By Dave Mast
While Berlin Mennonite pastor Bruce Hamsher may appear youthful as a pastor, his wisdom and insight into the world of relationships and discipleship are both inspirational and fresh in his new book, 'Bouquets: Intentional Relationships in Making Disciples.'
Hamsher's book came out on Feb. 7, from Herald Press, and is currently being sold for $11.99, and is designed for Sunday school classes, small groups and evangelical Christians.
Oddly, Hamsher said he never intended to write a book when he first began typing out his thoughts on relationships.
"I'm not a writer," said Hamsher. "This really began as an overflow of what I've been experiencing as a pastor over the last couple of years, and it's what God has been putting on my heart.
"There were times when I'd sit down and race through my typing just to get down what God was putting on my heart. It's been a blessing, that's for sure."
In his book, Hamsher encourages believers to develop intentional relationships with those outside of their personal circles as a way of planting seeds that can help bring lost souls to Christ.
While often times those doing the planting are never around to see the harvest, Hamsher writes that by patiently cultivating these relationships, we can live out the scriptural call to be "the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved" (2 Corinthians 2:15).
"So many times we see people hiding behind their excuses to develop relationships," said Hamsher. "I called it Bouquets because I've been to so many funerals, and when it is too late to develop relationships and share our faith, people give us these big bouquets. Why not offer these bouquets when we're alive and it means something more?
"We need to choose to live on purpose for His purpose."
Hamsher's book has already touched lives on many levels, receiving accolades for its forthrightness and sincerity, having been released across the U.S. and Canada.
Closer to home, Bouquets has found its way to Central Christian High School.
"Bruce Hamsher invites us to attentiveness in existing friendships and the seemingly routine daily encounters we have in our homes, workplaces, communities, social events, neighborhoods, and churches," said Henry Beun, of Central Christian.
"Bouquets provides a beginning point for us to assess our friendships in the opportunities we have to be God-incarnate. Hamsher calls us to be accountable while encouraging us to deepen our relationships to include faith in Jesus in our conversations. While seeming to state the obvious - many of us can attest to the power of friendships in our conversion and life of Christian discipleship - Hamsher provides fresh awareness of the command of Jesus to be salt and light!"
Hamsher has also made strides statewide, with the book receiving rave reviews from east to west.
"With an obvious pastoral perspective, Bruce Hamsher has creatively woven the bouquets theme throughout his text in a way that will be inspirational to his readers," said Randy Keeler, Bluffton University professor of religion. "This theologically sound and relevant resource is a welcome ministry tool for those who are about the task of discipling believers into a deeper relationship with Christ. I intend to recommend it highly to my ministry students."
The book has even transcended national borders, with Bouquets reaching as far as Canada.
"Bouquets is a beautiful biblical metaphor made contemporary," said August H. Konkel, president of Providence College and Seminary. "Daily relationships are the aroma people sense in every encounter. Is the aroma surrounding Christians that of the presence of God? In this delightful book, Bruce Hamsher observes ordinary folk in the Bible and shows how Christians must be the kind of fragrance these exemplified. Here are guides to make serendipitous relationships an intentional expression of divine mercy and love."
About the author: Bruce Hamsher is a pastor at Berlin Mennonite Church and a certified pastoral counselor. He is active in encouraging congregational outreach and holds ministry degrees from the Masters International School of Divinity, as well as a sociology degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Bruce lives in Sugarcreek with his wife, Jocelyn, and their three sons.
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