We recently asked your Mission Society missionaries and their children to name a book – other than the Bible – that has been most instructive or inspirational during their missionary service; or that they often recommend; or that has been most instrumental in forming them. Responses we received are listed here alphabetically by missionary. Enjoy some time reading how God has used books to help shape the lives of your missionaries. As the new year approaches, may the Lord open new chapters in our lives – maybe even through a new book.
The Call, by Os Guinness, was very inspirational during my period of trying to understand my call into missionary service. It is written from the perspective that we are all called into service for our Lord Jesus Christ – some as missionaries, others as pastors, but most as people living and working as Christians glorifying God. The Call is one of the best books that I have read.
Ed Baker, Paraguay
For another view on Islam, I recommend: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades, by Robert Spencer. For deepening our walk with the Lord and cleaning up hidden issues from the past: The Hidden Rift with God, by William Backus. For getting us excited about heaven: Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. For Christian financial planning, anything by Crown Financial Ministries is great, and anything by Burkett, Dayton, Alcorn, or Blue is helpful. But the simplest, best, and the one book I would recommend on the subject is The Sound Mind Investing Handbook, by Austin
Pryor. I recommend subscribing (and have subscribed) to the Sound Mind Investing newsletter. No question. Best choice. Beats all the others. Check out soundmindinvesting.com.
Alan Barrett, who formerly served in Muslim areas and now
is based in the United States
I have definitely recommended Faith in the Night Seasons, by Nancy Missler, more than any other book I’ve ever read. It’s a book about hope, persevering, and about God’s faithfulness in dark times in life when you don’t see or feel much evidence that He is there. This book gave me permission to trust God in the most difficult times. I have read it more times than any other book I own (except maybe My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers).
Angela Beise, France
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene H. Peterson, is a good correction to our culture’s tendency to want everything to happen quickly, including spiritual growth.
Jim Beise, France
I recommend A Guide to Prayer For All God’s People, by Rueben P. Job and Norman Sawchuck. I began using this as a guide for my morning devotions in 1995 and have used it ever since. About three years ago I added This Day, A Wesleyan Way of Prayer, by Laurence Hull Stookey. Both of these books follow the lectionary, and when I’m 7,000 miles away from home and worshiping in a foreign language, these books help me feel connected with my home church. Knowing I am reading the same passages of Scripture as many people all over the world really helps.
Judy C., secure area
Miki and I find ourselves returning over and over again to Leslie D. Weatherhead’s The Will of God. As we have been raising support, one of the most common questions we have received is, “How did you know God was telling you to go to Russia?” There are lots of people who want to serve our Lord, but are confused about His calling on their life. We give them The Will of God.
Charlie (and Miki) C., Russia
I have found myself lately talking a lot about The Heavenly Man, by Brother Yun. It is an an incredible story of how God used one man in China under some really hard circumstances. I loved seeing how God used Yun’s faith and courage to grow the Body of Christ in huge ways!
Jennie Clements, Mexico
The two books which I return to most often are: Men in Leadership, by Bob Briner, and Half Time, by Bob Buford. These two books helped me forge both my military experience and my experience at the CDC to serve Him.
Patrick C. Cummings, Global Resource Team based in the United States (specialty in water and sanitation)
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, by Ruth Tucker, is a wonderful, biographical work on missionaries over a broad range of time but focuses on the lives of Protestant missionaries from the rise of Protestantism to modern times. I especially like Tucker’s description of the life struggles that normal people encounter in working out their calling to missions, and the amazing work of God in transforming their lives through those struggles. This book always encourages my faith!
The Gospel in Dostoyevsky, edited by The Bruderhof (Plough Publishing), is a great introduction to Dostoyevsky. It’s a sampling of his writings focused around several spiritual themes, and it gives good insight into Dostoyevsky’s views and understanding of spiritual life. I have really been blessed by his deep understanding of the complexities of being human and the great mercy and love of God. This short work has helped me to better understand Russian people and the Orthodox Church.
Chris Champion, Russia
David Gregory’s Dinner With A Perfect Stranger and A Day With A Perfect Stranger are delightful. I recommend these quick reads to friends to share with those who are agnostic or who believe all roads lead to heaven, or to unchurched seekers who are suspicious, cynical, or afraid of organized religions. As for books that have most helped form me, there’s Hannah W. Smith’s The God Who Is Enough (out of print), or the collection of Spurgeon’s Sermons on Prayer, or C.S. Lewis’ Great Divorce.
Joyce C., secure area
Mothers, Miniskirts and Muslims, by Christine Mallouhi, is AWESOME, even if you’re not working among the Muslims.
Stacy D., secure area
The way nationals use their money is virtually opposite its use by Westerners. African Friends and Money Matters, by David E. Maranz, has helped me understand the basis of my culture shock.
