Church Forsaken - by Jonathan Brooks (Paperback)

About the Book

Raised on the south side of Chicago, Jonathan Brooks moved as far away as possible as soon as he could. But through unforeseen events he found himself not only back in Englewood but also serving as a pastor and community leader. In this book he challenges Christians to be fully present in their communities, helping local churches rediscover that loving our neighbors means loving our neighborhoods.

Book Synopsis

"There are no God-forsaken places, just church-forsaken places." --Jon Fuller, OMF InternationalJonathan Brooks was raised in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. As soon as he was able, he left the community and moved as far away as he could. But through a remarkable turn of events, he reluctantly returned and found himself not only back in Englewood but also serving as a pastor ("Pastah J") and community leader.In Church Forsaken, Brooks challenges local churches to rediscover that loving our neighbors means loving our neighborhoods. Unpacking the themes of Jeremiah 29, he shows how Christians can be fully present in local communities, building homes and planting gardens for the common good. His holistic vision and practical work offers good news for forgotten people and places. And community stakeholders and civic leaders will rediscover that churches are viable partners in community transformation in ways that they may never have considered. God has always been at work in neglected neighborhoods. Join Pastah J on this journey and discover new hope for your community.

Review Quotes

"Church Forsaken brilliantly demonstrates that we love God by loving our neighbor, and one of the primary ways we love our neighbor is by loving our neighborhood. This book is a bold dare to all followers of Jesus to (re)discover the scale of God's good news by becoming faithfully present within our parishes, not just as individuals, but as the body of Christ. Jonathan Brooks fosters a desire within me to be part of a real local church."

--Dwight J. Friesen, associate professor of practical theology at the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, author of Thy Kingdom Connected

"I don't know a more faithful, committed, and compassionate person when it comes to caring for one's neighborhood and truly living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jonathan is for the people--for the hearts and souls that make up a community. He calls all of us good church folk to fall in love with our neighborhoods and join in with the work of renewal that God is up to in communities. Church Forsaken is a call to remember who we are for and what's at stake when we forget each other."

--Rozella Haydée White, owner of Restoring Hearts to Wholeness LLC

"In Church Forsaken, Jonathan Brooks beautifully weaves the lessons he's learned on his journey as a pastor in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood with the instructions the Israelites are given while in exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 29). Brooks writes with raw and honest emotion about his journey as a pastor and father. The questions he raises about where and with whom get to the heart of the vision he sees for Christians and the local church. Filled with stories that draw the reader into Brooks's life and into the lives of his neighbors in Englewood, Church Forsaken offers a stirring invitation to practice presence, thereby opening opportunities for authentic transformation that have the power to change each one of us and the local church."

--Mackenzi Huyser, executive director of Chicago Semester, professor of social work at Trinity Christian College

"Jonathan Brooks ("Pastah J") is one of the most authentic, credible, and prophetic voices in the church today. Church Forsaken is a holy wake-up call for every Christian to not overlook the beauty in the brokenness around us. This book will have you looking for the glory of God in every place and person, including yourself."

--Shawn Casselberry, executive director of Mission Year, coauthor of Soul Force: Seven Pivots Toward Courage, Community, and Change

"Jonathan Brooks is a phenomenal pastor. In Church Forsaken, he weaves his story of deep pastoring experience with very practical and theological truths through his church and community ministry. Jonathan's personal story is powerful and has helped me be a better pastor. I loved reading this book and so will you."

--Wayne Gordon, founding pastor of Lawndale Community Church, chairman of CCDA

"Jonathan Brooks's voice and leadership are rooted in Scripture and grounded in his community. In Church Forsaken, the story of Jonathan's Englewood community in Chicago unfolds alongside the story of Jeremiah. Jonathan explores the connections between calling and community, activism and service, and the power in partnership. Let the words here convict you, challenge you, and call you home."

--Amena Brown, spoken-word poet, author of How to Fix a Broken Record

"Theology of place is one of the most critical foundations of community transformation. Pastor Jonathan Brooks outlines a biblical and practical approach to understanding the importance of location in the life of a church and Christian communities. The stories told, mistakes made, and victories won in this book are authentic and relevant. I have longed for a book with this level of integrity and wisdom on the topic of the church intentionally living in and with a community. No fronting or faking here. These examples and principles of solidarity and mutuality have transformed Pastor Jonathan's community; may they do the same for all who read and apply it."

--Sandra Maria Van Opstal, pastor, activist, author of The Next Worship

About the Author

Jonathan Brooks ("Pastah J") is senior pastor of Canaan Community Church in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. He has a master of divinity in Christian community development from Northern Seminary, was an art and architecture teacher with Chicago Public Schools, and is a recording artist with the hip-hop group Out-World. He and his family live in West Englewood.