Dr Rachel Rajagopal’s book, Unashamed Servant-Leadership, was birthed from her personal background, secular work experience and Christian ministry involvement. Despite all odds, first as a female, then as an Indian growing up in a Hindu environment, and serving God as a female missionary in Asia, Africa, Latin America and beyond, the author has overcome numerous challenges to become one of Asia’s few women who dare to be different and are “unashamed” to be God’s leaders! What is most powerful in this book are the snapshots of ten women from different ethnic, social, educational, and single and marital backgrounds, from different countries, including the Middle East, all of whom have risen under different and difficult situations to take on leadership, and, in the process, blossomed and thrived as God’s servant-leaders. I trust that many will read this book and that the stories of these daughters of Asia will bless men and women, and give courage especially to Asian women to rise up and let God use them for his kingdom work and his greater glory.
Violet James, PhD
Chaplain, Singapore Bible College, Singapore
It is about time that we heard the voices of Asian Christian women servant-leaders. We need to understand, be increasingly aware of, and recognize their contribution in national, regional, and global leadership contexts.
This book is a must-read! It provides a comprehensive discussion and encourages the Asian Church to release and acknowledge the gifted women who serve alongside men servant-leaders.
Sierry Tendero, EdD
Adviser, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) Women’s Commission
Missions Director, Kamuning Bible Christian Fellowship, Quezon City, Philippines
If you are expecting Unashamed Servant-Leadership to provide pat answers to the perplexing problem of the lack of Asian Christian women in leadership, look elsewhere. Writing from an insider’s perspective, Rajagopal crafts a much-needed start to the discussion of inequality. The uniquely prepared author invites ten daughters of Asia, operating from a culture of shame, to unashamedly tell their real-life narratives of transformation and encouragement despite Christian leadership revolving around men. In the light of cultural, spiritual, familial, theological and other challenges inherent in Asian societies, the forum of female voices and the author’s insightful interpretations challenge the church to mobilize and activate Asian Christian women into servant-leadership. As the Majority World church continues to swell, Unashamed Servant-Leadership is an important addition to leadership and missional libraries.
Karen Hatley, PhD
Professor, Missional Leadership, Missional University, North Augusta, SC, USA
Author of Missionaries from Everywhere to Everywhere: A Delphi Study to Identify the Emerging Roles of US Missionaries in the Majority World