Don Dickerson, Kenya
This is not the book that has formed me, but simply a new book I found in Pennsylvania serendipitously on a recent trip. A Spiritual Field Guide: Meditations for the Outdoors, by Bernard Brady and Mark Neuzil. A lightweight book to pack along on a trip, especially one to the great outdoors. It’s not exclusively Christian, but it’s filled with many scriptures and classic Christian writings. The non-Christian passages included make for good redemptive analogy examples, as most of them are observations about nature and God’s creative hand. This book includes suggested reading plans for weeklong, weekend, or day trips.
Doug F., secure area
I love to read, and I have read so many wonderful books while home during my time with cancer. Here are ones I would list from that time: When Cancer and God Meet, by Lynn Eibs. This is a story of a lady who had cancer and because of her incredible faith during the journey, her Jewish doctor became a believer. He later hired her to counsel his other cancer patients. She shares many true stories of hope in the midst of cancer. This book is appropriate for patients and their care providers.
Being an Aroma of Christ, by Karen Pearson, is a book by a missionary in Romania that explains about adjusting and thriving in a cross-cultural setting. She discusses topics such as culture shock, adjusting to roles, leaving your friends and family, spiritual warfare, finding time to spend with the Lord, etc.
(Shelley also recommends: The God I Love, by Joni Eareckson Tada; 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper; Heaven, by Randy Alcorn; Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, by Jim Cymbala; Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby; 31 Days of Praise, by Ruth Myers; and Psalm 23, by David Roper.)
Shelly F., secure area
The book that has helped me the most during my missionary career has been John Ortberg’s If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have To Get Out of the Boat. While many people may think that a missionary is already “out there,” that he or she is hugely walking by faith, the truth is that we all have miles to grow in learning to really walk by faith. Some of the outreaches I’ve been involved with in Ghana are so beyond me as far as my own training and abilities. I have often found myself at a huge point of weakness where God alone is the strength. He has done great things.
Anne Gongwer, Ghana
The book A Work of Heart-Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders, by Reggie McNeal, is excellent. It is a publication of the Leadership Network. I have found it very helpful in my own leadership development.
Cam Gongwer, Ghana
I’ll gladly recommend A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, by Eugene H. Peterson. This is a wonderful book that looks at discipleship for the long-run. Peterson takes the Psalms of Ascent and looks at those incredible songs through new eyes. He helps us make them our own songs on the journey of faith. As I finished reading this book, I was encouraged and renewed in my own discipleship, and that moves me to want to share afresh and anew the Good News with others.
Jon Herrin, Venezuela
Our recommendation is The Vision, by Rick Joyner. Based on Acts 2:17-18, this book illuminates the areas of strengths and weaknesses in the Church and in our own personal lives. It sheds intense light on our personal walk with the Lord. A must read!
Neal and Mari Hicks, Japan
On Being a Missionary, by Tom Hale, offers great insights from a tried-and-true missionary on how to do missions. And The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver (also recommended by the Reeves), offers insights on how not to do it.
Angi Hopkins, Nicaragua (and Martin and Tracy Reeves, Peru)
The book I find myself recommending lately is The Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne. It rocks my world. The author did a three-month internship with Mother Teresa. As soon as he returned, he did a three-month internship with Willow Creek Church. Think that’d make a guy conflicted? Well, he looks like kind of a freak (look him up on YouTube) with dreadlocks and homemade clothing. But he hits a lot of themes on the head that missionaries and other “ordinary radicals” wrestle with daily.
Adam Hoyt, serving in the United States among refugee communities
I recommend Potty Training in Just One Day, by Teri Crane. That’s about all I have time to read these days.
Mary Hoyt, serving in the United States among refugee communities (and mother of young twins)
I recommend Forever Ruined for the Ordinary, by Joy Dawson. This book is a great motivator to surrender comforts and “rights” to God and expect the extraordinary in life. (We recommend other books on our site at www.jerniganblog.com)
Andrew Jernigan, Ghana
I love nothing more than to recommend good books to others. Here are two offerings. Make Me Like Jesus: The Courage To Pray Dangerously, by Michael Phillips (2003), was given to me by a pastor friend and has been the most important book in my spiritual formation outside the Bible itself. It’s a book to be read, re-read, and lived.
My other recommendation is Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, which is the first book in Eugene Peterson’s five-volume-in-progress series on “spiritual theology.” One quote from the book summarizes it for me: “Christ is the WAY as well as the truth and the life. When we don’t do it His way, we mess up the truth and miss out on the life.” I have almost drained a new green pen of ink just underlining important passages in this amazing book. I plan to re-read it every couple of years.
