History of Missions - Exodus Books

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Christ charged His Church with two things: to disciple believers, and to spread the Gospel to every corner of the globe. The two go hand-in-hand, though we sometimes tend to compartmentalize them. Ultimately, even evangelism is a type of discipleship—it's just the most foundational stage in a process that never ends once it's begun.

The story of those who've taken Christ's message to every tribe and nation is often more exciting than any invented adventure novel. Christians have been driven by their burden to share God's Word to explore continents, challenge ungodly governments, smuggle Bibles, enter Communist countries in disguise, and die so that others could hear of God's redemption.

Missions began when Jesus first sent His disciples in pairs to preach throughout Israel. The Great Commission codified the importance of missionary work, and the Church has rightly practiced it ever since. It's important for Christian parents to tell these stories to their children, both to help them understand the importance of missionaries' work, and to offer examples of godliness and perseverance to the young saints.

Even though the human elements of these stories are usually fascinating, the emphasis ought to be on God's glory and the way He brings good out of even the most dire and hopeless circumstances. This is the greatest source of hope for the Christian: that, even when our own power fails, His is constant and will accomplish what He has determined regardless of our ability.

We offer surveys of the history of missions, as well as specific stories and biographies of well-known, lesser-known and unknown servants of Jesus Christ who have worked faithfully in His name. Whether you've been called to the mission field or devote yourself to prayer and support (all of God's people are missionaries), these are stories that can't be ignored by any who profess the name of Jesus.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Parent Categories

