I've been spending time lately with some very small books that carry very big ideas.

One of them is Christian Maturity by E. Stanley Jones—a slim, pocket-sized volume written many decades ago. It may be small enough to fit in your coat pocket, but don't let that fool you. Inside is more wisdom than you'll find in many modern books stacked three deep on a bestseller shelf.

That little book—and others like it—reminded me why the Stanley Jones Radio School exists in the first place.

A Small Book with a Big Diagnosis

Stanley Jones once wrote words that feel almost unsettlingly current:

"We are very immature people attempting to handle very mature problems."

He said that years ago—when the atomic age was just beginning—but it could have been written this morning. Our problems are growing faster than our capacity to handle them. Technology is powerful. Information is abundant. But maturity? That's in short supply.

Jones believed the deepest crisis of any age is not a lack of intelligence, resources, or innovation—but a lack of inner growth. We grow older, yes. But not all of us grow up.

Why Old Books Still Speak

I'll confess something: I often buy used copies of Stanley Jones' books.

Not because they're cheaper (though sometimes they are), but because I love seeing what previous readers underlined, circled, and scribbled in the margins. Those marks tell a second story—the story of how truth landed in another human heart.

Sometimes the most powerful commentary on a book isn't written by the author at all, but by the unknown reader who encountered something that changed them.

That's what these books still do.

Stanley Jones Was an Entrepreneur of the Spirit

Stanley Jones didn't just write wisely—he lived resourcefully.

Long before "creator economy" or "mission-driven enterprise" were buzzwords, he funded much of his ministry through his writing. His books didn't just inform; they sustained a global mission. The written word became the spoken word. The spoken word became transformed lives.

From Written Word to Living Voices

Right now, our calling is clear.

We have the books—new editions made available through the faithful work of the Stanley Jones Foundation. But books alone are not enough.

What we need now are living voices.

Young men and women—especially of Indian descent—who will take the wisdom of Stanley Jones and speak it again through podcasts, radio programs, and digital media—in English, Indian English, Hindi, and other national languages.

Why India? Why Now?

Stanley Jones gave much of his life to India. The need there has not diminished—if anything, it has intensified. And the Indian diaspora now spans the globe.

Most of us listening today won't be here forever. But what if part of our legacy was helping raise up voices who will be?

That's the heart of the Stanley Jones Radio School for Fully Alive Living.

Things to Remember

• Maturity is the missing ingredient in many of today's biggest challenges.
• Small books can carry world-changing truth.
• Wisdom must move from page to person to remain alive.
• Legacy is not what we leave behind—it's who we raise up.

Things to Share

• Share Stanley Jones' writings with someone younger than you.
• Share this vision with friends who care about faith, India, and leadership.
• Share stories of how timeless wisdom has shaped your own life.

Things to Act On

• Restock your library with Stanley Jones' books—and give them as gifts.
• Pray for young men and women who may be called to become living encores.
• Consider a financial gift to support this work.
• Reach out with ideas, encouragement, or interest in mentoring.

An Invitation

If this vision resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.

You can reach me directly at Stan@WITRadio.net.

Together, we can help ensure that the wisdom of Stanley Jones doesn't simply survive—but speaks again.

As Stanley Jones often reminded us, each of us is a little bit of the Gospel. Let's live—and share—that truth well.

All the best and blessings,
Stan

In this compelling episode of The Stanley Jones Podcast Series, produced by the What It Takes Radio Company, host Stan Hustad issues both a tribute and a challenge. With humility and conviction, he reminds listeners that the enduring mission of E. Stanley Jones is not about preserving memories or institutions—it's about empowering people. Specifically, it's about equipping a new generation of young men and women of India to live out their faith with courage, creativity, and conviction in the modern world.

Stan begins by revisiting Jones's vision of fully alive living—a faith not confined to dogma or fear, but one that brings the Kingdom of God into daily life now. Jones was not merely an evangelist; he was a peacemaker, educator, and reformer whose influence shaped both spiritual and civic life in India. His marriage to Mabel and his partnership with Indian leaders left a legacy that transcends borders.

Hustad then announces a "change of spirit and direction" for the Stanley Jones movement: from education about Jones to empowering new voices who embody his spirit. If Jones were alive today, he says, "he'd be podcasting in English, Hindi, and every major Indian language"—raising up local voices to share the gospel and wisdom of living in God's Kingdom through media, business, and everyday leadership.

The heart of this episode is a call to invest in and mentor young Indian men and women of faith—those who can speak to their own people in their own language and culture. The mission is not to create another school or program but to nurture living witnesses: teachers, broadcasters, entrepreneurs, and peacemakers who will carry the torch of Stanley Jones forward.

As Hustad powerfully concludes, "It's not about us. It's about them." The vision is clear—to ignite a movement where the message of Jesus, embodied through the life and voice of Stanley Jones, continues to thrive in India and beyond.

Things to Remember

• The Kingdom of God is now. Faith is not just for the hereafter but for fully alive living today.
• Legacy is people, not programs. The most enduring tribute to Stanley Jones is found in the lives of those who continue his mission.
• Empower local leaders. The gospel grows strongest when it takes root in native soil, in native voices.
• Be a modern missionary. Use today's tools—podcasts, social media, storytelling—to carry timeless truth into a new world.

Things to Think About and Share

• How can you support or mentor young faith leaders, especially those in India or the diaspora?
• What might your own "fully alive" life look like if you lived daily in the awareness that God's Kingdom is now?
• Are you ready to move from studying legacy to living it?

A Call to Action

Stan Hustad and the Stanley Jones Foundation invite listeners to take this mission personally. Reach out. Contribute your skills, your encouragement, your prayers, and your resources to support this new generation of faithful storytellers.

📩 Contact Stan: stan@whitradio.net
🌐 Connect with the Foundation: estanleyjonesfoundation.org

Let this be your turning point—from hearing the story to helping write the next chapter.