Steve Johnson, Russian Far East
The book I have recommended the most for the past few years is The Servant, by James Hunter. It is found in bookstores’ business section, and it is written by a Christian. Through the telling of a story, Hunter weaves some of the most simple but profound truths about Christian leadership that I have ever read. It is an easy read, and one that is well worth the time.
Clay Kirkland, University of Georgia Wesley Foundation
I recommend John Piper’s Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ (2004). It’s a thin book, but I find myself reading it over and over again for devotional purposes. It does just what the title says; it helps you see and savor Jesus Christ.
Bea McGuire
The book that I very highly recommend to all is Reconciliation Blues, by Edward Gilbreath. Absolutely essential for the building of the Body of Christ.
Grant Miller, Tanzania
In the category of missions, some of the most influential books for me have been Bruchko, by Bruce Olson, or any of Elisabeth Elliott’s books. (Her books were my springboard into missions and a deeper walk with the Lord early on in my life.) I am currently reading A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken, and it is powerful. Overall, the most influential book in my life is Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest.
Claire Mozley, Ghana
Jim Collin’s book Good to Great is a great read for leadership development. A must for every missionary is Andrew Walls’ book, The Missionary Movement in Christian History.
Michael Mozley, Ghana
The book we would like to recommend (and fits into all three categories) is Always Enough, by Heidi and Rolland Baker. When we absolutely had no idea what else to try with orphans and were spiritually burnt out, this book came to us. Through their life experiences of working with the poor in Indonesia, with drug addicts in Hong Kong, with the homeless in London, and with orphans in Mozambique (over a 25-year period), the authors had tried about everything. In their desperation, God found them and totally transformed them and their ministry. This book offered us hope and showed us a way.
Peter and Masha O., secure area
The Calling, by Brother Andrew, is an inspiration. Brother Andrew shares, not only his experiences with the persecuted church around the world, but he also outlines a process to recognize the way in which God is working in your life.
Carol Paige, Paraguay
The Contemplative Pastor, by Eugene Peterson, is directed at “pastors,” but it hit home with me, as a missionary who is also tempted to get caught up in the busyness and business of ministry.
Betsy Phillips, Bolivia
Renewal in Theological Education: Strategies for Change, by Robert W. Ferris has been very instructive in our ministry area of theological education and training.
Len Phillips, Bolivia
I remember staying up all night during our days in the Solomon Islands reading Elisabeth Elliot’s book, Through Gates of Splendor. It melted my heart. And it challenged me to give myself wholly to the Lord to fulfill His call on my life.
John Rentz, New Zealand
Celebration of Discipline, by Richard J. Foster, has had a huge impact on my spiritual journey. Foster says a lot of stuff that is biblically based but that, somehow in our culture, pastors seem often afraid to say to their congregations. Foster offers a deep look at these, what should be basic, issues and how they can be practically applied to our lives.
Adrian Rice, serving an internship
The book that I have been recommending very much is Don Richardson’s Eternity in Their Hearts. One reviewer offered this synopsis, “Don Richardson shows stories of people who said that they once knew the true God, but somehow either lost the Book, or lost contact with Him. One tribe said that they were sure that a light-skinned messenger would come someday to tell about the Son of God. So sure were they that they had appointed people to watch for these messengers. This paved the way for the actual missionaries to share Christ with them, which was accepted eagerly.”
Ben Reyes, Paraguay
I recommend Healing the Broken Family of Abraham: New Life for Muslims, by Don McCurry, and Secret Believers, by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen (2007). (Both are available from www.worldchristian.com.) Brother Andrew says ISLAM stands for I Sincerely Love All Muslims. He encourages prayer (“Let’s go on a prayer offensive!”) and forgiveness. Best part of Secret Believers is the last third, the application. John Eldridge’s books have been tremendously encouraging to me as a man, and as the father of a boy.
Randy R., secure area
A book I have recommended to many people lately is Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz. This book is funny, refreshingly honest, passionate, profound, and completely free of Christian jargon. I won’t tell you what it is about; just read it.
Jannike Seward, Zambia
I deeply appreciate The Africa Bible Commentary (2006), edited by Tokunboah Adeyemo (and have given out 18 of them to evangelists in Ghana). This commentary is very readable and offers orthodox, non-Western Bible commentary from 70 African scholars, and some insights on the scriptures Westerners would rarely ever see.
An older book that I found foundational to ministry from a Wesleyan perspective was The Radical Wesley and Patterns for Church Renewal, by Howard A. Snyder (who served as a missionary). It gives perspectives on how the Wesleyan Renewal of the 18th Century can offer insights for bringing about renewal in our day.
Kirk S. Sims, Ghana
Jesus and the Dissinherited, by Howard Thurman, is a small book but requires careful, concentrated reading. It offers a very non-white perspective. I believe anyone working with marginalized people in missions ought to read it carefully and discuss it with colleagues.
