This is the most recent offering from the well-known cleric who, during the Iraq war, served as rector of the only Anglican Church in Baghdad (Andrew and most of his church were forced to move to Jordan in 2014).

Living hell, living heaven

Andrew’s Iraqi congregation experienced the brutal reality of war, poverty, bloodshed, torture, terrorism, and extreme hatred. But in the midst of living hell, they were also privy to experiences of heaven – with repeated tokens of God’s protection, healing, deliverance and blessing. It is such accounts of supernatural favour that form the topic of this volume.

Stories are grouped together in chapters according to type. In an early chapter on ‘Prophetic Influences’, Andrew shares a prophecy given from American intercessor Ruth Ward Heflin – long before he sensed any calling to work in Iraq, Israel or Jordan – that he would indeed “be a carrier of God’s peace in the Middle East during a desperate time” (this account differs somewhat from that given in a previous book, leading one to question whether the author is occasionally rather liberal in testimonial detail).

Divine provision and human angels

Stories of ‘Sovereign Provision’ abound. One day a group of Islamists pillaged and destroyed all the Bibles belonging to his congregation, as well as some of their homes. Unaware of this, a businessman who manufactured solar-powered audio Bibles in both Arabic and English, approached Andrew a few days later, wondering if he could use any. Within a few weeks and to their great delight, every person in the Baghdad church had a solar-powered audio Bible, which they still use to this day.

Within a few weeks and to their great delight, every person in the Baghdad church had a solar-powered audio Bible, which they still use to this day.

One of the most memorable stories relates to an occasion when a man appeared out of nowhere while Andrew was going to the aid of a dying man in the centre of Bethlehem. Andrew had never seen the ‘mystery-man’ before, not did he ever again, but the help he offered was incredible and invaluable; with a level of awareness, insight, and aptitude superior even to that of the Israeli military. For these and other reasons shared, Andrew is utterly convinced his help-meet was an angel in human form.

More than miracles

But ‘Glory Zone’ isn’t just a collection of random miracle stories. Included at the close of each chapter is a moment of ‘Reflection’ and a prayer. Later chapters carry much inspirational teaching and Scripture quotes are plentiful. Of particular delight are the sections outlining Iraqi Christians’ hunger for God’s word and their love for worship. Worship time for Andrew’s congregation was adoration time – pure focus on Jesus. As such, angels were experienced during numerous worship occasions – seen by many at the same time.

Various ‘divine reversal’ accounts are shared, such as Saddam Hussein’s swimming pool being turned into a baptismal font where Andrew baptised numerous converts; or Hussein’s former torture room becoming the office of the Commission of Human Rights. The most significant ‘divine reversals’ were the several dramatic physical resurrections experienced. While most involved Christian families, some were Muslims who in desperation had chosen to reach out to Jesus.

The man in white

Perhaps the greatest ‘miracle’ witnessed in Baghdad was that of Muslims turning to Christ. Andrew personally saw 58 Muslims renounce their association with Islam and place their faith in Jesus, ten of whom were notorious terrorists. Yet not once did Andrew preach to Muslims or attempt to convert them (a treasonable act in the Islamic world). He simply ensured that they were valued and loved within the community, included in the relief programs, and welcomed in the clinic.

Every act of repentance resulted from a dramatic encounter with “the Man in white” – dreams and visions of Jesus appearing in blazing white garments, calling them by name and saying to them, “I am the way.”

Many of the miracle stories relate to children; their faith being unhindered by cynicism, rational analysis, and catalogues of negative experiences. Their hearts were also often more tender than that of adults; “I have not yet met one child who has said they cannot forgive”, Andrew shared.

When Jesus is all you have

I was concerned by Andrew's close links with the New Apostolic Reformation (“close friends″ John Arnott, Bill Johnson and Heidi Baker all endorse this book, and others linked with the movement crop up throughout its pages). Even the book title carries NAR connotations, as do one or two of Andrew’s ‘gold-dust’ testimonies (for example, is the side-story of former US Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld and other officials suddenly being covered in gold dust at the Pentagon in 2003 truly credible?) All of this means one needs to read with caution and discernment.

As Iraqi believers were well aware, “When everything has been taken from you, Jesus is all you have left. And when Jesus is all you have, you realize He is all you need.”

But what distinguishes this volume from so many titles on the supernatural is that it is grounded in reality. How could it be otherwise; Bibles were burned, children beheaded, people were burned alive in cages; family properties, businesses, vehicles, fields, and livestock were ravaged and destroyed. There’s no room for naïve triumphalism or charismatic bravado. As Iraqi believers were well aware, “When everything has been taken from you, Jesus is all you have left. And when Jesus is all you have, you realize He is all you need.”

Intimacy with Jesus

Ultimately, this book focuses more on God and on intimacy with Jesus than on miracles themselves. Andrew’s essential point is that for believers, there is a day of restoration and resurrection, and this reality must rule over all of life’s tensions and trials. We can live in the constant reality of the risen King despite the dramatic tension between pain and joy.

The afore-noted caveats notwithstanding, and ignoring the appalling back-cover blurb, this well-written pager-turner is truly inspiring and encouraging. I was genuinely blessed by it.

‘Glory Zone in the War Zone’ (232pp) is published by Destiny Image Publishers and is available from St Andrews Bookshop for £8.99 (plus p&p).