In 2020 I took advantage of the shutdowns and dug into some good books. In fact, the quarantine offered me an opportunity to read all the books required to get ordained with the United Pentecostal Church International. Below I’ll share my top ten favorite books that I read in 2020 in no particular order. I’d love for you to leave your favorites in the comments.

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
The books I’m listing today are in no particular order. However, by far, this was my favorite book of the year. Phil Knight is an amazing storyteller. Seriously, his world traveling adventures had me ready to pack my bags and venture off into the unknown. And, I never knew I could be so fascinated by tennis shoes.

1776 by David McCullough
I’m a student of history and David McCullough is a top sought after author. I recommend this book if you want to know more about the likes of George Washington, Nathaniel Green, and Henry Knox, as well as, the powerful story of the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Killing Jesus By Bill O’Reilly
Bill O’Reilly has topped my favorite authors list. His “Killing Series” is by far my top sought after books. I recommend all of them now. My favorites from his series is Killing the Rising Sun and Killing England. The only one I’m missing is Killing Crazy Horse and I plan on reading it in 2021.

Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis, Bing West
The world is chaotic right now with COVID and shutdowns. So, on my summer vacation I read this book to learn what former Secretary of Defense and four-star General Jim Mattis had to say about leading in a chaotic world. Another neat thing about this book is that I have a friend that I went to college with that served under Mattis and was able to give me his point of view of the great general.

With All Due Respect:defending america with grit and grace by Nikki R. Haley
If the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary were being held today I would more than likely vote for Nikki Haley. She’s my top choice so I was very interested in diving into her book. The book really took off for me when she got into her time serving in the UN under President Trump. She had no problem praising and criticizing the president which apparently he respected that of her.

I want to note that I’m a student of politics as well. I don’t read books from the just the right side of the aisle. I’m blazing through John Kerry’s Every Day is Extra right now (I really like it btw) and next is President Obama’s A Promised Land.

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham
As soon as the country shutdown I got this book and I couldn’t put it down. Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and it shows in this book. Thomas Jefferson is such a fascinating person who was passionate about most everything. The account of the British chasing down his family because he was the author of the Declaration of Independence had me on the edge of my seat.

The Book on Prayer: An invitation to an awakening by Ken Gurley
Pastor Ken Gurley is someone I highly respect. In 2020 I wanted to really go next level in my prayer life and this book has been a great companion. If you seek to be a prayerful person then I recommend this book.
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Prayer-Invitation-Awakening/dp/B087FGZ3FP

Discipled Together: Eight principles of discipleship by Brandon Lewis Cremeans
When I found out my friend, Rev. Brandon Cremeans, had wrote a book I was super excited for him. When I found out the topic was on discipleship I was even more excited to read it. My friend did not fail. Brandon reminds us that the best way to disciple folks for Christ is to simply share life experiences and encourage them to a life in Christ. I believe every Christian should read this book and that every pastor should get a copy for a young minister. Discipleship doesn’t have to be hard, but it does have to be intentional.
https://pentecostalpublishing.com/products/discipled-together

Brandon has a great podcast that you can check out called The Church Infix.

I Am: studies in the i am declaration of jesus christ by Nathan S. Whitley
Rev. Nate Whitley is another friend of mine who wrote a fantastic book this year on the seven declarations of Jesus Christ. In fact, Nate is not new to writing. I’ve used his book The Lost Art of Spiritual Disciples in sermons and teachings of my own. I Am won’t be any different because each chapter concludes with a study guide and discussion questions.
https://www.amazon.com/AM-Studies-Declarations-Jesus-Christ/dp/B08CWG63BW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Nate has a great podcast for ministers called Cut It Straight.

The Details Matter by Carlton L. Coon Sr.
Rev. Carlton Coon is a tremendous writer and leader. In fact, at this very moment I’m reading another book of his called The Science of Shepherding. The Details Matter is a practical guide to administration and was a required reading for me to get ordained. This is a tremendous resource for every leader to have.
https://pentecostalpublishing.com/products/the-details-matter