Top 5 Favorite Missionary Stories

Welcome back! Before we get started, I have something exciting to tell you. 😉 Do you remember that Grand Prize I shared a picture of on the first day?

Yes, that gorgeous thing. Well, we’ve hit enough entries on the giveaway that we’ve added a second place prize and we’re threatening to add a third place one as well if we can get 100 entries! 😀 Don’t forget to visit our hostess blog to find out more and enter. 

I’m glad that’s over. It felt all marketer-y or something. Now to the books! 😀

Missionary stories are some of my favorites. It’s always encouraging to see how other people live their lives for the Lord in a big way, serving Him by ministering to others and spreading the Gospel. And I’m always spurred on in my own ordinary but beautiful calling after reading one of these. 😉

1. John Hyde: The Apostle of Prayer  by Francis McGaw forever changed my life. I was encouraged by the life of this man who was limited by health problems and resources but served the Lord anyway by praying his heart out from the homefront. At one point in his ministry, his prayers were bringing six souls to Christ a day! There is always something we can do to labor in the harvest.

2. You know about star ratings for books? Someone needs to do heart ratings. Serious, this book. ❤ Left to Die by Ivy Rose is the story of a young woman with an unexpected calling and the abandoned baby who helped her see it. This book truly falls into all my favorite categories–ordinary life stories, ministering to orphans, and a really sweet, God-honoring love story. Read my review here. (And go get yourself a copy, because there really aren’t any reasons not to. Except money. But forget that small detail.)

3. The Family God Gave by Esther Mae Witmer also has an emphasis on orphans when a family living in a foreign country find their ministry brought right to them. It has such a sweet view of adoption, and I love how the parents gently welcome each new addition. Just a note that the family is Mennonite (although I found no doctrinal issues portrayed) and one person outside of the family makes a slightly racist comment.

4. My dad read this book, Only a Servant by Kristina Roy, aloud to the entire family years ago, and it became a solid favorite. The character in this books lives the Gospel out in such a beautiful way that will leave you thinking and pondering how you can do the same. The writing style is slightly sparse, but it’s only because this has been translated from another language. (Which I’m really grateful for since it’s so good!) 😀

5. Oh, this is one of my favorites!! 😀 I read Evangelists in Chains by Elizabeth Wagler years ago, but I “force” younger siblings to read it whenever I get the chance. 😉 This is such a compelling story of a group of men being persecuted for their faith and serving God through it! (And I’m pretty sure it’s based on real history–which is a plus. :D) Also, the end will blow your mind. *huge grin* Just a note that there are a couple mentions of martyrdom and a few facets of Anabaptist beliefs some families may be uncomfortable with.

Grab a blanket, burrow under, and be inspired to follow Christ to the bitter end! Sometimes your calling with be the most extraordinary, dangerous, and exciting circumstances, but often it will be ordinary, every day life, living for God and loving others. 😉 Tell me about your real-life or fictional missionary hero in the comments!

Don’t forget to explore all the other blogs and enter the giveaway by jumping off at our blog party. 😉