Urgent: Igniting a Passion for Jesus
Joe Donahue
Free Church Press, 2011, 104 pp., $11.95
ISBN 978-0982656112
Urgent is author Joe Donahue’s story of growing up with a verbally and sexually abusive father spurred on by a quick temper and severe alcoholism. Joe Donahue’s childhood was filled with loneliness, hurt, and lots of covering up. He witnessed his father rape his mom, went through the hurt of his parents’ divorce, lived in a YWCA shelter, and spent three months in a psychiatric hospital. In 1991, at the age of eighteen, Joe trusted Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior. Weaving stories of his traumatic childhood with the burning message of the Gospel, Joe Donahue’s story of redemption and restoration will resonate deep within the heart of every person.
“I use stories from my childhood of abuse, the Scriptures, and stories from my life in Christ to spur readers on to share the Gospel,” Donahue says.
What Christian leaders are saying about Urgent:
“The way that God is using Joe Donahue is simply stunning. Joe is living proof of the redeeming power of Jesus to take even what the enemy means for evil and turn it for our good, and for his glory” — Aaron Keyes, Worship Pastor and Musical Artist
“Joe’s personal story is a riveting, compelling, and honest look the life a lot of teens today find themselves living in today. Joe’s story tells how anyone can come from the depths of dysfunctional family to successful fruitful, fulfilling life through finding God’s will for them through Jesus Christ.” — Doug Couch, Youth Ministry Specialist, Georgia Baptist Convention
“Every shortfall in the American church can be traced back to the caricature we have made of Jesus. But the sovereign Father has a plan. He is raising up certain leaders to place before the church a biblical view of His majestic Son—who sits enthroned as the King of Glory. Joe Donahue is one of those people. Like the double helix of the DNA molecule, he creatively weaves together riveting personal experiences and Bible exposition. Pardon the cliché, but from the first paragraph I could not put the book down. I strongly recommend it.” — Richard Ross, PhD, professor of student ministry, Southwestern Seminary
“After reading Joe Donahue’s book, Urgent I am convinced now more than ever that he has a powerful and vital message for today’s culture. Each time I hear Joe’s testimony, I am amazed at what God has done for him and am reminded that God’s wonderful grace is available for us too. Buy a copy of Urgent today. No, buy several copies and share them with your family and friends. You’ll be glad you did!” — Dr. Richard G. Lee, Senior Pastor, First Redeemer Church
“The story of Joe Donahue is not just inspirational, it is convicting. Every pastor needs to sit down with a copy of Joe’s story and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart about an issue that has become trivialized in the church today.” — Dr. Mac Brunson, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