Rick Slingluff, Kenya
I recommend, They Found the Secret, by V. Raymond Edman. Through many of the testimonies in this book, God challenged and reminded me of His pursuit of me, and His desire for me to rely on His unfailing love and devotion to me. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” (I John 4:16)
Amanda Smith, Kenya
MK Favorites
Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown
Akua Buchanan, age 5, Ghana
Just in Case You Ever Wondered, by Max Lucado
Serwaa Buchanan, age 9, Ghana
There’s no better textbook than A Grief Observed, by C.S. Lewis, on processing emotions, and for questioning and challenging and falling into God when being human is inhuman.
Brian Beise, age 22, France
Without a doubt, the book I would recommend is The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom. I read it at least once a year, and it never ceases to teach me something. It seems like the more I grow in Christ, the more this book means to me. My mom recently bought me a really beautiful, hardback copy of it, but I can’t seem to stop reading from my old tattered paperback original. It has blessed me again and again.
Melissa Beise, age 19, France
Arctic Tale, by Donnali Fifield
James Dalenburg, age 7, Ghana
The Iliad, by Homer (reading for school)
Joseph Dalenburg, age 14, Ghana
The Wind in the Door series, by Madeline L’Engle
Samuel Dalenburg, age 10, Ghana
A simply delightful and engaging read: Ranger´s Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan, by John Flanagan. An excellent story, set in a medieval world, where good is right and bad is wrong. The war is between good and evil, and good triumphs! Anyone age eight and up should enjoy this book, but be forewarned: once you read this one, you´ll have to read the second, third, and fourth in the series! Happy reading!
Jon for the Herrin family, including children: Megan, age 15; Jessie, age 13; and Andrew, age 10, Venezuela
God used the book, Secrets of the Secret Place, by Bob Sorge, to teach me the importance of solitude in His presence, which has helped me mature beyond understanding in my relationship with Him.
Benjamin Ivey, age 18, Peru
The Power of One, a book about racism and apartheid in South Africa
Anna Mozley, age 18, Ghana
June B. Jones books
Luke Mozley, age 9, Ghana
My kids (ages 10 and 8) have really enjoyed Patricia St. Martin’s books, especially one we read together this summer, Star of Light.
Susan R., secure area
There is really not much question: Orthodoxy, by G.K. Chesterton.
Rebekah Ramsay, age 21 (Rebekah grew up on the mission field in Kazakhstan.)
More, more, more
20 more missionaries’ favorite reads
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, by Ruth Haley Barton and Sabbath Keeping, by Lynn M. Baab
Liz Boggess, Paraguay
Diffusion of Innovations, by Everett Rogers
Reid Buchanan, Ghana
The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis and Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien
Doug Burns, Costa Rica
Evangelism in the Wesleyan Spirit, by Albert Outler
Adam Dalenburg, Ghana
Jesus Among Other Gods, by Ravi Zacharias
Jennifer Dalenburg, Ghana
Power Healing, by John Wimber and Kevin Springer
Caren Dilts, University of Georgia Wesley Foundation
Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, by N. T. Wright and I and Thou, by Martin Buber
John Heinz, North America
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs
Katheryn Heinz, North America
Bruchko, by Bruce Olson and (for children): From Akebu to Zapotec, a Book of Bibleless People, by June Hathersmith
Sue Kolljeski, serving in the area of child advocacy on the Global Resource Team, based in the United States
Eternity in their Hearts, by Don Richardson, From Brokenness to Community, by Jean Vanier, and Passion for Jesus, by Mike Bickle
Steven and Shannon Mersinger, Brazil
Where Do We Go From Here? A Guidebook for the Cell Group Church, by Ralph Neighbor
Arthur Ivey, Peru
Restoring the Christian Soul, by LeAnne Payne
Susan R., secure area
Organic Church, by Neil Cole
Vaughn T. secure area
Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who speaks, by Brad Jersak
Stevanie W., West Africa
Guided reading list for missionaries
As part of their training, missionaries have some assigned reading. We thought you’d be interested in the books they encounter along their way.
People Raising, by William Dillon
The Faith That Compels Us, by H.T. Maclin (The Mission Society’s founding president)
Basic Christianity, by John Stott
Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
John Wesley for Today, by Steve Harper
Anthropological Insights for Missionaries, by Paul Hiebert
Living Proof, by Jim Peterson
Honourably Wounded, by Marjory Foyle
Ministering Cross-Culturally, by Sherwood Lingenfelter
Christianity and Culture, by Charles Kraft
Psychology of Missionary Adjustment, by Marge Jones
Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
The Lost Art of Disciple Making, by Leroy Eims
Tell it Well, by J.T. Seamands
The Bondage Breaker, by Neil Anderson
Where there is No Doctor, by David Werner
AMA Family Medical Guide, by Random House