History of Missions

History of Missions

Subcategories

Christian Heroes: Then and Now

- Heroes for Young Readers

International Adventures

Missionaries, Evangelists & Pastors

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	'But Now I See': The Life of John Newton by Josiah Bull from Banner of Truth Trust for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Against All Odds Lord, I've ruined my life. I'm yours, if you still want me by Jim Stier from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99
	Arrow Pointing to Heaven Rich Mullins: A Devotional Biography by James Bryan Smith Revised from B&H Books for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.99
	At the Edge of the Village Musings of a Missionary Wife by Lisa Leidenfrost from Canon Press Biographies for Adult in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA) $17.00
	Autobiography of Charles G. Finney The Life Story of America's Greatest Evangelist - In his own words by Charles G. Finney from Bethany House Autobiography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $19.00
	Autobiography of George Muller by George Muller from Whitaker House Biography for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $9.99
	Between Worlds by Marilyn R. Gardner from Doorlight Publications for Adult in Diversity & Multicultural Books (Location: HISMC-MUL) $11.00 (1 in stock)
	Bombs and Blessings by Retha Hazel Eldridge from Review and Herald Publishing Association for 9th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Bonhoeffer Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, foreword by Timothy J. Keller Revised and Updated from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $24.99
	Born Again by Charles Colson from Chosen Books for 9th grade-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $19.99 $14.00 (1 in stock)
	Bring Your Eyes and See Our Journey into Justice, Compassion, and Action International Adventures by Steve Goode, Mary Goode from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $12.00
	Bruchko Originally titled, For This Cross I'll Kill You by Bruce Olson from Charisma House Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	Bruchko by Bruce Olson Updated from Charisma House for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Bruchko by Bruce Olson Revised from YWAM Publishing for 8th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle How Bruce Olson Brought a Stone Age Tribe Into the 21st Century by Bruce Olson from Charisma House Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Captured! A mother's true story of her family's imprisonment by the Vietcong by Carolyn Paine Miller 1^st edition from Christian Herald Books for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Cell 58 Imprisoned in Iran (alternate title) International Adventures by Dan Baumann from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $12.50
	Chance to Die The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot from Revell Publishing Biography for 8th-12th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $22.99
	China Cry The Nora Lam Story by Nora Lam with Richard Schneider from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Contending for Our All The Swans Are Not Silent Book 4 by John Piper from Crossway Books for 11th-Adult in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Cross and the Switchblade A True Story by David Wilkerson from Penguin Putnam Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.99
	Cry from the Streets Rescuing Brazil's Forgotten Children International Adventures by Jeannette Lukasse from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $9.00
	D. L. Moody by Kevin Belmonte from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 7th-Adult in Christian Encounters (Location: BIO-CE) $12.00
	Dayuma Life Under Waorani Spears by Ethel Emily Wallis from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Dayuma Story by Ethel Emily Wallis from Harper & Brothers for 8th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees by Thomas Hale from Zondervan for 9th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $15.99
	Eternity in Their Hearts Startling Evidence of Belief in the One True God in Hundreds of Cultures Throughout the World by Don Richardson from Regal Books for 10th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $16.99
	Evidence Not Seen A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler Rose from HarperCollins Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	Five Pioneer Missionaries by Various from Banner of Truth Trust Biography for 9th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $13.00 $7.00 (1 in stock)
	For Those Who Dare by John Hudson Tiner from Master Books for 8th-Adult in Church History Overviews (Location: XCH-OVE) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Forgotten Founding Father The Heroic Legacy of George Whitefield Leaders in Action Series by Stephen Mansfield from Cumberland House Biography for 9th-12th grade in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA) $16.95 $10.00 (2 in stock)
	Francis Schaeffer A Mind and Heart for God by Bruce Little, ed. from P&R Publishing for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $12.99
	From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya A Biographical History of Christian Missions by Ruth Tucker 2^nd edition from Zondervan History of missions for 11th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $32.99 $14.00 (3 in stock)
	From the Village to the Ends of the Earth Living and Working with a Bibleless People to Bring Them the Word of God by Lisa Leidenfrost from Canon Press in Evangelism & Missions (Location: XAP-EVA) $16.95
	George Whitefield by Arnold A. Dallimore from Crossway Books for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.50
	George Whitefield: Wayfaring Witness by Stuart C. Henry from Abingdon Press for 9th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	God's Samurai Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor by Gordon Prange, with Donald Goldstein & Katherine Dillon from Potomoc Books for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $21.95
	God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew from Chosen Books Biography for 7th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	Great Waters by Creston Donald Ketchum from Hutchinson & Co. for Adult in Nautical History (Location: VIN-NAUT) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Hearts of Fire by The Voice of the Martyrs from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 10th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $2.50 (1 in stock)
	Heavenly Man by Brother Yun, Paul Hattaway from Monarch Books for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99 $8.50 (1 in stock)
	Heroes of the Holy Life Biographies of Fully Devoted Followers of Christ by Wesley L. Duewel from Zondervan for 8th-Adult in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy by Anneke Companjen from Tyndale House for 10th-Adult in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	How I Know God Answers Prayer by Rosalind Goforth Revised from Evangel Publishing House for Adult in Prayer (Location: XCL-PRAY) $5.99
	Hudson Taylor Gospel Pioneer to China by Vance Christie from P&R Publishing for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.99
	I Dared to Call Him Father The Miraculous Story of a Muslim Woman's Encounter with God by Bilquis Sheikh & Richard H. Schneider 25th Anniversary from Chosen Books Biography for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $15.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	In Search of the Source A First Encounter with God's Word by Neil Anderson, Hyatt Moore from Wycliffe Bible Translators Missionary Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.00 (3 in stock)
	Incredible Scofield and His Book by Joseph M. Canfield 2^nd edition from Chalcedon / Ross House Books for Adult in Covenant Theology (Location: XTH-COV) $24.00
	John Charles Ryle Evangelical Bishop by Peter Toon, Michael Smout for 10th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Jonathan and Sarah An Uncommon Union by Edna Gerstner from Soli Deo Gloria Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $10.00 (2 in stock)
