Includes bibliographical references (p. [215]-249).

Introduction -- Antony of Egypt : pursuing holiness and living powerfully -- Gregory the Great : discerning hearts and finding balance -- Dante Alighieri : loving the universe and saving our souls -- Margery Kempe : weeping over Jesus' body and praying his heart -- John Amos Comenius : learning diversity and teaching peace -- John Newton : proclaiming grace and uniting the church -- Charles Simeon : overcoming wounds and shaping leaders -- Amanda Berry Smith : standing tall and breaking down barriers -- Charles M. Sheldon : knowing our neighbors and serving them well -- Dorothy L. Sayers : keeping it real and waking the church -- Conclusion: A postmodern challenge from Dante via Sayers.

A professor of church history, Armstrong provides rich portraits of ten people from the past who: translated the gospel for their own times; broke down barriers; ministered out of the brokenness we all share; knew what it feels like to live on the margins; believed in the power of stories to bring transformation through Christ. --from publisher description