Church for the Fatherless: A Ministry Model for Society's Most Pressing Problem

"Fatherlessness is not a deadly disease, but is a nagging cough that won’t go away. If you want to train your church to reach, mentor and empower the fatherless teens in your youth ministry, this book is for you."

"Mark E. Strong boldly identifies the crisis of fatherlessness and provides practical actions the church can take to equip, mentor and respond to the needs of children without a father’s presence in their life."

"Dr. Mark Strong is a man of faith who is also firmly rooted in the real world. That makes him the perfect messenger. This book gets to the heart of an issue that remains one of the most challenging in our society. Dr. Strong’s book is uplifting and filled with hope. But it also fosters a conversation that needs to take place. To read his words is to have Dr. Strong sitting next to you and engaging you in a thoughtful discussion. That is a gift and a pleasure."

"Mark Strong is a true father and pastor. Over the years that I have known him, I have always admired his unique mix of strength and gentleness. The passion to protect and restore hurting people that is so evident is his ministry shines clearly through this book. I believe his call to the church to become fathers to the fatherless is as timely as it is powerful."

"More and more pastors deal with the reality of fatherlessness in our community. Mark Strong’s timely work presents honest and real insight that challenges the church to live into our calling to foster fatherhood to the fatherless. Strong offers practical and helpful ministry solutions for the important work of healing and redemption."

"What I found most compelling was Pastor Strong’s use of story. He invites you into the lives of real people and provides insight into how we can practically invest our lives in helping the fatherless--one child at a time. His book is hopeful, always resting on the work of the Holy Spirit empowering his people to be agents of love in this world."

"Fatherlessness has become an epidemic in America. The church needs to wake up to this crisis. In Church for the Fatherless, pastor-evangelist Mark Strong provides a how-to manual to help mobilize churches to stop the epidemic and mentor those devastated by this critical issue. . . . Mark shows how the faith-based community, working together, can provide hope to the fatherless."

"Pastor Strong lives and breathes in the trenches--among those in need, the least, the last, the lost. He does not write in abstracts or untested ideas. In an age of massive hype, Pastor Strong’s life matches his message, which makes him, in a word: extraordinary."

"If you are concerned about the fatherless culture in our communities and churches, you must read this book. This . . . is for those like me whose father was often gone and who suffered his absence, as well as my children who suffered the disconnectedness of their father after divorce--the broken hearts in our pews. We are everywhere. Mark Strong analyzes the need but gets very practical in his help for those whose lives are wounded by fatherlessness. This is a great book--I don’t know of another like it. It will make a difference in your ministry."

"The holistic gospel message calls the church to care for making people and communities whole in the power of the Spirit. In a society where fatherlessness is rampant, the church must bear the good news by fathering those without dads. Pastor Mark Strong is not simply noting the pressing problem of fatherlessness--he’s providing solutions. In our post-civil rights generation, I am greatly encouraged to find leaders like him spending themselves for the rights and needs of a generation without fathers. May this book inspire you and your church to join him in the struggle."