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The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church
A gripping tale of escape from Egypt, The Stranger at Our Shore is the true story of one young man’s journey out of Islam into new life in Christ. Through his remarkable testimony, Chicago pastor Joshua Sherif calls the Western Church to reconsider the plight of the modern day sojourners in our land—the strangers at our shore and the ones living right next door—and to return wholeheartedly to its first making disciples. The book examines three ways believers harden their hearts towards the stranger and suggests three practical remedies to help us begin casting a wider net for discipleship in our communities. Though any reader will be captivated by the powerful story, any believer will walk away from this book feeling less intimidated and better equipped to disciple people who are different than them.
176 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 13, 2022
Joshua and Sarah were a couple years ahead of me in college but I knew Joshua’s sister and Sarah’s dad. And I had heard pieces of Joshua’s story at different times and places. Having watched their ministries from a distance and now reading their words, I am so glad that our paths crossed.
This little book is going to be a treasure for the Church. For anyone who is trying to learn about immigrants and refugees. For the local bodies of believers who have the prompting to do something more or different. For men and women who want to follow Jesus well and welcome brothers and sisters from around the world into their families and the family of God.
Thank you, Joshua and Sarah, for these words. Well done, my friends.
This little book is going to be a treasure for the Church. For anyone who is trying to learn about immigrants and refugees. For the local bodies of believers who have the prompting to do something more or different. For men and women who want to follow Jesus well and welcome brothers and sisters from around the world into their families and the family of God.
Thank you, Joshua and Sarah, for these words. Well done, my friends.
November 25, 2022
The Stranger at Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church brings to light a shortcoming in the church - and in myself.
Sherif is an Egyptian immigrant with a Muslim background. Although he converted to Christianity in his youth, he faced a great deal of discrimination in the United States, including in the church. He doesn’t belabor the point, but instead reminds us of God’s love for the marginalized. Using Jonah, Peter, and the story of the good Samaritan as examples, Sherif illustrates that godly and “even Spirit-filled Christians can have blind spots and even deep prejudices.”
Beginning with prayer, Sherif shares strategies for increasing inclusiveness in our congregations, and outlines practical ways that Christians can confront stereotypes. Following Jesus’ example, Sherif challenges us to develop close relationships within immigrant communities.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
Sherif is an Egyptian immigrant with a Muslim background. Although he converted to Christianity in his youth, he faced a great deal of discrimination in the United States, including in the church. He doesn’t belabor the point, but instead reminds us of God’s love for the marginalized. Using Jonah, Peter, and the story of the good Samaritan as examples, Sherif illustrates that godly and “even Spirit-filled Christians can have blind spots and even deep prejudices.”
Beginning with prayer, Sherif shares strategies for increasing inclusiveness in our congregations, and outlines practical ways that Christians can confront stereotypes. Following Jesus’ example, Sherif challenges us to develop close relationships within immigrant communities.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
June 24, 2022
The Stranger at Our Shore is a grace-filled book that is an invitation and imperative for each of us to reach out to our neighbors from different backgrounds. It is full of stories of Joshua Sherif’s work as a pastor in Chicago and of his life as an American immigrant from Egypt. I appreciated Sherif’s ability to acknowledge nuance and complexity without relying on easy answers and platitudes. This is a deeply thoughtful book that incorporates Christian scripture and faith to remind us that our Gospel call is to welcome the stranger, the outcast, the oppressed. This book calls us to examine our biases and the fears that hold us back from truly doing this so that we may accept the freedom of Jesus to Love.
June 22, 2022
Great read. This was a glimpse into a culture I was relatively unfamiliar with. It’s good to be aware of other people’s struggles. The call to action was well-written and succinct: love, pray, action. It was encouraging and gracious, making me want to bravely engage some different people groups in love going forward.
June 29, 2023
Beautiful testimony of converting from Islam to Christianity. The author does well in sorting through the cultural challenges we face and encourages the reader to pursue immigrants and build the church on the foundation of Jesus, not cultural practices. Great book and love reading this kind of content. It’s a great combination of personal testimony, practical applications, and exhortation “to love and good works”.
June 7, 2022
Joshua Sherif skillfully weaves his own harrowing refugee journey with excellent biblical exposition to display how the Church has done at welcoming the stranger. He has experienced discrimination of being a Christian by Muslims, and the western world's rejection of not just Islam, but the people as well. He convicts you as a Christian AND a human being, and gently leads you to reflect on how you have been part of the problem, but also provides ways for you to become the solution to the unwelcoming environment for refugees and immigrants, but really as a model for welcoming any marginalized person in your life and community. This book should be required reading for all church leaders and anyone working with refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, displaced people, etc., and strongly suggested for any human being seeking to come alongside those in desperate situations, always bearing in mind that people are not defined by temporary legal status or their current life situations.
July 29, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free and know the author personally. I will do my best to keep this review objective.
This is a good book. It's not perfect, but most of my issues with it are on the technical side- I think the writing could be tightened up and focused a bit more. The topics covered are great, and I think important for the church as a whole to be considering. There's a lot nuanced insight into the refugee/immigrant experience and a plea to love the strangers among you, despite your differences. The advice given is realistic and practical. It's a short book and a quick read, but there's a lot packed in there. I expect I'll have to read it a few times to fully digest everything, but I'm already feeling challenged after one time through.
This is a good book. It's not perfect, but most of my issues with it are on the technical side- I think the writing could be tightened up and focused a bit more. The topics covered are great, and I think important for the church as a whole to be considering. There's a lot nuanced insight into the refugee/immigrant experience and a plea to love the strangers among you, despite your differences. The advice given is realistic and practical. It's a short book and a quick read, but there's a lot packed in there. I expect I'll have to read it a few times to fully digest everything, but I'm already feeling challenged after one time through.
June 3, 2022
What a wonderful read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who, like me, hates discussing political issues and sometimes needs a reminder that behind all those political issues you’d rather ignore are people God cares deeply about. Which means they’re people the Church should care deeply about. Which means they’re people you and I should care deeply about. This book offers that reminder with great humility and kindness. Definitely worth reading.
June 27, 2022
The heart of this book is a call for us to live the gospel by loving relationally across ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic boundaries. This is an accessible read that would work well for a small group or Bible study.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2025
Amazing book!! Opens your eyes to the people who we often don't notice in our community. Josh's story is not only inspiring but also a call to action. Let's be a positive change in our diverse communities by showing kindness and the love of Jesus.
May 17, 2026
Powerful, convicting, inspiring. I highly encourage every flower of Jesus to read and contemplate how beautifully diverse the family of God is, continues to become, and the wonderful opportunity to befriend and love ALL the people around us.
February 2, 2023
The author offers practical methods of including all people in the church, drawing everyone to Christ.
August 25, 2023
Great points and definitely a worth-while read though I didn’t love the writing style.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews