Take Your Best Shot
Do Something Bigger Than Yourself
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Tommy Nelson (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2009
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Publisher's Description
Discover how you can respond to God's call in your own life, whether it's in your own town or on the other side of the world. Teen Austin Gutwein has taken his best shot several thousand times to help AIDS orphans in Africa and in the process has built a school and a medical clinic! Take Your Best Shot tells how one boy made an incredible difference in the lives of those without hope while challenging the reader to do the same. The interactive dialogue will leave space for the reader to respond. By the end of the book, the reader will know the testimony of Austin and other teens from around the world who are committed to a life of sharing Christ’s love, and will have begun to search for God’s voice in their own lives. The book will also equip and challenge readers with information on a variety of ministries and organizations around the world to help people, animals, and the environment. “Austin is an outstanding young man! He inspires us to dream bigger, reach higher and love deeper. His story deserves a wide hearing.” Max Lucado “I am very impressed with Austin Gutwein’s story in Take Your Best Shot. This book is filled with words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope. It’s guaranteed to motivate you into action.” Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic “I spent a day with Austin and his family and found them inspiring. His story, I believe, challenges us all. The first thing I thought as I drove to the airport was: What was I doing when I was twelve? And then, of course, the next thought: What, exactly, am I doing now?” John Larson, Former NBC National Correspondent “When people ask me how they can possibly make a difference fighting a problem as big as ‘global poverty’, I tell them about a boy named Austin who, like David, stared Goliath in the eye without flinching. This young man has done more to make a difference in the lives of children orphaned by AIDS than most American churches, let alone individuals. If you are older than 10 and you haven’t yet done your part to change the world, read Take Your Best Shot and be inspired. Austin Gutwein shows us the way”. Richard Stearns, President, World Vision US, Author of The Hole in Our Gospel “When people ask who has most impacted me over the last year, without hesitation I can say Austin Gutwein and the story of Hoops of Hope. I am around amazing leaders all the time, and Austin rivals all of them. Austin is my friend. And Austin is one of my heroes. You can’t be around Austin or the amazing work of Hoops of Hope without being deeply impacted and inspired. Trust me. Do yourself a favor and read this book and the incredible story. But once you do, be prepared to be changed and challenged. You’ll see the world and your significant role in helping those less fortunate in an amazingly fresh way.” Brad Lomenick, Executive Director, Catalyst “Austin’s story is one of modern day heroism. He represents a new generation that can carry us all into the twenty-first century: a world of hope, peace and selfless love. Austin completely inspires me.” Daniel Biro, Hawk Nelson
Endorsements (11)
“Austin is an outstanding young man! He inspires us to dream bigger, reach higher, and love deeper. His story deserves a wide hearing.”
“Austin Gutwein inspires me and makes me want to believe God for miracles! His life demonstrates the truth that God uses ordinary people to do His extraordinary work. I’m proud to call him my friend.”
“I am very impressed with Austin Gutwein’s story in Take Your Best Shot. This book is filled with words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope. It’s guaranteed to motivate you into action.”
“When people ask me how they can possibly make a difference fighting a problem as big as ‘global poverty,’ I tell them about a boy named Austin who, like David, stared Goliath in the eye without flinching. This young man has done more to make a difference in the lives of children orphaned by AIDS than most American churches, let alone individuals. If you are older than 10 and you haven’t yet done your part to change the world, read Take Your Best Shot and be inspired. Austin Gutwein shows us the way.”
“I spent a day with Austin and his family and found them inspiring. His story, I believe, challenges us all. The first thing I thought as I drove to the airport was, What was I doing when I was twelve? And then, of course, the next thought: What, exactly, am I doing now?”
“Every time I’m with this young man I want to say to him, ‘Okay, Austin . . . let’s you and I go out and conquer the world for Christ.’ That’s the way he makes me feel. His ideas and dreams are already changing the face of an African nation . . . and he’s only fifteen, for goodness’ sake! With focused vision and dedication of heart, the encouragement of his parents, and the Spirit of God, Austin Gutwein is a ‘one-kid-army’ of hope. I love this guy. And I love his book. It’s an absolute joy to read. Check it out for yourself.”
“When people ask who has most impacted me over the last year, without hesitation I can say Austin Gutwein and the story of Hoops of Hope. I am around amazing leaders all the time, and Austin rivals all of them. Austin is my friend. And Austin is one of my heroes. At fifteen he has had more impact than most of us will ever have in our entire lives. I love the work of Hoops of Hope. You can’t be around Austin, or the amazing work of Hoops of Hope, without being deeply impacted and inspired. Trust me. Do yourself a favor and read this book and the incredible story. But once you do, be prepared to be changed and challenged. You’ll see the world and your significant role in helping those less fortunate in an amazingly fresh way.”
“Austin’s story is one of modern-day heroism. He represents a new generation that can carry us all into the twenty-first century . . . a world of hope, peace, and selfless love. Austin completely inspires me.”
“We commend Austin for his example and testimony. His heart for orphans and desire to move his generation to action are an inspiration. We can’t wait to see how God will use him and his message as he continues to ‘do hard things’ for him.”
“All of us have met someone who truly inspires us; few of us have met someone who does so as young as Austin Gutwein. This young man and his story are simply remarkable. On his way to changing the world, he has changed our church, and he has changed me. Get ready to see what happens when youthfulness and creativity intersects vision and passion.”
“Austin Gutwein is living proof that teenagers aren’t the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today! I have been a youth pastor for over twenty years, and the entire time I have been telling students that God is in the business of using young people to make a difference. In this book, Austin shares his incredible story and shows us an example of what God can do through teenagers who are willing to take their best shot.”
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