I Was Hungry

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

David Beckmann

“An urgent, biblically grounded summons to Christians to end the tragedy of contemporary poverty in America. Everett uses gripping personal stories to show both the wrenching agony of that poverty and also how it is quite possible to dramatically reduce it. Biblical. Factual. Practical. Engaging.”

Ronald J. Sider

“I watched Everett emerge as a force for change for the poor and hungry in my own community. Everett understands the importance of systemic change, solidarity among disparate voices, and power from below that challenges superficial ideals from above for confronting one of America’s most heinous social issues. Now, years later, I have the joy of walking alongside this prophetic voice who is making a difference for the hungry of our neighborhood and nation.”

Jimmy Dorrell

“We need this book! There are good books telling us why Christians should serve the poor, but they often leave one asking, ‘How?’ And there are good books that tell how a person or ministry has served the poor, but one wonders, ‘Would that really work in my community?’ In I Was Hungry, we learn how to actually serve the poor by seeing how serious Christians are doing just that in their own contexts.”

Todd L. Lake

“There is a considerable difference between being aware of our neighbors’ needs and taking practical action to meet our neighbors’ needs. Everett has devoted himself to bridging the gap through his leadership with the Texas Hunger Initiative, his own personal acts of service, and now through his words in I Was Hungry. For those wanting to participate in the daily service of praying ‘on earth as it is in heaven,’ I Was Hungry is a good place to begin.”

Andrew Greer

“Everett makes us see that ‘other America’ made up of needy people that is often invisible to those of us who live in our so-called affluent society. More important, he explains and demonstrates from his own experiences what we can do to minister to those who live there, whom Jesus called ‘the least of these.’ This book challenges us to act.”

Tony Campolo

“Confronted with America’s hunger disaster—and its cultural, institutional, and spiritual causes—Everett asked, ‘How can I help?’ The Texas Hunger Initiative (THI) became his answer. I Was Hungry tells this remarkable story as well as the story of the gospel remarkably working its way through the world. Readers of this terrific book will find themselves asking, ‘How can I help?”

Jonathan Tran

“In this book, which is full of practical wisdom and insight, Everett shares what it looks like not only to address hunger but also for Christians to partner together with their neighbors for the common good. Anyone who is interested in loving their neighbor, in feeding the hungry, and in being the church in and for the world should read this book. Everett is one of my heroes, and the stories and insights here capture much of why this is true.”

Myles Werntz

“By the end of this book, readers will understand that they have a mentor and colleague in Jeremy who will help guide their own efforts to make their communities hunger free, as well as a friend who will help them guide their own personal spiritual journeys for a more just world.”

Tony P. Hall

“I Was Hungry is a beautiful account of what our country needs more of: strong commitment to the common good, all through the lens of love. The pages are filled with enthralling stories that bring to life the realities of those struggling with food insecurity and poverty. It is God’s voice that I hear throughout this poignant book. Hunger and poverty are problems we can make a serious dent in, and Jeremy helps us see how our mental models, perspective on God’s rich abundance in our world, and a ‘with, not for’ plan of action can move us toward this goal as a nation.”

Heather Reynolds

“Everett is one of the most talented people I have ever worked with and one of the finest people I know. He is also one of the country’s leading experts on reducing food insecurity. This book is Everett at his best: drawing on his wealth of knowledge and experience, telling stories, and bringing people together to reduce hunger and poverty.”

Victor J. Hinojosa

“Everett does more than preach about the spiritual values our country so desperately needs—he lives them. On every single page, the honesty and authenticity with which he shares his journey yields inspiration for living a life that matters.”

Billy Shore