Author Tommy Barnett is the senior pastor at Phoenix First Assembly of God, which sponsors over 260 outreach ministries (most of which have been born and blossomed by way of his half-hour principle). He also co-founded with his son, Matthew Barnett, the L.A. Dream Center.

Barnett’s newest book, THE POWER OF THE HALF HOUR, is all about taking those daily 30-minute slices of time during the day and using them to change, redirect and empower one’s life. The author has divided his powerful text into seven sections to assist readers in specifically finding the area of focus where they most need to make changes: the power of a half hour to impact your life; chart your life path; strengthen your faith; build your character; advance your dreams; improve your relationships; and change the world.

"Barnett’s warm and winsome writing style makes the invitation to make full use of half hours all the more welcoming."

While most folks view the half hour as a waste of time, Barnett purports that these segments can (and do) change both the person and the individual’s destiny: “…your half hours can determine the difference between success and failure. Your half hours direct and shape your future.” Next, Barnett spends the bulk of his encouraging text proving that premise through the stories of real people who saw both success and failure transpire because of their choices made in those brief 30-minute windows of time.

Barnett even helps equip readers to get the most out of his text by suggesting they read the book in half-hour spaces. Be sure to jot down meaning notes/passages as they are read; pray that God will help readers implement whatever principles they find helpful to their lives specifically; and seek an accountability partner to check up on them in the days and weeks to come.

Listed near the end of the book is a compilation of Half-Hour Power Principles that sum up the main points of Barnett’s message. These 30 brief statements help to solidify the author’s thoughts on the power and significance of taking full advantage of all half-hour segments throughout the day. A few of these quotations include: small-time investments produce huge returns; align your values with God’s values; make being thankful a habit; you exist for other people; build character in children by showing them yours; and take a risk for God --- what could be safer?

As if this book weren’t practical enough, Barnett also includes a 30-day personal action plan guide that highlights one of the half-hour principles with a recap from the material discussed in the text; a personal word of inspiration; and a set of plan/action steps to put the principle into practice.

This resource concludes with a seven-session small group study guide for leading a group of readers through the text. Barnett’s warm and winsome writing style makes the invitation to make full use of half hours all the more welcoming.