Do Not Be Afraid is a welcome contribution to a growing body of work that invites the United Methodist Church to claim a “future of hope.” This collection of essays and short witnesses from voices that are newer and fresher as well as those that are more seasoned reflect a wide landscape and truly diverse contexts of ministry practice and leadership. The clarion call to “fear not” does not ignore the reality the United Methodist Church faces in the progressive 21st century. This book offers a lot of truth-telling and naming of current reality and proceeds without apology or hesitation to point out to the many, many ways that God is at work through the Church doing what God does: “making a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). Edited by John E. Harnish