did I like this book so much? Simply because it is an honest and down to earth story of spiritual revival in individual lives, something that I believe is as real and possible today as it has ever been. It is an honest portrayal of a supernatural God who is interested and involved in the affairs of humanity. In our day such an idea is scoffed at by a skeptical world which thinks it knows better, educated but non-believing men and women who refuse to be taken in by anything that cannot be explained by science. The genuine joy and wonder at God and his actions that comes through in this amazing story stands in strong contrast to the "enlightened" unbelief of such views.
What is the key to happiness, according to Demos Shakarian? Is it to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a concept that continues to divide Christians to this day? Though he is Pentecostal, his answer to that question would be no. Rather the key to happiness is to know God, to discover the particular gifts that God has given to you, and to use those gifts to bring honour to God and make him known throughout the world.
Shakarian was no preacher, and he is the first to admit that. His profession was dairy farmer, but his gift was "helping." This book is the story of his life journey with a powerful and loving God, and his passion to help others to know and follow that same God.
The book, first published in 1975, is an autobiography. It tells the story of Pentecostal revival in America, and the establishment of a parachurch (and interdenominational) organisation called the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International, which is familiar to most Christians. The narrative is peppered with stories of miracles, which though seen as "normal" in the Christian experience, are never portrayed as "normative" in the sense that they can be expected. Shakarian is honest enough to relate the stories of failures as well as successes. There are miraculous healings - extraordinary stories - but there are also those who are prayed for who do not get healed, but die. He also does not shy away from describing his failures - the meetings he organised in great faith when no-one turned up.
I don't think I would describe myself as a Pentecostal, so why did I like this book so much? Simply because it is an honest and down to earth story of spiritual revival in individual lives, something that I believe is as real and possible today as it has ever been. It is an honest portrayal of a supernatural God who is interested and involved in the affairs of humanity. In our day such an idea is scoffed at by a skeptical world which thinks it knows better, educated but non-believing men and women who refuse to be taken in by anything that cannot be explained by science. The genuine joy and wonder at God and his actions that comes through in this amazing story stands in strong contrast to the "enlightened" unbelief of such views.
What is the key to happiness, according to Demos Shakarian? Is it to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a concept that continues to divide Christians to this day? Though he is Pentecostal, his answer to that question would be no. Rather the key to happiness is to know God, to discover the particular gifts that God has given to you, and to use those gifts to bring honour to God and make him known throughout the world.
Shakarian was no preacher, and he is the first to admit that. His profession was dairy farmer, but his gift was "helping." This book is the story of his life journey with a powerful and loving God, and his passion to help others to know and follow that same God.
May 4, 2017
Probably the most conflicted I've felt about a book in a long time. I don't doubt any of the things shared in this book are possible. Not at all. It's a question of emphasis that bothered me.
From a narrative perspective, this was a top-notch read. Really enjoyed it, as I have all the rest of the Sherrill books that I have read (Hiding Place, God's Smuggler, Cross and the Switchblade).
My challenge is a theological one though, but not the one I would imagine many critics raise. I am not a cessationalist at all. I simply do not believe that the ways in which the Holy Spirit is recorded as having worked in their lives is the primary purpose / operation He wants to perform for people; and though I don't disagree or even doubt the veracity of the stories recounted here, I can't help but feel it is a huge missed opportunity to spend so much time talking about healings and heifer selections, and to spend hardly any time at all talking about holiness.
He is, after all the *Holy* Spirit. His primary purpose is to reveal Jesus Christ to us and to transform us into His likeness. In short, He wants to make us holy.
And what keeps us from being holy? Is it cancer? Or a failing business? No! These things don't affect our holiness one bit! (In fact, far from it; in the hand of Almighty God, we can even trust that such things will work out for our "good," which is that we might be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-29).)
Sin is our biggest problem, 1000x worse than blindness, cancer, or any other physical ailment. No one has EVER gone to hell bc of a physical ailment.
But sin was hardly ever mentioned in this testimony. None of the stories had to do with deliverance from sin (outside of the recovered alcoholic in the last 5 pages), and in fact the first time I even noticed the word sin was on page 157.
So this was a tough book for me to read. Not because I wasn't enthralled by the stories. I was. Not because my heart didn't leap for joy at many of the wonders recounted within. It did.
But because I kept having the feeling that many people who read this might leave it having no idea what their real problem is -- sin -- and having no idea that God sent Jesus to atone for their sin, or that He sent His precious Holy Spirit so that we might no longer be slaves of sin, either.
From a narrative perspective, this was a top-notch read. Really enjoyed it, as I have all the rest of the Sherrill books that I have read (Hiding Place, God's Smuggler, Cross and the Switchblade).
My challenge is a theological one though, but not the one I would imagine many critics raise. I am not a cessationalist at all. I simply do not believe that the ways in which the Holy Spirit is recorded as having worked in their lives is the primary purpose / operation He wants to perform for people; and though I don't disagree or even doubt the veracity of the stories recounted here, I can't help but feel it is a huge missed opportunity to spend so much time talking about healings and heifer selections, and to spend hardly any time at all talking about holiness.
