"Michael Andrews' fine book knows how to put first things recognizably first. Influence is about witness, not words, and the imitation of Christ is to fully embrace love as the architecture of our hearts. This book helps us take seriously what Jesus took seriously. You will be fortified by this journey."

Christian faith is a way of life--a way of being in the world together that enables all of us to thrive and to flourish. Michael Andrews' splendid book, The Influential Christian: Learning to Lead from the Heart, is a rich and wise description of the many ways Christians can learn this way of life and participate in it. I commend it heartily! I also encourage readers to gather with one another in their congregations, study groups, homes and work-places to draw upon its wisdom and to practice the kind of life together to which it calls us. It will enrich your lives greatly.

Dr. Mike Andrews offers an insightful leadership tool with this book. Leadership is influence, and Mike has written a comprehensive, yet pragmatic guide to assist in understanding how Christian influence is lived out in our lives as well as its impact on others. I highly recommend adding it to your library.

Grounded in Christian spirituality, this book brings inspiration to everyone who wants to have influence. It invites us to be truly and empathetically present with others, to reflect deeply and passionately, and to live and act from our hearts. These notions are elaborated with much care and depth, both theoretically and practically. The messages that this book conveys are both timeless and urgent and have important implications for teachers and coaches/mentors.

In this biblically rooted, highly practical guide, Michael Andrews offers a clear and helpful way for followers of Jesus to develop a lasting, transformative influence grounded in empathy and the way of love.

In The Influential Christian, Mike Andrews takes us on a journey in leadership and learning, by asking whether we would like to have an influence on other people. In guiding us to answer the question for ourselves, Mike explores the multifaceted virtue of empathy, by showing how influence is formed through practices that allow us to grow both internally and in our relationships with others. As members of Christian communities, Mike calls on us to learn from Jesus, the ultimate exemplar of empathy, as we grow from his divine influence on us and manifest that influence on others. This is a provocative read.

Michael Andrews understands the peculiar character of leadership in Christ's name. This book shows an experienced Christian educator's wisdom at work and gives practical guidance for how we can better influence fellow Christians for more faithful participation in Christ's mission.

Mike Andrews has written an important book on a crucial topic: leading from the heart to the heart of others for the sake of faithful Christian education and formation. Too often we think of educating people as if they are "brains on sticks" - here Mike shows beautifully the power of spiritual and emotional development and human connection for education, formation, and leadership. A wise and insightful book!

Thanks to Michael Andrews who gave us The Influential Christian. It supports readers who want to build impactful and helpful behavior in themselves and others. Michael did his homework in gathering and weaving together stories from notable leaders, great ideas, and Scripture passages into a resource that is a pleasure to read and can transform us from the inside. This book is so loaded, one time through won't do it. It's a read-and-reflect-on-bite-sized-chunks resource for learning the most important life skills. His teaching can help with what my favorite psychiatrist suggests as a primary goal in life, 'to be the kind of people in whose presence good things happen.

The older I get as a minister and a man, the less enamored I become with the career-building and name-making 'resume virtues, ' and the more enamored I become with the 'eulogy virtues.' These are the virtues we hope people will remember at our funerals such as love, kindness, generosity, approachability, and the like. With this hope in mind, my own daily prayer is that God will grant me character that exceeds my abilities, and humility that exceeds my influence. I am thankful for this wonderful book that Michael has written, which serves as a compelling road map for how to get there.

The Influential Christian is a wonderful book filled with stories and wisdom gleamed by the author from leading theorists and practitioners from around the world. Michael Andrews has woven a wide array of quotes from the Bible and Christian leaders that clearly show how one can lead from the heart. His insights and guidelines on empathy are superb. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a calling to truly and deeply care and support others.

What a refreshing study about how to become a more influential person! With solid research and winsome sensitivity, Mike Andrews emphasizes the value of empathy at a time when this virtue is sorely needed. This book will make you a more faithful leader and, more importantly, a more caring, Christ-like person.

When it comes to matters of the heart, there is no better guide than The Influential Christian. Mike Andrews' modern take on Christian teaching presents an empathic approach to developing seekers in the faith. In a precisely developed narrative, this book unlocks ways to develop meaningful connections with Christ, from a place deep in the heart, through generous, persistent, and influential love.