Reviewed by Susanne Martin

This is the real life story of a young guy who prays to see people the way God sees them and so ends up in the heart of London's poorest and most dangerous communities. His journey takes him from schools with the worst reputation in the capital to starving families in poverty-stricken Ghana and violent gang warfare in Jamaica's Trenchtown. But, as he and his XLP team work hard to understand the local culture and earn respect they are able share the gospel and witness God soften the hardest of young hearts.

Coming from a white middle-class Christian home Patrick admits at being the most unlikely person to bring God's love and grace to the rough London estates where gang culture and violence is rife. However, his story is not only challenging and moving but also educational as a window into the harsh realities that the young people face. This book goes under the surface of what we see through the media and retells stories of children who are caught up in a cycle of insecurity and hopelessness. It demonstrates how getting involved and helping in the smallest ways can make an unspoken difference, giving optimism where there was none.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.