Have you ever read a book that you just could not put down? You just had to keep reading to see what happens next. Maybe you even stayed up late to finish just one more chapter. You want to know what happens. The book is full of adventure, heartbreak, joy, obedience, and love. You are a person who enjoys reading books that challenge you. If those are the kinds of books you enjoy, you need to read missionary biographies.

I will confess that I stayed up late one night to finish a missionary biography. I kept reading one more chapter. Then just another chapter. It was worth it. I was inspired.  I saw her dependence on God in situations that were beyond what I could imagine. Why had I allowed the book to sit unread on my shelf for over two years?

Missionary biographies are not just for children. There are numerous biographies that have been written for children and it is great to read them to your children or for them to read. I believe adults need to read missionary biographies, ones written for adults.

You need to read missionary biographies for your own growth. You need to read missionary biographies to grow in knowing God.

Here are five reasons why you need to read missionary biographies.

1. Your faith will increase. As you read about how God has provided, your faith will increase. The same God that provided funds for missionaries cares about you. Have you read about Hudson Taylor and his faith in God providing financially for him. God is faithful. Your faith in who he is and what he can do will increase as you read missionary biographies.

2. You will see God at work around the world. It is easy to get caught in our own little world and forget about people around the world. As you read missionary biographies, you will see how God is working to call people “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9) From the jungles of Papua New Guinea to the cities of Japan, God is at work. You become part of the global community. God is a God of the nations. He is not limited in time and space. As you read missionary biographies, you become part of the global community of followers of Jesus Christ.

3. You begin to see the sacrifices that missionaries make. They make the sacrifice in obedience to God. You will be challenged to make sacrifices as well. The sacrifice might be leaving family members to go overseas. It could be the sacrifice of a good job and position. Have you read about C.T. Studd? Obedience to God requires sacrifice which will look different for each person.

4. You begin to understand the challenges that missionaries face. The challenges today might be different from the challenges years ago but there are still challenges. It might be the challenge of local people not wanting them there. It could be the challenge of learning the language and culture. So if there are challenges, why do missionaries go overseas? They go in obedience to God. You might even be a bit challenged as you read. Glayds Aylward knew God called her to serve overseas but getting there was difficult and staying there was hard.

5. You will see missionaries preserve through disappointments. The disappointments could be no converts. Disappointment can come in so many ways. As you read and see how they preserve, you will be encouraged to do the same in your life. Have you read about William Carrey and all that happened in his years in India?

Bonus Reason to Read Missionary Biographies

You will learn how to pray for missionaries. As you read about their lives, you will have insight into how to pray for missionaries. If you need additional help to pray for missionaries, be sure to read, How to Pray for Missionaries. Sign up for the mailing list and you will receive these prayer prompts ready to be printed.

My Personal Reflections from Reading Missionary Biographies

That night, as I finished reading Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose. I was challenged after reading about how she trusted God. I saw God doing amazing things for her and through her. When she was in prison, she prayed, asking God for just one banana. The next day she was given bunches of bananas. That is the same God that loves and cares for each of us.

Reading that book spurred me on to read more. I am looking through my shelves for other books I have not read. Today I went to a charity coffee bar and they had a table of used books for sale. I added four books to my missionary to read stack.

Are you ready to be challenged to Read Missionary Biographies? I am putting together a Missionary Reading Challenge which is coming soon to the blog.

Do you have a missionary biography that you enjoy? Let the title in the comments. I love book recommendations.