Long Is the Way (Paperback)

“Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light…”

How does the son of sharecroppers from the Jim Crow South grow from loneliness, bitterness, and heartbreak into a man of God living a life full of hope and belief in the promise of better days?

Long Is the Way is the dramatic true story of Alton Hardy and his journey from the dirt roads of Selma, Alabama to the streets of Louisville, Kentucky and Grand Rapids, Michigan — back home, to Birmingham. It is a story about fatherlessness, poverty, racism, anger, sadness, loneliness, and a constant search for belonging.

It is a story about hope.

Alton Hardy’s harrowing memoir reminds us how far we’ve come and the great distances we still have to go. Together.

Long Is the Way asks the question: Has there ever truly been a manifold of God’s people — from every race, color, tongue, and tribe — standing in gospel unity?

Long is the way, indeed.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR LONG IS THE WAY:

This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching and deeply inspiring book, the story of one man’s journey through poverty, racism and despair. While uniquely his own, Alton Hardy’s experiences are universally meaningful, laying bare not only the crushing weights of isolation, indifference and cruelty but also the healing power of kindness and acceptance from those around us and a God eager to embrace us with grace and love.

Dan T. Cathy, Chairman, Chick-fil-A, Inc.

God said to Jeremiah, “I am The Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Long Is the Way is a vivid reminder of the power of God and the potency of His saving grace. Whether one is born and raised in opulent privilege or in abject disadvantage, no one is beyond God’s reach. Alton Hardy had everything going against him. Yet, God redemptively worked through all this negativity toward a positive outcome—an outcome which continues to bear fruit for God’s Kingdom—an outcome that continues to gratify Alton himself. For anyone discouraged by the current state of American Christianity, Long Is the Way is a must read. For all readers, it is a powerful reminder that God’s redemptive purposes are invincible.

Dr. Carl Ellis, Provost Prof. of Theology & Culture at Reformed Theology Seminary

This is one of the most moving stories of grace I have ever read. The true story of one of God’s special children. It is a memoir, a testimony, an autobiography, but it reads like a John Grisham novel. This book will awaken you afresh to the realities that must not be forgotten related to poverty, racism, brokenness, hatred, suffering, and pain. But it will also awaken you afresh to reality of God, His love, His power, His sovereignty, and His unfathomable ways.

Bob Flayhart, Senior Pastor, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL

This is an amazing book, because it’s a gripping story about a remarkable man, written with unusual skill. I couldn’t put it down, and I think you won’t either. It opens our eyes again to the devastating power of poverty and racism, and the greater power of God’s loving kindness. Thank you, Alton. Thank you, Billy. And thanks to all the dear ones who encouraged a poor, skinny, frightened young boy from Sardis, Alabama to see that he and others like him have great value in God’s eyes.

Sandy Willson, Interim President, The Gospel Coalition

This is a shining memoir of reconciliation — from black and white to full Kingdom color. If racism is the new Goliath, as Pastor Hardy suggests, then Hardy is one of God’s new Davids and this book his slingshot. I couldn’t put it down and wept for joy.

Dave Beelen, former Lead Pastor at Madison Square CRC, Grand Rapids, MI