What do you think?
Rate this book
Becoming More Fruitful in Cross-Cultural Work: How to Be Free in Christ and Rooted in Reality as you Fulfill Your Call
Did God call you to the field to set others free in Christ while you stay trapped in an unintended form of ministry bondage?
Everyone, whether individuals or organizations, has metrics of what success looks like. But over time, those metrics can become the primary way we evaluate our fruitfulness. Much like the Galatians, cross-cultural workers can inadvertently turn our metrics into a modern version of “the law” and be enslaved by it.
Amy Young, viral communicator and veteran of eighteen years in China, understands that burnout on the field is often related to being more focused on fruitfulness in ministry than in our spiritual life. As Paul advocates in his letter to the Galatians, she desires that you walk with the Spirit and experience true freedom in Christ. This freedom and fruitfulness exist in three directions: with God, others, and yourself.
Can you really be fruitful given the realities you face, whether a particular teammate, culture, or stress? You can mark your fruitfulness on the field by your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Becoming More Fruitful in Cross-Cultural Work can be your reality.
Everyone, whether individuals or organizations, has metrics of what success looks like. But over time, those metrics can become the primary way we evaluate our fruitfulness. Much like the Galatians, cross-cultural workers can inadvertently turn our metrics into a modern version of “the law” and be enslaved by it.
Amy Young, viral communicator and veteran of eighteen years in China, understands that burnout on the field is often related to being more focused on fruitfulness in ministry than in our spiritual life. As Paul advocates in his letter to the Galatians, she desires that you walk with the Spirit and experience true freedom in Christ. This freedom and fruitfulness exist in three directions: with God, others, and yourself.
Can you really be fruitful given the realities you face, whether a particular teammate, culture, or stress? You can mark your fruitfulness on the field by your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Becoming More Fruitful in Cross-Cultural Work can be your reality.
186 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 16, 2023
I loved the idea behind this book by focusing less on performance and more on the fruit of the Spirit in our lives as cross cultural workers to truly gauge fruitfulness. Also, there were some very practical, insightful and relevant things that I felt really benefited and challenged me. A couple of chapters for me were a bit confusing and I finished them feeling like, ok, so what does that fruit of the spirit actually look like? (Each chapter is based on one of the fruit of the Spirit). But most of them, had me coming back to meditate on parts I highlighted. I think a couple of the fruits could have been explained better or researched for more clarity before writing those chapters (particularly gentleness). But I found this to be a great book that is relevant and practical for cross-cultural workers.
August 18, 2022
The idea of fruitfulness is familiar to all Christians, but it carries a certain angst among cross-cultural workers. We've come to see the fruit of our ministry as the ROI for sending partners. We end up looking at fruitfulness as a profit and loss statement. How do our numbers look? That is not what this book is about.
In Becoming More Fruitful, Amy takes us through the nine fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5, but not so that we can make new checklists and *get it right.* She shows how the fruit of the Spirit come from our freedom from the law and make us more and more free as we grow.
This book is both refreshing and liberating. Yet, it challenges me to cultivate fruit as I walk in the Spirit. Amy says, "This is the paradox of growing as a Christian: it is the work of the Holy Spirit in you *and* your intentional participation...evidence of God at work in you *and* of your obedience in thought and action as a child of God."
In Becoming More Fruitful, Amy takes us through the nine fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5, but not so that we can make new checklists and *get it right.* She shows how the fruit of the Spirit come from our freedom from the law and make us more and more free as we grow.
This book is both refreshing and liberating. Yet, it challenges me to cultivate fruit as I walk in the Spirit. Amy says, "This is the paradox of growing as a Christian: it is the work of the Holy Spirit in you *and* your intentional participation...evidence of God at work in you *and* of your obedience in thought and action as a child of God."
August 22, 2022
I was able to read this book before it released. I love a good book that connects to cross-cultural life and also helps me to grow spiritually. I love Amy's stories from her time overseas the fact that she has really thought about what it takes to be "fruitful" in ministry. It is not all about the ministry, it is really mostly about living more and more in the image of our creator each day. This book gives you something concrete to think about every chapter and substantial to reflect on while not feeling like too much because the fruits of the spirit are familiar.
August 24, 2022
If you are looking for a magical list of tasks that will boost your productivity this is NOT the book for you.
If you are tired of looking at life as a to do list, if you feel worn out from judging your daily interactions with a rubric, then this book will be a breath of fresh air. If you are feeling a bit spiritually anemic, this book could be the prescription you need..
There's actually two different ways you can read this book: read it all the way through (as I did so I could write a review) or take it one chapter at a time (as I intend to do when I re-read it.) Each chapter is devoted to a different spiritual gift. You will get so much more out of it if you read a chapter and then take the time to let that chapter's topic really seep into your soul. You could even combine it with journaling and independent Bible study and make your own spiritual growth program.
I am honoured that Amy let me read her book early. Her writing style is witty yet intellectual and she has so much experience to share with others. I really enjoyed this book (if you couldn't tell) and plan on sharing it with others.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Technically I was given a copy but it was a pdf that still had typos. That really shouldn't count. It was a lot of typos which I'm assuming aren't in the final product (if they are in the final product I'll come back and knock it down four stars because they were really distracting).
If you are tired of looking at life as a to do list, if you feel worn out from judging your daily interactions with a rubric, then this book will be a breath of fresh air. If you are feeling a bit spiritually anemic, this book could be the prescription you need..
