The 5:25 Call is an opportunity for husbands to be empowered and transformed into the men God has called them to be. Are you ready to answer the call?
Released October 20, 2020
Sales are now open!
In The 5:25 Call Mitch Luse explores God’s original design for husbands, which has been broken and distorted beyond recognition. But there is hope because Jesus came not only to restore humankind to Himself but also to restore men and women back to each other.
Jesus invites husbands everywhere to break free from cycles of brokenness and to step into His original intent for manhood and marriage by taking up His call in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Discussion Questions and Prayer Guide included for personal or small group use!
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About the Cover
Maybe it's my aversion to inauthenticity or my microscopic attention to detail, or maybe it's my own indecision that runs interference for my insecurities... I don't know why, but I can say it was HARD for me to find a cover image that I liked and that captured the essence of the 5:25 call.
I knew that I didn't want the cover to be a picture of two yellow gold wedding rings on a white backdrop, one propped up against the other -- too cliche. I also didn't want a stock photo of a happy caucasian couple in white button-down shirts and faded jeans on a swing at sunset on the farm -- too stereotypical. So I searched for a more earthy cover image that would communicate the depth of what I feel about Jesus' heart for marriage, for men and women. It couldn't be pristine or airbrushed, and it couldn't be an innovative, latest-and-greatest sales pitch - this book is about excavating ancient and timeless truth found in the heart of God. Jesus' example for husbands stands the test of time, and by trying to give it some "sizzle" I'd be diminishing its inherent value. Instead, I wanted to have a cover that piques readers' curiosity, while also imparting both hope and wonder. Something that would invite readers into an intimate experience of the person of Jesus, and compel them to discover their Creator and their created purpose like the man who sold everything to gain the pearl of great price. After hours of searching, I finally stumbled upon the photograph that's now a part of the cover art for The 5:25 Call. It is a photo of a sculptor in the act of sculpting a lump of clay into a man. His instrument is handled with finesse and intention to form the clay into the exact specifications that are in his heart. He's thought long and hard, and now he's finally executing and bringing forth life. Many times when I see the cover art, I just stop and take it in. I often forget that the sculpture is not a real person, it's just a piece of clay. But to me, there's something alive in this picture, and there's something I believe God's resting on and inviting us into related to His heart for marriage, His original intent for humankind, and the redemption He has made available for those who will pick up their cross and follow Him. -Mitch Luse |
Excerpts
God's Design
"Under the banner of Ephesians 5:25, this book has stepped into the love relationship of God and humanity, of husband and wife. In Ephesians 5:25 Paul gave us a glimpse into the profound mystery that is the connection between Christ and the church and between husbands and wives." Mitch Luse, The 5:25 Call
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Revelation
"We need a revelation of the poverty of male-only leadership, as well as contrition of heart over the dynamic that God called 'not good' from the beginning. We cannot give only lip service to the need for women to be raised up. We need to perceive and grieve over the limping body of Christ when only part of her has permission to be fully alive. We need to hunger for and heartily pursue the authentic and fully feminine presence, participation, and contribution of our sisters." - Mitch Luse, The 5:25 Call
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The Call
"My prayer is that as men take up the 5:25 call, the result will be the proactive empowerment of women and genuine partnership with them. I desire that our pursuit of Jesus’ call as husbands will lead us to discover our valiant role of fighting for women and co-reigning alongside them. Let’s do our part to leave legacies that demonstrate God’s design for both husbands and wives, men and women. May our lives and marriages reflect God’s design, “a great and sacred mystery—meant to be a vivid example of Christ and his church” (Eph. 5:32, TPT)." - Mitch Luse, The 5:25 Call
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Endorsements
Mitch Luse shares about marriage and life as he lives it, genuinely and powerfully. His perspective sets the insightful tone of value and purpose that husbands need. He beautifully reveals, like an architect, God’s intended plan for this foundational relationship. Mitch exposes the subtle indulgences that trap us in cycles of smallness and deception and applies rugged honesty to free us from ourselves. And he does us a favor: he goes first. We see ourselves in him and as we find courage, we also find the heart of what this thing called marriage is all about. This book is refreshing. It’s absolutely true. And it summons a response from its readers.”
John Leach
Executive Pastor, Life Center Ministries International
Interweaving personal experience with biblical and psychological insight, Mitch opens up profound truths and wisdom, especially for his readers who are husbands, although the contents of this book are challenging and inspiring to us all. The 5:25 Call: God’s Design for Husbands includes reflection questions at the end of each chapter, as well as a declaration and a helpful prayer guide. This has the potential to be a life-changing book in the hearts and lives of men and the women they love. I believe this to be a gift from our Bridegroom God to our great need today.”
Janet Munn, Director
International Social Justice Commission, The Salvation Army
This book, The 5:25 Call: God’s Design for Husbands, written by my friend Mitch Luse, is a book that presents a lifestyle that has been discovered and lived out in a very practical way by the author. His journey is not a fairy tale, but a story of a man who is madly in love with Jesus and his wife. You will find amazing insights and practical steps to apply to your life as a husband.”
Dr. Mike Hutchings, Director of Education
Global Awakening
Being a husband is a great calling for any man. There are many examples of exceptional husbands all around us, however, the steps on how to achieve success in this area remain vague. Mitch Luse offers transparency and a commitment to truth on God’s role for husbands in marriage. Mitch clearly defines the heart, attributes, and thought processes of a godly and exceptional husband. It is very clear that Mitch’s heart is to give us clear examples of health in marriage. As his personal friend, it has been a pleasure to watch him live this out in his daily life.”
Kevin J. Pitts, Pastor
His Church Ministries
The 5:25 Call reads like a blueprint of God’s design for husbands. A fresh look on the role of the husband and on the call to an intentional, Spirit-filled, healed and set free marriage is precisely what we need today. Mitch Luse unpacks a powerful punch of theological and biblical truths on marriage and then, with vulnerability and sincerity, takes it to the root, intertwining his own story and personal revelation. I can personally attest that Mitch and his beautiful bride Katie have done the hard work behind the scenes, and I have experienced in my own marriage the fruit of walking alongside them.”
Tabitha Swires, Lieutenant
Commanding Officer Bay Ridge Brooklyn Salvation Army, The Salvation Army
The Christian life is filled with so many amazing opportunities, experiences, and beautiful promises of God. In an age that celebrates individuality, ambition, and self-promotion, the foundational call to sacrificial love and service is often overlooked. The earth is in desperate need for the sacred office of “husband” to be displayed in all of its glory. Mitch not only beautifully articulates the intricacies of this high call, but also models this in his own life in a way that has deeply impacted me personally. I strongly recommend this fantastic resource for any man looking to model Christ in their marriage.”
Justin Allen, Associate Evangelist
Global Awakening
This book offers men a fresh and insightful challenge to apply truths derived from stories found in Scripture in our own lives and especially in our marriages. Mitch has drawn from the life of Mary’s Joseph principles and actions to help us all pursue greater intimacy and connection with our wives. Because of his willingness to share transparently from his own walk, even the harder challenges feel accessible to us. And adding the prayer guide at the conclusion gives us a means to work this call into our own lives. Taken seriously, I firmly believe this will help to renew relationships which may feel fractured and bring a fresh depth of connection to couples wanting more.”
Phill Olson
Author, The Other Half of the Army – Women in Kingdom Ministry
"Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her..."
- Ephesians 5:25
just as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her..."
- Ephesians 5:25