Recently I read an outstanding, newly published book entitled Compelled: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God, which I heartily encourage others to read. This work is written by Paul and Sarah Hastings, and relates seven incredible true stories of modern-day people in whose lives God carried out His mighty, merciful work for their good and to His glory.
The book’s chapters relate the amazing testimonies of:
Hannah Overton, who was falsely accused and convicted of the murder of her beloved foster son, then sentenced to life in prison. How the Lord sustained and used her in that unthinkable ordeal is instructive.
Don and Carol Richardson, who courageously, compassionately ministered among cannibals and headhunters in Papua New Guinea for many years. The peace God established between warring tribes and the peace He brought to superstitious “savages” with Himself is incredible.
Laura Perry Smalts, who was delivered from radical transgenderism, had her life transformed by Christ, and found in Him her true identify and the personal joy that had always eluded her.
Brian Birdwell, whose life was providentially spared by God when a jet commandeered by terrorists slammed into the Pentagon on 9/11, where he fell, trapped inside the burning building, only fifteen yards from the initial impact site of the crash. Brian also experienced the Lord’s sustaining mercy in the long, grueling process of recovering from the serious burns he sustained that day.
Carol Everett, who justified thousands of abortions while running a lucrative abortion clinic business. The story of how God transformed her heart and led her into compassionate pro-life ministry is remarkable.
Troy Gause, an infamous drug dealer in New Orleans who went by the unique nickname of “Church Boy.” The Lord drew Troy to Himself through the horrific consequences of his own poor choices, then called him into significant Christian ministry.
Jeff Parker, a Chrisian husband, dad and ministry leader, who for many years lived a double life of bondage to deception, pornography and gambling, before experiencing full and permanent deliverance through the power of Christ operating in his life.
These testimonies clearly show that God is still very much in the business of patiently, graciously working in the lives of people who are very far from him, to draw them to Himself and to dramatically change their lives. Other of these people were committed Christians who experienced unspeakable adversity in their lives, which God permitted but then used to greatly grow their spiritual faith and fruitfulness. These stories also exhibit how God redeems people’s profound pain and excruciating trials (rather than allowing those to be wasted) by bringing marked blessings to them, as well as tremendous benefit to others through them.
Every one of these stories is related in a well-paced, highly-engaging fashion. Each person’s testimony is so significant and well-told, I didn’t want to put the book down until I had finished a chapter. And I was eager to pick it back up again to read another chapter or two.
In 2018 Paul and Sarah Hastings launched the Compelled podcast. Since then, they’ve produced upwards of 100 of the most powerful testimonies they could find of lives that have been completely changed by Jesus. I believe this is their first collection of testimonies in book form and certainly hope other such works will follow.
The Hastings state in the introduction to their book: “Our prayer is that these stories would reassure you of the incredible power of Christ and kindle fresh affection in your heart for the Author of your own story.”
Christian apologist Lee Strobel offers high personal commendation of Compelled by stating: “I love this book! The compelling stories of God’s intervention into unlikely lives inspired me, encouraged me, and motivated me to continue sharing His message of grace with others.”
May God be greatly glorified through this work, and may innumerable readers find in its chapters heartening and helpful touchpoints to their own lives.
This book is available through a number of booksellers at a nicely discounted price, and can likely be ordered through your favorite Christian bookseller. Here’s a link to one of those: https://store.thegospelcoalition.org/product/9781837280544/compelled-paperback
Copyright 2025 by Vance E. Christie
