The wave of refugees that started moving to the shores of Europe in 2011 and by 2015 reached flood levels in Germany has changed the churches there. At least, those churches that allowed the flood waters to enter their congregations. As many Christians responded with love and mercy to the refugees and many churches opened their hearts and doors to the strangers, they dared to walk into unknown waters. Suddenly many congregations faced challenges and frustrations nobody could have anticipated, and encountered changes and fears never experienced before. It has also become a new day for the church in Europe. In this book the author speaks from a biblical theology: "God loves the stranger! He told the Israelites to care for the stranger in their midst as if he were an Israelite. He himself became a stranger amongst us to make us citizens of heaven so that, in turn, we would lead strangers amongst us to Him to embrace their true citizenship in Christ."In 2011 Stephen Beck launched a church in Frankfurt, Germany that was swept up in the ensuing refugee wave. Through his experience with the Mosaik Church, and through the experience of many other churches in Europe, he tells us what happens when churches begin to move with God's wave. You will read almost unbelievable stories of God's work with people who walked the refugee trail and what happens when Christians reach out to them and welcome them into their homes and churches. The author takes us through various aspects of the church's ministry and mission, such as evangelism, worship, community life, conversion and baptism, and gives us practical how-to's when Muslims suddenly show up in church and God's people welcome them with open arms and godly courage: a movement.

Prizewinning historian Garry Wills argues that changes have been the evidence of life in the Catholic Church. It has often changed, sometimes with unwanted consequences, more often with good. In this brilliant and incisive study, he gives seven examples of deep and serious change that have taken place (or is taking place) within the last century. As Wills contends, it is only by examining the history of the Church that we can understand Pope Francis's and the Church's challenges.

Lithe of build, graceful of tongue and carriage, dark, piercing eyes, and facial features cast from a prince of the underworld, Alexander Herrmann embodied the word "magician." His persona permeated the popular culture of his day, and his image still holds power in our present societal subconscious as the archetypal conjurer. A mesmeric personality both on and off the stage, he was ever the theatrical magician, ever the exhibitor of his craft. The book is intended to be a journey of Herrmann through the lens of his audience, as projected through the newsprint of the day. It does not seek to delve behind the scenes, but to hopefully paint a picture on the canvas of the goal of his craft - mystifying vast audiences of theatrical patrons. A fascinating progression of Herrmann's art and influence, as well as a glimpse of the ubiquitous theater and its value in bygone American culture.