Unlikely Fighter: The Story of How a Fatherless Street Kid Overcame Violence, Chaos, and Confusion to Become a Radical Christ Follower

by Greg Stier, Lee Strobel (Foreword)

Some memories are permanently seared into our childhood brains with a hot iron of adrenaline and fear. For five-year-old Greg, it was the memory of his ma walking back to the house after confronting his stepdad with a splintered, bloodied baseball bat in her hand.

Greg Stier was raised in a family of bodybuilding, tobacco-chewing, fist-fighting thugs. He never knew his biological father because his mom had met his dad at a party; she got pregnant, and he left town. Though his mom almost aborted him, in a last-minute twist, Greg’s life was spared for so much more.

Unlikely Fighter is the incredible story of how God showed up in Greg’s life―and how he can show up in yours as well. This is a memoir of violence and mayhem―and how God can transform everything.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom bought this book for me for Christmas, among others and I absolutely loved this one. Greg is a kid from the hood without a father and has a family of bodybuilders who are violent and have a reputation for their strength. When a man comes to his violent and crazy uncles house and tells him about the love of Jesus he accepts Christ and is whole life changes. He starts to tell his other family members about Jesus and it changes the entire trajectory of their family. Some of the fun stories are this uncle trying to tell a guy about Jesus at the gym and he ends up punching another guy that keeps interrupting. Or about his mom who is so tough she took a baseball bat to her ex husband’s car and her ex all while smoking a cigarette that never left her mouth. It’s a short book with a really good message.

[Barbara Tsipouras · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of memoires, but Greg's story was impressive and kept me reading. We often think we are determined by our background, but his story makes it clear that we can find a new (your real) identity in Christ.
I was surprised how "easy" it seemed to be to share the gospel. Perhaps you really need to be at the end of your rope to accept easily the Christ's gift of a new life. "Normal" people often can't appreciate the gift of forgiveness because they believe they don't need it.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the stories of his family and being able to see each one of his uncle's and momma come to Christ. This book has the same voice that Greg Stier uses when he preaches. It's written like he speaks, so much so that there were times where I was reading and hearing his voice in my head.

[Jeremy Juliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story telling. Fantastic message.

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ Great story, well written, and God centered!

[Mh Weyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

How sweet of the Lord to bring this entire unlikely family to you! From fighting on behalf of their own pride, they are now fighting for Christs honor. Warning: this does not shy away from some ugly stuff (but not gratuitously graphic). But the transformation is so much more powerful because of where they started. What is your purpose and why does God have you here?

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing True Life Story of the Power of the GOSPEL.

It was a joy to read this story of Greg’s early years. Having served under Greg for a year and a half at Dare 2 Share Ministries, taken my youth groups to D2S conferences, and used D2S resources, I picked up bits and pieces of his story along the way. (I’ve used the story of Doug’s bicycle evangelism many times!) This book puts all the amazing stories together, with the thread of the Gospel tying them all together. Believe me when I say, you will be moved by the stories in the book. Whether you were raised on the streets of the ghetto or in a gated community mansion, you can connect with the real life experiences that transcend social status. Most importantly, you’ll see how the love of Jesus can transform your life, and the lives of those around you. Thanks Greg for sharing your life with us.

[Megan Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel encouraged to share the gospel fearlessly. Reading this was a breath of fresh air as Greg grew up in a crime ridden home and his family of troublemakers all came to know and love the Lord - praying for a similar story for my brother♥️ This was the first time I’ve ever read a book that takes place somewhere I not only love but am very familiar with - Denver, Arvada, Westminster and being able to accurately visualize the places he was writing about made reading this book so much more real and brought it to life in a new way. What a gift to have such a champion for Christ in our neighborhood!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard a fabulous interview with Greg Stier on The Alisa Childers Podcast and really enjoyed it. So I read this book. I laughed, I cried and I was very moved by the stories from his life and how Jesus found his family…every single one of them. It very much motivated me to share the gospel - fight for everyone to hear it and know it and understand it - and not give up on the most “unlikely” folks in my family. Praise the Lord for his work in Greg’s life and family ♥️

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story-telling, even better plot.

[Sarah Flaming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well-written account of Greg’s childhood and his family’s journey to faith. Convicting, engaging, and inspiring. Thank you, Greg for sharing your story. I’d love to read a sequel documenting the next part of your story!

Also, it was fun to read a book with so many Denver places I remember from my childhood- most notably the balloon plaza in the old Westminster mall 😊

[Andy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Hard to believe he was raised in a family of fighters. Wow! Talk about the grace of God. This is a great book to give out as an evangelist tool. Very engaging and an easy read you won't want to put down until you get the end. Great book.

[Kristin Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this autobiography of a local Denver inner city boy turned preacher and how God used and still uses him to reach people with the simple gospel!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

We saw Greg at Grace Church STL and bought his book. He’s an excellent speaker! The book made me laugh and cry. Such amazing stories that all give the glory to God.

[Shirley Reimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an intriguing, interesting., enlightening book! I'd recommend it

[Brittany]

Author at CCU

[Bethany Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, the sneak peek of what the book was about on the cover threw me off totally in a not so good type of way.
The rating of the book is based on that.

[Jodi Uplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. Loved hearing his testimony and drive to lead his family to Christ.

[Eric Michiels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and inspirational story.

[Cadence Abrego · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was great!! Taught me the importance of sharing the gospel and it really can make a heart of stone into a heart of flesh, Jesus transforms souls