Compelled by Paul & Sarah Hastings (Paperback, July 2025) | 10Publishing Christian Biography (Paperback) by Paul Hastings and Sarah Hastings

Seven true stories of lives changed by God.

Compelled tells the seven incredible stories of ordinary people who met an extraordinary God. Although their lives are unique, they all came to a point where they found themselves asking questions about truth, God, and the gospel. Based on the hit podcast (Compelled), Paul and Sarah Hastings bring together real Christians to tell their remarkable stories and share how God is working in the world today.

Paul Hastings

Paul Hastings lives with his wife (Sarah Hastings) and four children near Austin, Texas, and attends Redemption Hill Church. As an entrepreneur, he's consulted extensively in the film, marketing and political arenas and is the Host of the Compelled Podcast. His work has been featured by Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk, Christianity Today, World Magazine, American Family Association, and The Gospel Coalition.

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Sarah Hastings

Sarah Hastings lives with her husband (Paul Hastings) and four children near Austin, Texas, and attends Redemption Hill Church. She is the Assistant Producer of the Compelled Podcast.

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"I love this book! The compelling stories of God’s intervention into unlikely lives inspired me, encouraged me, and motivated me to continue sharing His message of grace with others. Read this book and you’ll emerge ever more in love with Christ and ever more in awe of His desire to redeem wayward people. It’s a book of hope and promise, of unexpected encounters and transformed lives, of Divine appointments and extraordinary outcomes. Let God use it to soften your heart toward Him and others."

- Lee Strobel, Best-selling Author of The Case for Christ

"'Irresistible grace’ is a theological expression high on the ladder of abstraction, but Compelled makes the reality clear with seven stories that many readers will find irresistible."

- Marvin Olasky, Executive Editor of News & Global, Christianity Today

"Compelled is a gripping, powerful, faith-inspiring page-turner that showcases how God uses all things, no matter how hopeless they may seem, for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

- Ginger Hubbard, Bestselling Author of Don’t Make Me Count to Three

"There’s nothing like stories of God’s transforming power at work to inspire, encourage, and challenge us! In Compelled, Paul and Sarah Hastings have gathered a thrilling collection of real-life testimonies that showcase the redeeming work of Jesus. These incredible stories and be reminded that no situation is too tough, no life too broken, for His grace to redeem and restore."

- Andy Bannister, Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity (Scotland)

"Paul Hastings is a great storyteller. More to the point, he draws great stories out of people. Compelled is a monument to the truth that you have never met a mere mortal: every human story is a story of eternal consequence."

- Jonathan Rogers, Host of The Habit Podcast, Author of The Terrible Speed of Mercy and The Wilderking Trilogy

"Compelled is a quick read that will fuel your love for Christ and inspire you to live a life worthy of the gospel. The stories in Compelled remind us that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to transform everything and everyone, including us."

- Trish Donohue, Author of Between Us Girls and You Are Welcomed, Director of Women's Ministry at Covenant Fellowship Church

Overall rating

4.8 based on 9 reviews

Powerful

Compelled is an easy-to-read collection of powerful, up-to-date testimonies.

Judith Mayo

Compelling Read

A compelling read but very American in style and content - looking at issues relevant for 2025 - would probably be music to the ears of a traditional conservative evangelical in USA but might not scratch where it itches for a British Christian who has had a more liberal background. All the testimonies are from folk in America therefore a British Christian might feel this has not been written for me. Having said that we believe in the God who created the whole world and universe, so a testimony remains a testimony wherever the author lives.

Ian Tweedie-Smith

Great for Christians and Non Christians to read

Seven incredible stories of God stepping into people's lives and completely transforming them. From a drug dealer, abortion clinic owner and transgender man who found hope and faith in Jesus, to stories of Christians who experienced extreme circumstances (including my own worse nightmare, being accused of a crime you cannot prove you didn't commit). The inclusion of The Double Life added a different dimension, showing that Christians also mess up, and how they can still find forgiveness and transformation, no one is too far gone. These stories give a glimpse into how God not only brings people to Himself and heals and restores them, but how those who follow Him find hope, strength and purpose when they trust in all circumstances. It definitely made me want to go listen to some of the podcast episodes, and I know when I've read a good book when I suddenly start telling people parts of the stories, which I have done since reading it!

Bethan Lycett, Marketing Assistant

Inspiring and Challenging

The 7 stories felt real, authentic and demonstrated the uniqueness of every souls relationship with Jesus. Each story was inspirational as the Holy Spirit touched my heart as I realised how God's grace and mercy caused the transformation of the lives of these people all made in God's image. The challenges each of them faced also encouraged me in my own journey of faith to have the confidence and trust in the saving power of Jesus in all circumstances.

Paul

Highly Recommend

This book is worth a read and passing on to a friend. We bought 100 copies and gave each member of a team a copy. The 7 stories are all individual but tackles big issues. We are encouraged to compel people to Christ and this book will help you do it. No one is too far from the Grace of God. This book is an easy read and won't take long at all to read. It has also encouraged me to listen to the podcast.

Steven

Fantastic

Absolutely fantastic. Seven testimonies from people with drastically different life experiences, but whose lives were all changed by the same God. Each chapter is the perfect length - I was gripped and encouraged throughout.

Lydia

Wonderful stories of how God is still clearly at work!

These real life stories are truly compelling, as the title suggests! Each one is a very relevant, accessible and inspiring example of how God is still wonderfully at work in our messy, sin-stained lives. It's a wonderful reminder of how God so often meets us where we're at and pulls us out of darkness into his glorious, life-giving light. A fantastic book for Christians and non-Christians alike!

Rachael, Marketing Assistant at 10ofthose

Amazing grace!

Definitely the right title for this book! I found it compelling to read. The stories of people who were in danger, despair, discouraged, desperate ….. situations that could only be described as hopeless in the world’s eyes ….. were transformed by the grace of God as they cried out to Him and sought after Him as their situations demanded. Such an inspiring and encouraging book! Faith building and a reminder of our wonderful God who meets us in the midst of all that life is. I heartily recommend it as a must read along with listening to the podcasts.

Dianne

Compelling and Powerful!

These seven stories of individual's lives transformed by encounters with God was moving and encouraging. I found myself motivated to pray more boldly and expectantly as I read about God's powerful work! This would be a great book to give to a friend who is curious about the Lord or who is having trouble believing in God's work in the world today.