Kirk minister hopes book tour inspires ‘renewed sense of hope’ for the Church

Rev Tommy MacNeil, the minister of Martin's Memorial Church of Scotland, Stornoway, is embarking on a tour across five churches in Scotland this November to talk about his book, ‘Sleeping Giant'; "a call to the Church to awaken and arise".

The book, which was released in late 2021, was written in the hope it would communicate something of God's heart to God's people as the Church journeyed out of Covid-19 and the associated lockdowns.

"The book continues to do very well with us regularly receiving messages from people who have read it and found it helpful and encouraging," Tommy said.

"Over the last few months, I've been encouraged to do a book tour. I wasn't keen as I didn't want such a tour to be misinterpreted as a marketing exercise to sell more books. However, God has dealt with my heart on this issue, so I'm now planning a book tour for November.

"It's going to be a five-evening tour running from Monday 7 November until Friday 11 November. Each of the churches are very positive and excited about hosting an evening for the book tour.

"I've also secured a small worship team as it's crucial for me that the events are held in the context of worship."

As for Tommy's hopes for the tour, he said: "I'm becoming increasingly aware of just how much God's people are in need of encouragement and being built up in these days.

"There is such a sense of the need of people having a renewed sense of hope about the future. This will be a central focus and goal of the tour.

"In light of this, I'm calling it ‘The Sleeping Giant Blessing The Generations Book Tour'. I'm very keen that each evening has an all-age focus (from teens to seniors) so that young and old can be inspired and cheer one another on."

To encourage such wide engagement Tommy is delighted that SU (Scripture Union) Scotland and EA (Evangelical Alliance) Scotland are partnering with him on delivering the tour.

Join the book tour

All of the events in the Sleeping Giant book tour are free to attend and no booking is required, but you are advised to turn up early if you can as there is limited seating available in one or two of the venues. Refreshments will be provided afterwards.

Worship will be led by Sam Hibbard, Worship Leader at Sheddocksley Baptist Church, and Matthew MacNeil, Tommy's son, who is Worship Team Leader at Martin's Memorial.

St George's Tron, Buchanan Street, Glasgow
7 November at 7:30pm

Sheddocksley Baptist Church, Eday Walk, Aberdeen
8 November at 7:30pm

Trinity Church of the Nazarene, York Place, Perth
9 November at 7:30pm

Davidson's Mains Church of Scotland, 1 Quality Street, Edinburgh
10 November at 7:30pm

Inshes Church of Scotland, Inverness
11 November at 7:30pm

Purchase the Sleeping Giant book

Sleeping Giant is available to order on their dedicated website for £8.99 plus postage, where you can also find out more about the book. It can also be purchased at any of the book tour events.

There are also two specially discounted bulk-buy offers available:

• Buy 10 books and receive 15% off (RRP £100 plus postage) - £85 including postage.
• Buy 20 books and receive 20% off (RRP £200 plus postage) - £160 including postage.

For all enquiries about the book and the tour, please email admin@sleepinggiantbook.com