He is, after all the *Holy* Spirit. His primary purpose is to reveal Jesus Christ to us and to transform us into His likeness. In short, He wants to make us holy.
And what keeps us from being holy? Is it cancer? Or a failing business? No! These things don't affect our holiness one bit! (In fact, far from it; in the hand of Almighty God, we can even trust that such things will work out for our "good," which is that we might be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-29).)
Sin is our biggest problem, 1000x worse than blindness, cancer, or any other physical ailment. No one has EVER gone to hell bc of a physical ailment.
But sin was hardly ever mentioned in this testimony. None of the stories had to do with deliverance from sin (outside of the recovered alcoholic in the last 5 pages), and in fact the first time I even noticed the word sin was on page 157.
So this was a tough book for me to read. Not because I wasn't enthralled by the stories. I was. Not because my heart didn't leap for joy at many of the wonders recounted within. It did.
But because I kept having the feeling that many people who read this might leave it having no idea what their real problem is -- sin -- and having no idea that God sent Jesus to atone for their sin, or that He sent His precious Holy Spirit so that we might no longer be slaves of sin, either.
July 4, 2011
Read it before I became a born again Christian - this was the first book that really got my thinking that the Pentecostal movement was a real life thing. I KNEW that these people knew God in a way that I did not.
September 28, 2022
One of the few books I would whole heartedly reread
July 9, 2008
“I believe God has a particular gift for each of His servants, some special ability we’re to use for His Kingdom...The important thing is He tells each of us to go. Go with whatever gift He has given—knowing that when we find that gift and use it, no matter what the condition of the world around us, we will be the happiest people on earth."
Demos Shakarian
Demos Shakarian
February 23, 2024
This book was so captivating that I didn’t want to put it down! What powerful testimonies and such an encouragement to persevere in the face of adversity.
June 21, 2024
For fifty years, over the mountains the Russians came into Armenia, bringing their stories of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Most Armenians were Orthodox, but Demos' grandfather like many others in Kara Kala was Presbyterian. He refused to believe in miracles and for him that included prophecy and speaking in tongues. But one day everything changed. Grandfather was holding a feast and was expected to offer the finest steer for his visitors, but instead he chose one with a blind eye. He hid the evidence but, as the feast was about to begin and the Russians were waiting for the anointing, without which they would not even pray grace over a meal, a prophet stood up, went to the barn, found the hidden evidence and brought it out. "You do not believe He speaks to His people today as in the past," said the man. "The Spirit gave me this word of knowledge for a special reason: that you and your family might believe. You have been resisting the power of the Spirit. Today is the day you will resist no longer."
So began the Shakarians' encounter with the Spirit of God. Soon after, the "Boy Prophet" of Kara Kala (who was in fact 58 years old) and who was of an old Russian family said that a vision he had spoken of nearly half a century previously of a time when the Christians would be in terrible danger and an unspeakable tragedy involving the murder of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children would occur soon. He spoke of leaving for America and said all who remained would perish.
Just ten years before the Armenian genocide, the family left their farm and went to the United States. There on the west coast, Demos was born and grew up. And there the family developed what was soon to become the biggest dairy in California and Demos' father dreamed would become the biggest in the world. The world of business was full of problems of supply, markets, over-extension, health of cattle. But gradually, through it all Demos learned to rely on God. There were hard times and there were miracles.
And then, one day Demos had a vision of blank-faced businessmen - men who needed the gospel but who didn't understand it in the way it was preached from pulpits, men who needed other businessmen to explain it to them. And so, from modest and faltering initial steps, the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship began.
Ray Charles Jarman was brilliant preacher who never spoke of Christ. He did not believe in the divinity of Jesus or miracles. He sought the elusive reality of God in Religious Science, New Thought, Christian Unity, Christian Science, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Eastern religions under Paramahansa Yogananda, revelations of God via LSD. Shannon Woodruff, on his own conversion, tried for four years to get Jarman to a Fellowship meeting - and he finally attended the one where Demos' sister Florence sang her last song before she died. Opera buff Jarman had never heard anything like it. But he intellectualised his encounter with God for months before finally surrendering to Jesus. Jarman became well-known in the Fellowship because of his preaching after this conversion.
So began the Shakarians' encounter with the Spirit of God. Soon after, the "Boy Prophet" of Kara Kala (who was in fact 58 years old) and who was of an old Russian family said that a vision he had spoken of nearly half a century previously of a time when the Christians would be in terrible danger and an unspeakable tragedy involving the murder of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children would occur soon. He spoke of leaving for America and said all who remained would perish.
Just ten years before the Armenian genocide, the family left their farm and went to the United States. There on the west coast, Demos was born and grew up. And there the family developed what was soon to become the biggest dairy in California and Demos' father dreamed would become the biggest in the world. The world of business was full of problems of supply, markets, over-extension, health of cattle. But gradually, through it all Demos learned to rely on God. There were hard times and there were miracles.
And then, one day Demos had a vision of blank-faced businessmen - men who needed the gospel but who didn't understand it in the way it was preached from pulpits, men who needed other businessmen to explain it to them. And so, from modest and faltering initial steps, the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship began.
