Why Read Missionary Stories
Why Read Missionary Stories?
As a homeschooling family missionary stories were a big part of our life. I wanted my children to read these remarkable stories of these faithful men and women, to experience that jungle, those native people, the food but mostly I wanted them to see how God used ordinary people to do extraordinary things because He called and equipped them. Though their stories we have witnessed miracles and stories of great faith that left you in awe and inspired, and sometimes feeling convicted.
There is something captivating about the stories of those who left behind their home and family, all that was familiar to take the Gospel to places they had never seen but only heard about. Many would have to cross oceans. Some entered dangerous jungles among cannibals and primitive tribal groups known for killing. Most served among people who did not speak their language. Some endured torture, imprisonment, illness, loneliness, poverty, persecution, and even martyrdom.
However, if we are not careful, we can read these stories and think, “I could never do that! I’m not that strong, I could never learn a new language, I couldn’t leave my home! They were a super Christian and I clearly am not there.”
Perhaps that is precisely the wrong conclusion. And also notice how many “I” statements that was. Being a missionary has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with the God who calls and equips. There’s a saying that goes something like this, “God doesn’t call the equipped but He equips those He calls.” I believe this is summarizing 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no human may boast before God.”
We see this truth when we take the time to open these missionary stories. The purpose of reading missionary biographies is not to convince us that missionaries were these extraordinary people, but it is to show us how extraordinary our God is! The Bible itself encourages us to look at the lives of faithful believers who have gone before us.
Hebrews 13:7 says:
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their way of life, imitate their faith.
We are told to remember them. We are told to consider their lives. And we are told to follow their faith.
Hebrews 11 does much the same thing. One by one, Scripture brings people from the past before us—people who believed God, obeyed Him, endured suffering, took risks, and trusted His promises. Their stories were preserved so that generations after them could learn from their faith.
Missionary biographies can serve a similar purpose. When we read about those who have gone before us, we get to see faith lived out in real life—not just faith talked about. We see how their faith was tested. Many times, their desire to go where God was calling them was questioned by well-meaning but misguided people. Yet we see these missionaries persevere and obey God's leading. These were men and women who knew how to pray and believe.
Don’t get me wrong, these folks weren’t superheroes, nor should we view them as such. This is one of my favorite things about reading missionary biographies. The more you read, the more you discover that these men and women were weak people who had doubts and fears. They battled worry, anxiety, depression, and some even wrestled with suicidal thoughts. They became discouraged, extremely lonely, and many became sick. More often than not, they wrestled with whether or not they had truly heard from God. Some were discouraged by friends and family. Some were told they were foolish. Some were questioned about whether they should really go. Some faced opposition from the very people who loved them.
And yet, by God's grace, they kept going. They put their hand to the plow and never looked back. This is why their stories inspire me so much! I can see real people, who are much like me and suddenly their lives don’t feel so distant from me.
Perhaps you have wrestled with fear. Perhaps someone has discouraged you from doing something you believe God has called you to do. Perhaps you have wondered why God has placed you in a difficult circumstance or with difficult people. Perhaps your heart is burdened for a place or a people and you haven’t quite figured out what to do with this.
A missionary biography may introduce you to someone who wrestled with some of those same questions centuries ago. And the God who helped them is the same God that will help you! The same Bible they read is the same Bible in your hands.
One missionary may be called to Africa. Another to China. Another to India. Another may minister to orphans or even cannibals! Another may translate Scripture. Another may preach in villages. Another may serve quietly for decades with little recognition.
Their stories, personalities, gifting and circumstances are different. But God is the same! We serve the unchanging God! (Malachi 3:6) And that is what makes these stories so beautiful. We aren't reading them because every Christian should become Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Gladys Aylward, Jim Elliot, or John G. Paton. We read their stories because we want to see what God did through them. We want to see what happens when ordinary, flawed people place themselves in the hands of an extraordinary God. And we want to be excited when we read of sinners being saved!
There is a danger in reading missionary biographies incorrectly.We can become so impressed by the missionary that we forget the One who gave them strength. We can admire their courage and forget where their courage came from. We can marvel at their sacrifices and forget the Savior who called them to follow Him. The missionary is not the hero of the story.
God is!
The missionary's faithfulness becomes an opportunity to see God's faithfulness. Their weakness gives us an opportunity to see His strength and how He lifted them up when they fell. Their fears remind us of His presence in their trials. Their sacrifices remind us of the worthiness of Christ. Their perseverance reminds us that God's grace is sufficient and that with His help we can get through some of the toughest times. Many missionaries saw no fruit for years! James O Fraser is one missionary who lived through 7 years of no fruit! I can’t imagine what that felt like. However, we see their perseverance prove God’s Word time and time again as Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). God is the One who works and He is the One who brings about the harvest. And it’s in His timing, not ours.
So why should we read their stories? Well, I believe, that sometimes we need to see faith with skin on it. We need to be reminded that trusting God doesn't mean you never feel afraid. That obedience doesn't mean everyone will understand. That God's calling doesn't mean the road will be easy. That faithfulness may require sacrifice. That God can use people who feel inadequate. And that the Lord who sustained His servants in generations past is the same Lord who sustains His people today.
So, pick up a missionary biography. Read about someone you've never heard of. Let their story surprise and inspire you. Let their struggles encourage you. Let their faith challenge you. But most of all, look past the missionary and see the God who called them, strengthened them, sustained them, and used them. Because every missionary story is different.
But the God who worked through them is the same.
And perhaps, as you turn the pages, you'll find yourself wondering:
“What might God do through me if I trust Him as this missionary did?”
And it causes you to burst into prayer, “Here I am Lord! Send me! Use me! Give me the faith to move mountains and trust Your sovereign plan for my life and for the life of others that You are drawing to Yourself. Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief! Use me for Your glory! In Jesus name..amen”
Here’s some missionaries I highly recommend you start with:
John and Betty Stam
Amy Carmichael
Hudson Taylor
James O Fraser
Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Steve Saint (Nate Saints son)
Gladys Aylward
John G Paton
Adoniram and Anne Judson
Darlene Deibler Rose
Mary Slessor
David Livingstone
Helen Rousevere
