Cotton Patch Rebel: The Story of Clarence Jordan

Clarence Jordan seemed to be born with an ability to see things just a little bit differently than other people did--and sometimes that got him into trouble. Like his views on racial equality: they just werent popular with many other White people in the Deep South of his day. Like his views on war and how to deal with violence and hatred. For Clarence the Gospel was very clear about these issues. Moreover he believed that Jesuss teachings were not just abstract principles but were meant to be applied directly to everyday life. That got him into trouble too especially among certain church-going people. Along the way Clarence became a progressive farmer a sought-after preacher a Greek scholar an author a precursor of the Civil Rights movement and a family man. An irrepressible sense of humor enlivened all these aspects of his life. Today Clarence Jordan is best known as the author of the Cotton Patch Gospels and as the inspiration for Habitat for Humanity. The story of the making of this extraordinary man is not so widely known. Cotton Patch Rebel tells that story. How I rejoice that young people will now be introduced to this amazing man Clarence Jordan and his prophetic witness for racial equality and peace! Ann Trousdale tells his story in a down-to-earth yet inspiring way and reminds us all of the difference one life can make. I cannot wait to share copies with the young people in my life. --Leonora Tubbs Tisdale Clement-Muehl Professor of Preaching Yale Divinity School Cotton Patch Rebel beautifully describes a radical experiment in creating the beloved community. It is a story about the arc of a life defined by justice spirituality courage and by the reality of difficult times. Trousdale writes with rare fidelity to an extraordinary life and skillfully provides clear and straightforward context for younger readers. It makes us want to be a better person. Inspiring instructive and deeply real. --Tobin Hart author of The Secret Spiritual World of Children and The Four Virtues Every now and again someone comes along whose life is a demonstration of the Good News. Clarence Jordan was such a man and his story . . . gives us hope that the Christian life though hard at times is full of blessings. Trousdale tells that story to a new audience to young people who are growing up in a difficult age and who need to know that living as Jesus taught is the surest path to a joyful life. --David Snell President & Co-Founder The Fuller Center for Housing Trousdales marvelous storytelling ability makes the tale of Koinonia Farm and Clarence Jordan leap off the page. Children will discover how faith is put into action in this lively story of courage perseverance friendship and creative problem-solving. Reading this book will also help children understand Americas history with racism and encourage them to make the world a place where all people respect and care for one another. --Karen-Marie Yust The Josiah P. and Anne Wilson Rowe Professor of Christian Education Union Presbyterian Seminary Ann M. Trousdale is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church. She is also a retired professor at Louisiana State University where she taught courses in childrens literature and storytelling. She has published widely in the areas of childrens literature the oral interpretation of literature and childrens spirituality focusing particularly on using literature to support childrens spiritual lives and religious understanding. She lives with her dog in Louisiana.