Ray Charles Jarman was brilliant preacher who never spoke of Christ. He did not believe in the divinity of Jesus or miracles. He sought the elusive reality of God in Religious Science, New Thought, Christian Unity, Christian Science, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Eastern religions under Paramahansa Yogananda, revelations of God via LSD. Shannon Woodruff, on his own conversion, tried for four years to get Jarman to a Fellowship meeting - and he finally attended the one where Demos' sister Florence sang her last song before she died. Opera buff Jarman had never heard anything like it. But he intellectualised his encounter with God for months before finally surrendering to Jesus. Jarman became well-known in the Fellowship because of his preaching after this conversion.
May 9, 2021
I read this title after watching a movie titled "The Promise" about the Armenian genocides.
How does this tie into reading the title The Happiest People on Earth," which happens to share the story of the Armenian man, diary farmer, son, husband, father, friend.... Well, after having watched and read both titles I found myself engrossed in learning more.
If you opt to watch the film, I encourage you to have tissues on hand.
Now, for the book. Shakarian doesn't boast to be anyone more than who he is. He admits that his given talent is not public speaking, but rather being a helper, a facilitator of spreading the Good News. His families testimony and that of his own only expound upon the meaning of faith. The writing is fluid and overall the title is difficult to put down.
How does this tie into reading the title The Happiest People on Earth," which happens to share the story of the Armenian man, diary farmer, son, husband, father, friend.... Well, after having watched and read both titles I found myself engrossed in learning more.
If you opt to watch the film, I encourage you to have tissues on hand.
Now, for the book. Shakarian doesn't boast to be anyone more than who he is. He admits that his given talent is not public speaking, but rather being a helper, a facilitator of spreading the Good News. His families testimony and that of his own only expound upon the meaning of faith. The writing is fluid and overall the title is difficult to put down.
January 5, 2018
It was an inspiring book that I both felt like I could not put it down yet tried to read slowly to savour every sentence. I enjoyed how they started the book with the family history and explained how they became the happiest people on earth and each person's personal steps to get to that place. I greatly appreciated that they included some of the tougher moments of life and the blunt reality that there are messes and mistakes in the Christian life, especially for leaders. I would suggest to anyone of any age because God is understandable even to little children.
March 28, 2020
One mans journey of faith. A lesson that God helps in the big things but he's interested in the small things to, just present your prayers and petitions to Him.
Primary industry is challenging and stressful. Lively hood depends on it. Its a gamble.
When he learns to put God at the centre of his life and involve him in his business affairs, challenges grow him, his success increases and he influences his community for God. Begins putting ministry over business.
It was a smiley story and it just kept getting more smiley.
Primary industry is challenging and stressful. Lively hood depends on it. Its a gamble.
When he learns to put God at the centre of his life and involve him in his business affairs, challenges grow him, his success increases and he influences his community for God. Begins putting ministry over business.
It was a smiley story and it just kept getting more smiley.
June 21, 2022
As an Armenian that grew up in a Christian household, I’ve heard of the name Demos Shakarian a lot. And now I finally read his book and it has been the best experience I’ve had in my life reading a book.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone. For christians and non christians who are interested in business.
Best book I’ve listened too. Loved it so much that I bought many copies for my friends and family!
God bless,
Jack Kasparian
I strongly recommend this book to anyone. For christians and non christians who are interested in business.
Best book I’ve listened too. Loved it so much that I bought many copies for my friends and family!
God bless,
Jack Kasparian
December 24, 2019
I love this book. It covers through the history of pentecostal movement in the early 19s and the anointing upon Demos Shakarian. It helped me to understand the dealings of the Holy Spirit at a deeper level.
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July 14, 2020An inspiring account of how one man found his purpose in life. I loved this book as it ignited my own desire to connect with the Holy Spirit more deeply in my Christian walk. I highly recommend if you want to be inspired in your faith.
July 6, 2024
Honestly this book made me cry and rethink how I live my day-to-day Christian life. It gave me the extra boost to my faith. And it's a book I know that I will come back to over and over again because of God's goodness as the example in this book.
May 26, 2017
Amazing book!
September 1, 2017
Wonderful! Christians! Just marvelous! Founder of Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship! Great group: Saturday mornings, Emeryville CA !
August 8, 2019
This book pointed me to my purpose.
March 5, 2020
A great story of faith, worth the read.
November 4, 2020
Wonderful biography of Christian businessman Demos Shakarian and the start of the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International. An inspirational tale of God's calling, provision and blessing.
August 23, 2021
Read it several times..
Spoke recntly at a FGBMFI meeting and received a copy as a 'thank you'.
Incredible testimony of God's goodness and interest in our lives..
Spoke recntly at a FGBMFI meeting and received a copy as a 'thank you'.
Incredible testimony of God's goodness and interest in our lives..
February 7, 2022
Enjoyable... and an easy read.
July 2, 2023
If this book comes across your life it's divinely guided by Jesus
July 11, 2024
I never give 5 stars but this book made me cry and laugh and rejoice! God is still with us and this book tells an amazing story everyone should hear.
August 30, 2025
With this book I met and befriended Jesus Crist, my savior!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews