Travis Jordan is just tired of it all.  As the former pastor of Antioch Mission, Travis is burned out and wants to be left alone.  Unfortunately, a stranger has arrived in Antioch and suddenly Travis finds himself smack dab in the middle of a religious controversy.  This visitor, Brandon Nichols, is claiming to be divine and many are accepting him as Jesus.  Travis will have to dig deep into the past, both Brandon’s and his own, to face the underlying meaning behind THE VISITATION.

I must admit that I put off reading this Frank Peretti book for quite awhile.  I didn’t think I would enjoy a book about a burned out pastor facing a man claiming to be the Messiah.  Boy, was I ever wrong!  THE VISITATION is a bit different from some of Mr. Peretti’s other works, but it is perhaps one of his deepest and most thought-provoking novels to date.

Travis Jordan is the sort of character that many Christians will relate to.  His lifelong journey to remain close to Jesus has taken him through a variety of missteps, each revealed as Travis retraces memories of his own early years in his quest to uncover what is occurring with Brandon.  With each mistake, Travis’ love for Jesus and his willingness to serve God became clearer and clearer as Travis begins focusing more on Jesus and less on religiosity.  Travis’ journey is a sharp contrast to that of Brandon’s and offers readers some very thought provoking moments.  The reflections on Travis’ experience with The Cathedral of Life particularly hit home with me.

Reviewed by Debbie

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Posted August 2007