WHAT AN HONOR it is to pen these few words commending and recommending this book of hope and promise written by my dear friend Sammy Rodriguez. Sammy is a voice for this generation, and I have never heard him speak when I didn’t come away excited and filled with hope and expectation. This book is no different. It is real, raw, and honest, and the powerful truths Sammy unpacks will bring an entirely new perspective to the challenges life brings using real-life examples and the struggles we all face.
There is a reason he is the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), the organization recognized and identified by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, Fox News, CNN, and a number of additional media outlets as America’s largest and most influential Hispanic/Latino Christian organization with over forty thousand certified member churches in the United States and Latin America.
There is a reason he is asked to come and lend counsel and prayer to some of the most influential men and women in the world. There is a reason presidents seek his wisdom and pastors praise his impact and relevance in every kind of congregation and across denominational lines.
Beyond his ability to lead and provide timely counsel, I know of no other author or pastor that has the ability to paint a picture with words the way Sammy Rodriguez can. In You Are Next Sammy Rodriguez unpacks an amazing biblical story in a way that all Christians desperately need to hear. He shares powerful insights the Lord has given him for destroying the enemy’s plan to keep you sidelined. You’ll be encouraged to break free from the cycles that have kept you bound and to see your circumstances in a whole new way. Sammy is an encourager and an exhorter. He not only has the ability to lift your eyes up when you are down, but he also has that rare ability to lead you from the valley of despair and speak purpose and hope and passion into you for the victories that are to come.
I’m very excited Sammy has written this book, especially for the hour we are in. I believe the timing of its release is not an accident. I believe we’ve just entered a season in which God is pouring out more blessing, more favor, and more of Himself in our lives. Wouldn’t you like to have more of God’s presence in your life and in the lives of your children and grandchildren? God is pouring out more of Himself, and it’s your turn to receive. That is what I’m believing for your life, for your spouse, and for your children, and that is why I wholeheartedly recommend that you set aside the time to walk through the pages ahead.
In You Are Next God is setting before you a challenge to receive a better life, a holy life, a God-ordained life. You can stay in your complacent, “if-only” mentality, making excuses for your condition and depending on others to bring you to the edge of your miracle. Or you can stand up, put the devil in his place, live victoriously, dream courageously, live passionately, engage tenaciously, and live the powerful life you’ve been seeking! Are you ready? If so, then you are next!
—JENTEZEN FRANKLIN
SENIOR PASTOR, FREE CHAPEL
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR