Steal Away Home
By Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey
Steal Away Home is a book telling the story of an enslaved man in Virginia and his correspondence with an Englishman desiring to serve Christ and love his fellow man. One became an African American Missionary, and the other became the “Prince of Preachers”. This book was written by two pastors from the Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas. It was completed through mounds of historical research, set in the 1800’s and upon reading it has become a story untold in its own day and age, but necessary for the present-day. Through Carter and Ivey’s writing, we learn about how slavery impacted the church, the United States, and friends come together in the mind of an English Christian staunchly against the practice of slavery. This book is fairly new (published in 2017) but I feel the 294 pages compel it’s reader to become more aware and educated on American History, in order to speak out for racial justice today. I think the greatest takeaway from the book was the honesty bore from true gospel-driven friendship. When Christ-followers learn they are part of the body, and part of that body is hurting, it shapes their action and love for people in a huge way. You will not regret buying and reading this book. Great for group reading too!