	Jonathan Edwards A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen J. Nichols from P&R Publishing Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	Jonathan Edwards A New Biography by Iain H. Murray from Banner of Truth Trust for 11th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $33.00
	Joni Eareckson Tada: Her Story The Three Bestselling Autobiographies Complete in One Volume by Joni Eareckson Tada, Joe Musser, Steve Estes from Inspirational Press for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Jungle Pilot by Russell Hitt from Discovery House Publishers Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	Kisses from Katie A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie J. Davis from Howard Books for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $18.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Letters of Geerhardus Vos by Geerhardus Vos, James T. Dennison, Jr. from P&R Publishing for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $18.00
	Life and Diary of David Brainerd by David Brainerd from Baker Books Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $17.00 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Life and Diary of David Brainerd by David Brainerd from Moody Press Biography for 10th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $24.00 (1 in stock)
	Life of John Newton by American Missionary Fellowship from Attic Books for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $9.50
	Life of Robert Murray M'Cheyne by Andrew Bonar from Banner of Truth Trust for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $13.00
	Light Force A Stirring Account of the Church Caught in the Middle East Crossfire by Brother Andrew from Revell Publishing for 10th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $6.50 (2 in stock)
	Living on the Devil's Doorstep From Kabul to Amsterdam International Adventures by Floyd McClung from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Livingstone and his African Journeys by Elspeth Huxley from Saturday Review Press for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Lords of the Earth by Don Richardson Reprint. from Regal Books for 9th-Adult in Church History (Location: XCH-HIS) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Lords of the Earth by Don Richardson from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $9.50 (1 in stock)
	Man With the Bird on His Head The Amazing Fulfillment of a Mysterious Island Prophecy by Abbe Anderson, John Rush from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Maria by Maria von Trapp from Creation House for 7th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Marriage to a Difficult Man The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards by Elisabeth D. Dodds from Audobon Press Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Minka & Margaret The Heroic Story of Two Nurses Captured in the Jungle by Phyllis Thompson 3rd Printing from Hodder & Stoughton for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Missionary Patriarch The True Story of John G. Paton, Evangelist for Jesus Christ Among the South Sea Cannibals by John G. Paton from Vision Forum Biography for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.00 (1 in stock)
	My Heart in His Hands Ann Judson of Burma by Sharon L. James from Evangelical Press for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $11.00 (1 in stock)
	Narrow Road Stories of Those Who Walk This Road Together by Brother Andrew, Elizabeth Sherrill, Jars of Clay, John Sherrill from YWAM Publishing for 10th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Papua Pilot Flying the Bible to the Last Lost Peoples by Paul Westlund with Dane Skelton, foreword by Steve Sinant from Paul Westlund for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Peace Child by Don Richardson 4^th edition from Regal Books Biography for 10th-Adult in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS) $15.99
	Pigtail and Chopsticks Man The Story of J. Hudson Taylor and the Inland China Mission by Jim Cromarty 2010 Printing from Evangelical Press for 8th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Rev. William S. White, D. D., and His Times [1800-1873] by Rev. H. M. White, D. D., editor from Sprinkle Publications for Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $9.00 (2 in stock)
	Saint Patrick by Jonathan Rogers from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 7th-Adult in Christian Encounters (Location: BIO-CE) $12.00
	Sergeant York and the Great War His Own Life Story and War Diary by Alvin C. York from My Father's World Autobiography for 7th-Adult in World War I (1914-1919) (Location: HISA-20WW1) $22.00
	Seven Men And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 8th-Adult in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH) $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Seven Men And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 8th-Adult in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH) $16.99
	Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot from HarperCollins Biography for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Shadow of the Almighty The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot by Elisabeth Elliot from Harper & Row for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Shorter Life of D. L. Moody Moody Colportage Library #83 by A. P. Fitt from Moody Press for 8th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Skipper of the Sentinel by May Cole Kuhn from Review and Herald Publishing Association for 6th-Adult in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Something Beautiful for God The Classic Account of Mother Teresa's Journey into Compassion Lives of Faith by Malcolm Muggeridge from HarperCollins Biography for in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	St. Francis Christian Encounters by Robert West from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 10th-Adult in Christian Encounters (Location: BIO-CE) $12.00
	Taking the High Places The Gospel's Triumph Over Fear in Haiti International Adventures by Jemimah Wright, Terry Snow from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	These are the Generations by Mr. and Mrs. Bae, as told to the Rev. Eric Foley from Voice of the Martyrs for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot from Tyndale House Biography for 8th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.99
	Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot 40th Anniversary from Tyndale House Missionary Biography for 8th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $7.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	To Live Again by Catherine Marshall from McGraw-Hill for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Tommorow You Die "You are a traitor. . .and traitors are shot." International Adventures by Reona Peterson Joly from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $7.50 (2 in stock)
	Torches of Joy A Stone Age Tribe's Encounter with the Gospel International Adventures by John Dekker & Lois Neely from YWAM Publishing Missionary Biography for 10th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99 $8.00 (2 in stock)
	Totally Surrounded With Danger on Every Side Would She Live to Fulfill Her Destiny? by Christina Davis from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99
	Walking Miracle A Vision for Asia, a Prayer for Healing by Art Sanborn from YWAM Publishing for 7th-Adult in International Adventures (Location: BIO-INTADV) $14.99
	We Died Before We Came Here from NavPress in Biographies (Location: BIO) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Wigglesworth A Man Who Walked with God by George Storemont from Harrison House for 10th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Worlds Apart by Marilyn Gardner from Doorlight Publications for Adult in Diversity & Multicultural Books (Location: HISMC-MUL) $11.00 (1 in stock)
	Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ The Complete Story by Voice of the Martyrs from David C. Cook for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.00 (1 in stock)

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