Missionaries, Evangelists & Pastors

Most missionaries aren't household names, at least in non-Christian households. Unfortunately, many of them haven't been heard of in Christian homes, either, which is precisely why we've dedicated an entire category to them. The Bible is obviously our guide to holy living, but we need to hear the stories of other Christians as well, to be encouraged in our own pursuit of Christ as much as to see that God is still working in His people to spread and glorify His name throughout the world.

We've opted to carry only missionary and evangelist biographies from a Christian perspective. It's important to understand the lives of these men and women in the context of the people of God, not simply in a human context, and while secular writers could certainly offer the latter perspective they wouldn't be able to offer the first. Also, the focus needs to be on the spread of the Gospel; the character of God's servants, while important, is still less important than the work He has led them to do.

There are few things in the Christian life more important or more valuable than to follow Christ's command to make disciples. We read about those who have been faithful in order to emulate them. It's important to help kids remember this—while many godly Christians have led adventurous lives (everyone from Amy Carmichael to Eric Liddell to Hudson Taylor), the essential part isn't the exciting times they had but the way they overcame trials and difficulties in order to take God's Word where it hadn't yet gone, or how they remained pure in the midst of wicked cultures.

It's good to have heroes, but we need to pick them carefully. For Christians, the best heroes (really, the only heroes) are those who've given their lives to Christ's service and maintained lives of faithfulness. Because it's so important for our children to have those kinds of heroes, we encourage you to give them biographies of missionaries and evangelists whose exemplary lives are worthy of imitation. And, because many of them were really fascinating people, you should have no problem getting even reluctant readers interested.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and 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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83 Items found Print
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Adoniram Judson: A Grand Purpose
by Renee Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
African Traveler
by Ronald Syme, illustrated by Jacqueline Tomes
from William Morrow & Company
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Amy Carmichael: Can brown eyes be made blue?
Little Lights #01
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Taft Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
Ann of Ava
by Ethel Hubbard, Illustrated by Margaret Ayer
2017 Reprint from Accelerated Christian Education
for 8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.60 (1 in stock)
At the End of the Santa Fe Trail
by Sister Blandina Segale
4th Printing from Bruce Publishing Co.
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$4.00 (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)
Burma Surgeon
by Gordon S. Seagrave
from W. W. Norton and Co.
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
Captured!
by Carolyn Paine Miller
1st edition from Christian Herald Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Choices, Changes
by Joni Eareckson Tada
from Zondervan
Biography for Adult
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$3.20 (1 in stock)
Christopher Columbus
by Elaine Murray Stone
500 Anv from Tyndale House
Biography for Preschool-3rd Grade
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$5.20 (1 in stock)
Church History ABCs
by Ned Bustard, Stephen J. Nichols
from Crossway Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$14.44 $7.20 (1 in stock)
Corrie ten Boom: Are all of the watches safe?
Little Lights #03
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Created for Purpose
by Ron Post
from Coffee House Press
Biography for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
David Livingstone: Courageous Explorer
by Renee Meloche, illustrated by Bryan Pollard
from YWAM Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
Divine Light
Leaders in Action Series
by David Vaughan
from Cumberland House
Biographies for 9th-12th grade
in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
Eric Liddell: Running for a Higher Prize
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Taft Meloche & Bryan Pollard
illustrated edition from YWAM Publishing
Picture Book Biography for 1st-3rd grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
Explorers for God
by Nathan Aaseng
from Augsburg Fortress
for 4th-6th grade
in Age of Exploration (1450-1700) (Location: HISA-16EXP)
Explorers, Missionaries, and Trappers
by Kieran Doherty
from Oliver-Nelson Books
for 7th-9th grade
in Western Expansion (1800-1898) (Location: HISA-19WES)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
Forbidden Land
by Geoffrey T. Bull
from Moody Press
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$7.60 (1 in stock)
Forgotten Founding Father
Leaders in Action Series
by Stephen Mansfield
from Cumberland House
Biography for 9th-12th grade
in Leaders in Action (Location: BIO-LIA)
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya
by Ruth Tucker
2nd edition from Zondervan
History of missions for 11th-Adult
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$32.99
George Muller of Bristol
by Arthur T. Pierson
from Fleming H Revell Co.
for 9th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
George Muller: Does Money Grow on Trees?
Little Lights
by Catherine Mackenzie, illustrated by Rita Ammassari
from Christian Focus Publications
for 1st-3rd grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
George Muller: Faith to Feed Ten Thousand
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
for 1st-3rd grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
George Whitefield: Wayfaring Witness
by Stuart C. Henry
from Abingdon Press
for 9th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Gladys Aylward: Daring to Trust
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Taft Meloche & Bryan Pollard
illustrated edition from YWAM Publishing
Picture Book Biography for 1st-3rd grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
Great Waters
by Creston Donald Ketchum
from Hutchinson & Co.
for Adult
in Nautical History (Location: VIN-NAUT)
Helen Roseveare: What's in the parcel?
Little Lights #05
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
Hero Tales Volume I
by Dave & Neta Jackson
from Bethany House
Biography Anthologies for 3rd-6th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Heroes of God
by Katie & Dan Montgomery
from Augsburg Fortress
for 3rd-6th grade
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
Hiding Place - A Graphic Novel
by Corrie Ten Boom, adapted by Mario DeMatteo, illustrated by Ismael Castro
from Chosen Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Comic Books & Graphic Novels (Location: FIC-COMIC)
$21.24
Home Fires
by Mally Ham, introduction by Ken Ham, foreword by Heidi St. John
from Master Books
for Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$18.69
Horseman of the King
by Cyril J. Davey
1970 printing from Christian Literature Crusade
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Hudson Taylor
by Ben Alex,
from Victor Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission
by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
from China Inland Mission
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission Volume 2
by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
from OMF
for 10th-Adult
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$11.20 (1 in stock)
Hudson Taylor In Early Years Volume 1
by Howard Taylor
from OMF
for 10th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.20 (2 in stock)
Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret
by Hudson Taylor
from Moody Press
for 10th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Hudson Taylor: Could somebody pass the salt?
Little Lights #02
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (2 in stock)
In My Father's House
by Corrie Ten Boom
First Edition from Revell Publishing
for 9th-Adult
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$3.20 (2 in stock)
John Knox
by Simonetta Carr
from Reformation Heritage Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Church History for Kids (Location: XCH-KID)
$15.30 $8.00 (1 in stock)
John Knox: Who Will Save You?
Little Lights #14
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
John Wesley
by May McNeer, illustrated by Lynd Ward
from Abingdon Press
for 2nd-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Jonathan Edwards
by Iain H. Murray
from Banner of Truth Trust
for 11th-Adult
in Clearance: Christian Books (Location: XCLE)
$23.10
Just As I Am
by Billy Graham
1st edition from HarperCollins
for 11th-Adult
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$4.80 (1 in stock)
Kisses from Katie
by Katie J. Davis
from Howard Books
for Adult
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Letters of Geerhardus Vos
by Geerhardus Vos, James T. Dennison, Jr.
from P&R Publishing
for Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$18.00
Life and Diary of David Brainerd
by David Brainerd
from Moody Press
Biography for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$19.20 (1 in stock)
Life of John Newton
by American Missionary Fellowship
from Attic Books
for 10th-Adult
in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO)
$9.50
Life Sentence
by Charles W. Colson
Second Printing from Chosen Books
for 10th-Adult
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$4.00 (2 in stock)
Livingstone and his African Journeys
by Elspeth Huxley
from Saturday Review Press
for 10th-Adult
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Lone Journey
by Jeanette Eaton, illustrated by Woodi Ishmael
from Harcourt
for 7th-10th grade
1945 Newbery Honor Book
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
by James Daugherty
from Viking Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
A Discovery Book
by Marian T. Place
from Garrard Publishing Company
for 4th-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Marcus Whitman: The Great Command
by Nard Jones
2nd edition from Binford & Mort Publishing
for 6th-12th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Maria
by Maria von Trapp
from Creation House
for 7th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Martin Luther: What Should I Do?
Little Lights #08
by Catherine Mackenzie
from Christian Focus Publications
for Nursery-1st grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Mary Slessor: Courage in Africa
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
Memoir & Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne
by Andrew Bonar
from Banner of Truth Trust
for Adult
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$29.75
Moro Sheeba
by Beatrice Tannehill King
from Moody Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
My Little Church Around the Corner
by Dr. J.H. Randolph Ray
from Simon and Schuster
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$14.40 (1 in stock)
Narcissa and Marcus Whitman
Heroes of God
by Anne West Williams
from Association Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Nate Saint: Heavenbound
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Taft Meloche & Bryan Pollard
illustrated edition from YWAM Publishing
Biography for 1st-3rd grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
Never Dies the Dream
by Margaret Landon
from Doubleday & Company
for 7th-12th grade
in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Never Say Die
by Cyril Davey
1972 Printing from Lutterworth Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Nigerian Pioneer
by Ronald Syme, illustrated by Jacqueline Tomes
from William Morrow & Company
for 2nd-5th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Personal Life of David Livingstone
Heroes of the Faith
by W Garden Blaikie
from Fleming H Revell Co.
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Peter Cartwright, the Backwoods Preacher
by Peter Cartwright
Undated from Cranston and Curts
for 10th-Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
$9.60 (1 in stock)
Pilipinto: The Jungle Adventures of a Missionary's Daughter
by Valerie Elliot Shepard
Revised from P&R Publishing
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in History of Missions (Location: XCH-MIS)
$22.99
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)
$7.20 (2 in stock)
Roots of Endurance
The Swans are Not Silent #3
by John Piper
from Crossway Books
for Adult
in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
$6.40 (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)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
Splendor of God
by Honore Morrow
from Grosset & Dunlap
for 8th-12th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Steal Away Home: Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson
by Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey
from B&H Books
for Adult
in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Teresa of Calcutta
Sowers Series
by D. Jeanene Watson, illustrated by Robert E. Lawson
from Mott Media
Biography for 4th-6th grade
in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW)
$4.80 (1 in stock)
To Far Places
by Eva K. Betz, illustrated by Peter Landa
from Hawthorn Books, Inc.
for 4th-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
To Heaven on Horseback
by Paul Cranston
from Julian Messner
for 4th-7th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Whitman Massacre of 1847
by Catherine, Elizabeth, and Matilda Sager
from Ye Galleon Press
for 7th-12th grade
in Pacific States (Location: HISV-PNW)
William Carey: Bearer of Good News
Heroes for Young Readers
by Renee Taft Meloche
from YWAM Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in Heroes for Young Readers (Location: BIO-HERO)
William Penn, Founder and Friend
by Virginia Haviland
from Abingdon Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
World of William Penn
by Genevieve Foster
from Charles Scribner's Sons
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ
by Voice of the Martyrs
from David C. Cook
for 9th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.20 (1 in stock)