There are flashes of startling beauty along the Silk Road—the golden glow of a sunset illuminating the cliffs above Bamian; the languid movements of a Uighur dancer; the lush green of tea fields on the slopes of the Caspian Sea.

But there is also brokenness: Poverty, corruption, authoritarian governments, alcoholism and domestic abuse. Central Asians are no strangers to suffering, yet they often bear it with remarkable grace. That grace fills the stories and photography on the pages of Along the Silk Road.

A number of Christian writers, photographers and videographers traveled several segments of the old Silk Road routes, visiting modern cities and ancient sites, interviewing Christians and Muslims. Recognizing that people in the West often have no idea of what Central Asian life is like—or a negative impression due to present conflict in Afghanistan and tensions with Iran—their stories and images present a gentler, more reflective picture of ancient peoples living in a modern world.

The focus of this book is the lives of ordinary people wrestling to understand their place in societies jolted into the 21st century.

172-pages filled with more than 200 full-color photographs, $14.99
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STUDY GUIDE: A JOURNEY THROUGH SCRIPTURE

There are a number of issues and themes raised in Along the Silk Road that beg to be considered in more depth. This study looks at six of these issues through the lens of Scripture. Consider using this six-week study in the context of a small group Bible study or home group, or even as a personal devotional.

Download a PDF of A JOURNEY THROUGH SCRIPTURE now

WEEK ONE

Defining the Task—Whose people, whose mission?

WEEK TWO

Seeing Beyond Stereotypes—Can we learn to love Muslims?

WEEK THREE

Sound, Biblical, Contextual—What kind of churches are we planting?

WEEK FOUR

Counting It All Joy—How should Christians respond in the face of suffering and persecution?

WEEK FIVE

Our True Adversary—What resources do we have to respond to spiritual warfare?

WEEK SIX

Creative Access—Does business have a place alongside mission?

PRAISE FOR Along the Silk Road

“Along the Silk Road will inspire and challenge you. The photography is stunning and the stories will move you to pray more fervently for the nations. Read and be blessed. Read and be convicted.”
—Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“The beauty in these pages is stunning. I wept my way through them, coming out with a renewed passion and sharpened vision to do all that we can to engage these peoples with the Gospel. This book renewed in me a passion to dream great things for God.”
—J.D. Greear, Pastor of Summit Church, NC

“This book left me speechless. It contains a wealth of information—both historical and cultural. It will lead you to pray with clarity and specificity for those who live along the Silk Road. This is one tool that every kingdom citizen must have. I hope it is your constant prayer companion.”
—Ken Hemphill, Author and National Strategist for Empowering Kingdom Growth

“A picture truly is worth a thousand words. In Along the Silk Road we look into the eyes of people whose life experience is very different from our own. It is hard to look away—such views change us. These pictures will speak to you about the need for words of grace and peace to be spoken among the people of the Silk Road.”
—Ed Stetzer, President of LifeWay Research