In the holds of slave ships, Africans brought with them a hope for liberation, a strong oral tradition, and a sense of connectedness between their spiritual and physical lives. When Blacks converted to Christianity, these characteristics contributed to a Christian community that was, and is, distinctly different than the White church. In Breaking Down Barriers, Dwight Perry provides a brief history of the Black church in America and shows how it has survived as a shelter from a hostile world. He offers an introduction to Black evangelicalism, placing it in the context of both the traditional Black church and White evangelicalism. "The entity at the heart of the Black community in America is the Black church," writes Perry. "It has made its strong imprint not only on the Black community, but on the whole of society." Perry also provides a portrait of today's Black evangelical movement as well as ideas for multiracial ministry in the twenty-first century and beyond. Breaking Down Barriers helps Black and White Christians understand the African American church, enabling them to do away with misconceptions and build a new future together. (Originally published 1998 by Baker Book House, reprinted by permission.)

Good ministries fail. Churches, megachurches, parachurch organizations, and whole denominations can find themselves in crisis or decline even though they are doctrinally sound, spiritually energetic, and divinely commissioned. Or sometimes they plateau. Like the airliner that loses its engines at 35,000 feet, the passengers may be unaware that anything is wrong. But the pilot knows. Something needs to be done very soon, or the flight will come to an unscheduled and unpleasant conclusion. Leaders need to do more than just steer the ship. Though the waters may seem smooth, they need to see the iceberg ahead shrouded in fog. When they do, they need to reverse their engines and rescue their people from calamity. Whether you are a pastor of a local church, a mission's executive, a denominational leader, or a lay leader on a church or parachurch board, this book was written for you. It does not give you an easy three-step solution to your ministry's crisis or decline. Instead, it will equip you with the tools you need to assess your organization's health and determine the appropriate steps needed to bring renewal and revival. Here's what people are saying about Turnaround: Biblical. Relevant. Helpful. Dr. Dwight Perry has given leaders everywhere a resource that delivers. Forged from personal experience and filled with true stories, this book provides a roadmap for turning around a ministry in trouble. A valuable resource in any leader's library. Greg Thornton Sr. Vice President, Media Moody Bible Institute Dr. Dwight Perry answers an often asked question: Is the capacity to be a turnaround leader innate, or can it be taught? Dr. Perry is not only a turnaround leader himself - he is mentor and teacher for those who are willing to learn. ... He builds his leadership model on the firm foundation of biblical conviction and godly character, and then provides a floor to ceiling structure of wise and practical insights. Clear, concise and reproducible, his book covers the expansive terrain of leading organizational change. Dr. Jerry Sheveland President and CEO Converge Worldwide With 70-85% of churches in America that have either plateaued or are in decline, Dr. Dwight Perry in his book, Turnaround ... has a way of addressing the decline from an organizational leadership perspective. Dr Perry has a unique way of marrying good biblical exegesis with a profound practical understanding and practical applications. ... A great book to the body of Christ. Pastor Michael L. Henderson New Beginnings Community Church Charlotte, North Carolina Dr. Dwight Perry has a passion for making ministries work. Richly illustrated by his own experience, Turnaround, is filled with practical, biblically-rooted, God-focused advice on taking your ministry from struggling to significant. You'll be challenged to assess honestly, face into weaknesses, build on strengths, and work under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to turn your ministry around. Because Dr. Perry has done it, you know that you are getting not only good theory; you are getting leadership lessons from the trenches. Jay Barnes President Bethel University