There's actually two different ways you can read this book: read it all the way through (as I did so I could write a review) or take it one chapter at a time (as I intend to do when I re-read it.) Each chapter is devoted to a different spiritual gift. You will get so much more out of it if you read a chapter and then take the time to let that chapter's topic really seep into your soul. You could even combine it with journaling and independent Bible study and make your own spiritual growth program.
I am honoured that Amy let me read her book early. Her writing style is witty yet intellectual and she has so much experience to share with others. I really enjoyed this book (if you couldn't tell) and plan on sharing it with others.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Technically I was given a copy but it was a pdf that still had typos. That really shouldn't count. It was a lot of typos which I'm assuming aren't in the final product (if they are in the final product I'll come back and knock it down four stars because they were really distracting).
August 25, 2022
I had the honor of reading this book before it was released and I’m so pleased with it! I loved her personal stories of events that happened in China (hitting people with her gloves lol) and how relatable and honest she is. Reading a few Amy Young book in the past, I know she is a great storyteller so I was looking forward to this one!
Sometimes the stories became a little distracting and the transitions felt awkward, though. That doesn’t take away from the fact that her stories are relatable and therefore comforting, as a cross cultural worker myself.
Definitely had to reread a few sections that had some golden nuggets, the “lesson or punch line,” if you will. I really enjoyed reading those! I personally loved the first and last chapters of this book. The information she shared in those chapters was challenging in the best way possible. The last thing I’d like to mention is the lovely prayer that was built throughout the book. I’ll be saving that and reflecting on how to make that personal in the future.
Thank you, Amy for this!
Sometimes the stories became a little distracting and the transitions felt awkward, though. That doesn’t take away from the fact that her stories are relatable and therefore comforting, as a cross cultural worker myself.
Definitely had to reread a few sections that had some golden nuggets, the “lesson or punch line,” if you will. I really enjoyed reading those! I personally loved the first and last chapters of this book. The information she shared in those chapters was challenging in the best way possible. The last thing I’d like to mention is the lovely prayer that was built throughout the book. I’ll be saving that and reflecting on how to make that personal in the future.
Thank you, Amy for this!
August 17, 2022
A master storyteller, Amy Young speaks sincerely and authentically about the fruit of the Spirit. Amy’s voice is strong in her writing; it seemed I was continually chatting over coffee with a supportive friend as I read this book. Hidden within her conversive explanations are poignant lessons. Get your notebook out, for you will want to save and possibly quote these truths. Here are just a few: 1. Sit with Jesus sipping fruit infused water—in other words, spend time with Him as He seeks to refresh you with water that goes a bit beyond plain water; 2. I’m slowly leaning into the truth that walking with the Holy Spirit means allowing the fruit a full range of expression. There are so many more!
August 21, 2022
I had the honour to read 'Becoming More Fruitful in Cross-Cultural Work' before it was released. Being a cross-cultural worker now for several years, I found Amy Young's book refreshing and a great reminder that we are not alone in the field. Her insights and stories are in relationship and rooted in Christ and His Word. Each section of the book work on their own, which allows the reader to take their time and reflect. All three sections tie together to form a whole. I highly recommend this book especially for those who are currently working as a cross-cultural worker or able to become one. Even if you have not had this experience, this is a book that still is able to relate to home expereinces.
August 21, 2022
It is so easy to get caught up in 'success' and numbers when serving overseas and then getting burned out. Amy Young's book flips the narrative on its head and challenges you to be more focused on your walk with the Spirit to experience true freedom in Christ. Measuring success by the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives will relieve the pressure and expectations that we often put on ourselves as we minister to others.
I'm excited to recommend this book to each missionary we send from our organization. Amy has much experience overseas and her stories are so relatable. I was able to read Becoming More Fruitful before it was released.
I'm excited to recommend this book to each missionary we send from our organization. Amy has much experience overseas and her stories are so relatable. I was able to read Becoming More Fruitful before it was released.
August 22, 2022
Who doesn't want to become more fruitful???!!! As a cross cultural worker being fruitful can be so challenging and at times seem impossible. This book helps to see fruitfulness that goes beyond numbers and achievements. It's all about attitude, our personal growth.
I like the way Amy interweaves her personal story/experiences with great in-depth study of God's Word. Her way of writing helps me to keep engaged.
Well done Amy! I loved reading this book.
I like the way Amy interweaves her personal story/experiences with great in-depth study of God's Word. Her way of writing helps me to keep engaged.
Well done Amy! I loved reading this book.
August 31, 2022
Every worker is searching for a measure of progress, sometimes to just continue the work when days are long, tiring,& hard. The book is encouragement to the soul, reminding us to look inside to the change God can do in US. After this furlough and because of this book, I’m exited to return and do our work with joy, peace, patience, etc.
March 18, 2024
Fantastic devotional read on the Fruit of the Spirit combined with wisdom on living overseas. Great book!
August 17, 2022
I think this book is beneficial for far more than simply the cross-cultural worker. Anyone can grow as they read about the author’s escapades and learn how to draw closer to the Holy Spirit as He grows fruit within us. It felt like we were just chatting in a cafe like old friends.
August 17, 2022
Such a practical and beautifully written book. Amy has an amazing way of telling stories that stick with you, and I was already highlighting in the intro. Would definitely recommend this book especially for cross-cultual workers who want to grow personally and also in the fruitfulness of what they are doing.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews