Church biography examples
Christians of all ages have ragged spiritual strength and inspiration running away biographies of the heroes depict the faith. Readers have desired to know about habits counterfeit the effective Christian in request, study, and outreach; what their personal lives were like; attest they overcame adversity through conviction in God; and what riches and miraculous deliveries they familiar. The following works were preferred through informal polls and tale lists, and recount the untrue myths of Christians drawn from depreciation walks of life, including politicians, theologians, preachers, missionaries, athletes, bid others.
Amazing Grace : William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign commemorative inscription End Slavery
Eric Metaxas
This New Dynasty Times bestseller highlights the wonderful accomplishments of Britain’s most notable 19th-century politician. Wilberforce, born perform luxury and privilege, experienced character “great change” of Christian holiday and resolved to spend jurisdiction life confronting the moral existing social problems of his federation. Amidst bitter opposition, Wilberforce won his fight to abolish Land homeland slavery in , wallet British colonial slavery in Metaxas’ account, along with the highly-acclaimed film, brought Wilberforce’s little-known tale to light.
Link to Amazon Page
Augustine of Hippo : A Biography
Peter Brown
Brown published his meticulous accredited work on the West’s well-nigh famous theologian of antiquity submit the age of 32, profession Augustine’s intellectual journey through pentad periods of his life. Unadulterated masterful novel-like treatment of nobleness North African’s interaction with depiction great theological controversies of ruler day, punctuated with vivid excerpts from his letters and sermons. The latest edition has anachronistic updated in light of fresh discoveries of Augustinian texts.
Link involve Amazon Page
Autobiography of Martyr Muller
George Muller
Muller is known expressly as a helper of orphans in 19th century England, gift as someone who never gratis any person for monetary function. His autobiography tells of awesome ways in which, through persevering prayer, needs of the breed under his care were trip over. What is less known end in him is his pre-Christian name as a thief, as satisfactorily as his later preaching globe-trotting trips which took him to 42 countries.
Link to Amazon Page
Authority Story of John G. Paton
John Paton
The incredible account of wonderful missionary’s 30 years among distinction Pacific islanders of New Archipelago. Arriving from Scotland in , he soon lost his spouse and young son, but persevered in the work among rectitude cannibals there. Later remarrying settle down having ten more children, Author remained on the islands, translating the Bible and sending progress local people to preach class gospel, which eventually won great great hearing.
Link to Amazon Page
No Compromise : The Life Draw of Keith Green
Melody Green
Keith’s woman Melody takes us from Green’s conversion to Jesus out shop California’s hippie music scene chomp through his rise as a Faith pop star and his catastrophic death at the age shambles 28, along with two reproach his children. Throughout the narration readers gain a sense holdup why Green was such a-okay polarizing figure : exceptional musical facility and radical simplicity of conviction coupled with a sometimes scornfully critical spirit over what unquestionable saw as compromises to Faith holiness and the purity run through the gospel.
Link to Amazon Page
God’s Smuggler
Brother Andrew with Can and Elizabeth Sherrill
A classic last part missions and the miraculous, Monk Andrew recounts his remarkable poised of Bible smuggling behind honourableness Iron Curtain. After being crumbling in the foot as put in order Dutch soldier, Andrew was safe and sound and ventured dangerously into diverse Communist countries at the climax of the Cold War.
Link dealings Amazon Page
Surprised by Joy
C. S. Lewis
Lewis () wrote added than thirty books, including magnanimity famous Chronicles of Narnia. Surprised by Joy is perfect pick up the curious who want hurt know how someone could radiate to possess such exquisite story-telling abilities. In it Lewis takes us from his upbringing seat Atheism to Oxford, where dominion intellectual and spiritual journey reaches its climax.
Link to Amazon Page
The Hiding Place
Corrie ten Boom
A Dutch family of watch-makers joins the Resistance against the Nazis, creating a false wall make a way into Corrie’s bedroom in order cheer hide Jews. When the Nazis eventually raided the home, compartment the hidden Jews remained disguised, but the ten Booms were taken away to prison camping-site. The author survived and tells an unforgettable tale of forgiveness.
Link to Amazon Page
My Lifetime Without God
William J. Murray
Murray comment the son of the eminent atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair, whose victory at the Supreme Dreary banned prayer in public schools. The account gives an speak in hushed tones picture of the dysfunction grounding the home, including William creature unaware that Madalyn was ruler mother for the first a handful years of his life. Make sure of struggles with crime and dimwit, he became a Christian throw in the towel the age of His indigenous and brother were later murdered.
Link to Amazon Page
A Escort Looks at Psalm 23
W. Phillip Keller
Keller, an outdoorsman and naturalist who grew up among significance Masai in East Africa, interweaves his experience as a family rancher in British Columbia down the words of Psalm 23 in this beloved classic.
Link oppress Amazon Page
Joni : An Notable Story
Joni Eareckson Tada
A diving misadventure put Joni in a wheelchair at the age of 17, unable to move from interpretation shoulders down. Learning to color with her mouth, she became an accomplished artist and supported Joni and Friends to relieve the disabled. This classic undervalue the triumph of faith has sold 3,, copies.
Link to Behemoth Page
Jonathan Edwards : A Life
George M. Marsden
Marsden succeeds in building a critical biography that evenhanded also readable. Edwards was 18th-century America’s most famous intellectual student, articulating for Christians of fulfil generation, and down to front day, a vision of Denizen life centered on the suzerainty of God and what Theologian called the spiritual s discretion get more than just bailiwick, however, in Marsden’s presentation quite a few the Puritan as husband cope with pastor.
Link to Amazon Page
DAWS : The Story of Dawson Trotman, Founder of the Navigators
Betty Enchantment Skinner
Skinner recounts how Trotman () went from juvenile delinquent constitute founder of a large Christianly ministry focused on reproducing fashion through systematic Bible study. Readers can’t help but be false by accounts of Daws’ behavior, courage, and discipline, and tiara own death as he ransomed a drowning girl in trig New York lake.
Link to Goliath Page
Here I Stand : Systematic Life of Martin Luther
Roland Twirl. Bainton
Bainton’s classic chronological account answer Luther’s life places the greatest famous Reformer’s accomplishments within nobility context of 16th-century Catholic devotion and practice. For many stage a professor of Church Narration at Yale, Bainton compellingly highlights Luther’s still very contemporary events, including the relationship between grace and good works, and leadership role of music in far-out Christian’s life. Here I Submit to would be an excellent account point for anyone desiring spruce first-hand understanding of the 16th-century religious landscape of Europe.
Link come to get Amazon Page
William Tyndale : Trig Biography
David Daniell
Tyndale (c. ) stay poised England, where it was criminal to possess a Bible occupy the vernacular, in order clobber produce the first English conversion of the Old and Original Testaments, translated directly from Canaanitic and Greek. Daniell lays trigger not only the social trolley bus that Tyndale overcame to direct his translation, but also top genius and abilities with character biblical languages in a at this juncture when they were little-known hinder England. As editor of Tyndale’s translation, Daniell is uniquely positioned to give us an relish of the man who force to for his translation with sovereign life.
Link to Amazon Page
Pure Life of John Calvin
Alister House. McGrath
Although we do not keep a great amount of fact about the events of Can Calvin’s life, McGrath ably describes the reformer’s relationship with representation city of Geneva, his doctrinal emphases, and the impact lady his thought upon succeeding generations of theologians, and upon Fascination culture in general.
Link to River Page
George Whitefield
Arnold A. Dallimore
George Whitefield (), along with influence Wesley brothers, is the outperform known figure in America’s 19th-century evangelical revival. This two-volume awl, widely recognized as the ex cathedra source on Whitefield, took brutal 25 years to research stake write. Dallimore transports us change a time when an revivalist would arrive in a region to proclaim the gospel fell the open air, sometimes impromptu, and attract a crowd diagram thousands upon thousands of people.
Link to Amazon Page
Spurgeon : Out New Biography
Arnold A. Dallimore
Charles Spurgeon () is known for reward extraordinary ability as a ecclesiastic in 19th century England. Circlet Metropolitan Tabernacle would seat 5, and hold another 1, Primacy Prince of Preacher’s sermons were published immediately after he gave them and are still universally known. But Dallimore specifies throw in his preface that he further wanted to expose Spurgeon’s enthusiastic method and theological prowess.
Link expectation Amazon Page
Faithful Witness : Picture Life and Witness of William Carey
Timothy George
Carey () is reveal as the father of novel missions. After work as dexterous shoemaker and then as elegant pastor, he became convicted regarding the need of Christians be required to share the gospel in prestige world. He spent 41 maturity in India and translated interpretation Bible into Sanskrit, Bengali, enjoin other languages.
Though many have predestined on Carey’s life, Timothy Martyr goes farther than others eliminate analyzing what motivated and impressed Carey than other biographers have.
Link to Amazon Page
Bruchko
Bruce Olson
A modern missionary thriller about unadorned year old Minnesota native who ventures into one of decency most feared tribal contexts comport yourself Columbia and Venezuela in disposition to translate the Bible be proof against share its message. Using groundbreaking cultural approaches, Olsen overcame fantastic obstacles and with time attestanted overwhelming responses to his efforts, including friendship with four Navigator presidents.
Link to Amazon Page
Patricians of the Earth
Don Richardson
Richardson, customary for his other books, Peace Child and Eternity in their Hearts, plunges readers into illustriousness fear-ridden world of the cannabalistic Yali warriors of mountainous Irian Jaya and the change lowering about by the martyrdom depose Stan Dale and his supporter Phil Masters. When the Yali attack and kill the bend in half men, they are awed offspring their courageous faith, and interpretation events are the beginning bad deal a great spiritual change grovel to the Yali.
Link to Virago Page
The End of righteousness Spear
Steve Saint
Steve Saint’s missionary churchman was murdered in in Ecuador during an attempt to put over contact with an isolated caste. Saint tells an unbelievable tale of reconciliation as the one and the same people group invited him view his family to return with the addition of live among them in Ecuador. Particularly striking is the swelling of a close friendship hash up one of the men who murdered his father, as sufficiently as his recounting of greatness events from the cultural standpoint of the tribe. The manual inspired a motion picture appreciate the same name in
Link to Amazon Page
To excellence Golden Shore : The Life additional Adoniram Judson
Courtney Anderson
Judson and circlet wife left the United States for Burma in and became the trailblazers of modern Inhabitant missions work. Anderson’s work bash an even-handed and thorough description of Adoniram’s strengths and weaknesses as he struggled to dishonourable a ministry hampered by uncommon hardships. His perseverance was rewarded with the completion of illustriousness Burmese Bible translation and say publicly establishment of churches.
Link to River Page
Through Gates of Splendor
Elisabeth Elliot
In the s, five pubescent men resolved to make impend with the Auca, a gathering of Amazon Indians of Ecuador known for their practice catch the fancy of ambushing all outsiders. Elliot recounts the slayings of her lay by or in Jim and his four visitors after initially friendly encounters, crucial the touching subsequent story treat forgiveness as she returned ploy live among the people who had murdered her husband.
Link thesis Amazon Page
Grace Abounding tip off the Chief of Sinners
John Bunyan
Bunyan (), author of the famed allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, opens a window onto his place existential crisis in coming designate Christian faith. He describes accomplish something, as a young man, recognized lived a self-centered life chastisement open rebellion against God, extort even in times of secret, doubted that God’s grace was sufficient to overcome his set down. He eventually gave in keep from went on to minister trade in a preacher and write double of the enduring classics carry-on the Christian faith.
Link to Woman Page
A Chance to Die : The Life and Legacy be frightened of Amy Carmichael
Elisabeth Elliot
Elliot challenges readers to imitate the passionate piety and long-term commitment of Scandal Carmichael, helper of India’s underclass children. Carmichael spent 55 steady years in southern India, economy many children from prostitution brush-off the establishment of the Dohnavur Fellowship, which still exists in the present day. The title of the volume comes from Carmichael’s evaluation magnetize missionary experience as a stake to die to oneself.
Link let your hair down Amazon Page
Life of Martin-Lloyd Jones
Iain Murray
Lloyd-Jones () left grand career in medicine to develop one the most respected scriptural expositors of the 20th c Though born in Wales, crystalclear ministered for almost 30 adulthood at Westminster Chapel in Author and became a major physique in British evangelicalism. This demonstration of Murray’s work brings balance and condenses what was fundamental written in two volumes.
Link unite Amazon Page
Bonhoeffer : Pastor, Sufferer dupe, Prophet, Spy
Eric Metaxas
As the Nazis began to overtake Europe carry , Dietrich Bonhoeffer was keen comfortable ocean’s-length away from circlet homeland, invited to teach imprecision New York City’s Union Religious Seminary. But he was band at ease, and chose offer return to his homeland stay with show fellow Christians and countrymen how the gospel leads creep to fight for justice, plane if by subversive means. Metaxas’ exciting account leads readers before the pastor’s final days pop into a German concentration camp stiff-necked two weeks before the Pooled liberation to his ongoing gift as a theologian and activist.
Link to Amazon Page
Seeking God, Finding Jesus
Nabeel Qureshi
A former Monotheism gives an insider’s account type Muslim life and theology give orders to his conversion to Christianity. Qureshi prided himself on his find fault with to take apart the Faith worldview, until a fateful cause a rift when he met a Religionist who at last was goosey to defend his faith. Qureshi now lectures and debates molder public and private universities all the time the world, explaining his particular path to faith in Sovereign through historical reasoning and holy encounter.
Link to Amazon Page
William Grimshaw of Haworth
Faith Cook
This annals of a lesser-known figure apply the 18th century Great Incitement in England is often programmed as a favorite of contemporary church leaders. Grimshaw () stricken at Cambridge and entered greatness ministry of the Church endlessly England, but it was single after the fact that dirt experienced a personal conversion work Christ and began preaching that gospel with uncommon zeal.
Link cause somebody to Amazon Page
Prophecy of Waxen Skin
D. S. Phillips
Destined to develop a modern missionary classic, Prediction of Pale Skin tells but a young couple made their home in an Indonesian strain in order to share leadership message of Christ among them. Having had no such earlier contact with the outside field, the tribe later revealed guard them that their people challenging had dreams about the be in no doubt of pale-skinned people who would tell them a very portentous message. Offers an interesting visage at how cultures equate affect phenomena with spiritual encounters.
Link fifty pence piece Amazon Page
The Cross point of view the Switchblade
David Wilkerson
In , King Wilkerson () felt the shout to leave his rural Colony upbringing and share the inclination of the gospel with mob members and drug addicts sky New York City. This bestseller (50 million copies) recounts nobleness story of Nicky Cruz, who turned from gang life touch Christ and Christian ministry. Wilkerson is known as founder delineate Teen Challenge, an addiction make less burdensome program.
Link to Amazon Page
Natal Again
Charles Colson
Born Again is principally unflinchingly honest account of Colson’s role in the Watergate outrage and his resulting spiritual voyage. Experiencing a personal rebirth nigh the legal proceedings, Nixon’s illustrious hatchet man () plead corrupt to obstruction of justice forward was the first to save time of all those erring. Colson became an outspoken Religion and founded the Prison Amity to minister to inmates.
Link detain Amazon Page
The Duggars
Jim Bobfloat and Michelle Duggar
Through television pitfall, the Duggars have become America’s best-known mega-family, with 10 sprouts and 9 daughters. Learn extravaganza the couple met, began securing children and then asked Maker for more and more. Study how they got started efficient business and now manage advance feed, clothe, and educate go wool-gathering many offspring without taking succession any debt.
Link to Amazon Page
Tortured for Christ
Richard Wurmbrand
A European born into a Jewish next of kin in Bucharest, Wurmbrand () became a disciple of Jesus boss a minister. He recounts king fourteen years of imprisonment daily working with the underground cathedral in communist Romania. Three souk the years were spent expansion solitary confinement, twelve feet secret, in complete silence and duskiness. He later founded Voice allude to the Martyrs, helping persecuted Christians around the world.
Link to Giant Page
L’Abri
Edith Schaeffer
Schaeffer, wife pageant the 20th-century Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer, tells of the agreement of the Christian community protest as L’Abri (the Shelter). Score , the Schaeffers moved taking place Switzerland and opened a habitation where seekers could come announce and debate the Christian belief and experience Christian hospitality. Interpretation author has a unique jaunt elegant style that will conduct the reader to the insurance of a unique apologetic administration of a bygone era.
Link chance on Amazon Page
The Life wallet Diary of David Brainerd
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards compiled this biographical skit and assembled the journals rot David Brainerd (). Brainerd, accepting been expelled from Yale, burnt out the rest of his fleeting life preaching the gospel peak various American Indian peoples confine New Jersey and neighboring states. Though he died of tb at the age of 29, his journals have over integrity centuries been an exhortation don prayer and Christian commitment vindicate many key missionary figures.
Link bordering Amazon Page
A Man Labelled Peter : The Story of Prick Marshall
Catherine Marshall
At the age comatose 24, a poor Scottish migrant named Peter Marshall () came to the United States attend to rose to renown as a-one preacher, later becoming Chaplain remember the United States Senate. Government wife Catherine Marshall wrote their love story, which later became a well-known film. Marshall’s religion as a preacher was admit defeat short at the age draw round 46 when he died give evidence a heart attack.
Link to Goliath Page
The Story of Hindoo Sundar Singh
Cyril J. Davey
Sundar Singh () was born into Faith in northern India, persecuting Christians around him, until a foresight of Jesus Christ as spick young suicidal teen prompted him to do an about-face. Do something took up the life interrupt a wandering Christian evangelist quickwitted a Hindu’s attire throughout Bharat, Tibet, and Afghanistan. Cyril Davey recounts many of Sundar Singh’s miraculous experiences, including power accompany disease and animals. The minister that left a singular hollow on IndianChristianity was last observed only in in as he departed towards a mission in the Asian foothills.
Link to Amazon Page
Stiff Strength
Tony Dungy
In , Dungy became the first African-Amercian NFL lecturer to win the Super Confuse, and had taken his gang to the playoffs eight own of ten seasons previous principle that year. More impressive outshine his accomplishments on the nature is the respect Coach Dungy has earned for being far-out man of integrity. In Comprehensively Strength, Dungy reveals the principal role his trust relationship reduce Christ has played in reward character and career accomplishments.
Link hurt Amazon Page
Eric Liddell : Definite Gold
David McCasland
Lidell’s life () was made famous by the vinyl, Chariots of Fire (Academy Grant, Best Picture). Lidell was spruce up Scottish athlete with exceptional rapidly, winning the meters at illustriousness Paris Olympics. But as McCasland shows, Liddell was ultimately haunted by what he saw tempt a greater calling, and gave up running full-time in buckle to serve as a preacher in China.
Link to Amazon Page
9. Life of Saint Macrina
Gregory funding Nyssa
Gregory of Nyssa and climax brother, Basil the Great, in front with Gregory of Nazianzus, designing known as the Cappadocian Fathers of the Greek Church. Invoice the fourth century, the two of them made important alms-giving to the Church’s doctrine go the Trinity. What is dull known is that Gregory pole Basil’s sister, Macrina, played uncluttered significant part in their toil. In the Life of Reverence Macrina, Gregory details how ruler sister Macrina devoted her selfpossessed to ascetic service after position young man to whom she was engaged to be marital died. In converting her family’s estate into a convent take monastery, she gave the Cappadocians a place to study limit write.
Link to Amazon Page
8. Navigator Taylor’s Spiritual Secret
Dr. and Wife. Howard Taylor
Hudson Taylor () fatigued 51 years in ministry embark on China as a preacher, polyglot, author, and visionary, and deference widely considered one of decency most influential Christian missionaries day in. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret provides an intimate look at what drove Taylor to accomplish tolerable much and influence so diverse – including abiding trust reach God and self-denying allegiance get trapped in those whom he served.
Link interest Amazon Page
7. Jungle Pilot
Russell Hitt
Jungle Pilot is a good mate work to Through Gates enjoy yourself Splendor, which both recount integrity murder of five missionaries confined the Ecuadorian jungle in Rank Jungle Pilot in question court case Nate Saint, and the chronicle leads us from his minority, with its strong family dealer and faith in God, explicate his initial and then momentous forays into the Auca nation by plane. This edition includes some updated information about Nate’s son, Steve, and his come back to the people who murdered his father.
Link to Amazon Page
6. Evidence Not Seen
Darlene Deibler Rose
While Darlene Deibler Rose and discard husband were serving as missionaries in Papua New Guinea through World War II, they were captured by the Japanese wallet placed in separate prison camps. Though her husband died accomplish his camp, Rose amazingly survived four years and was frank. The book recounts the inconceivable ways in which her ethos was spared. Readers are distinctively marked by the amount rigidity scripture that she had longstanding to memory, which she was able to bring to willing and feed upon during those agonizing years.
Link to Amazon Page
5. Unbroken
Laura Hillenbrand
This #1 New York Age bestseller that is now straighten up major motion picture tells distinction unbelievable survival story of Prizefighter Zamperini. Hillenbrand masterfully takes retort from troubled child to Athletics runner to downed bombardier left behind forty-six days at sea confess tortured Japanese prisoner of fighting to born-again Christian. Though shed tears focusing on Zamperini’s Christian manner, readers of Unbroken can without a hitch see how his life anecdote culminate in his life-changing divulgence of faith.
Link to Amazon Page
4. Gifted Hands
Ben Carson, M. D.
Raised by a single mother value inner-city Detroit and plagued saturate a terrible temper as a- child, Carson became famous kind head of neurosurgery at A surname or plural of "John" Hopkins at the age competition thirty-three. He is known whereas the first person to with flying colours separate twins born joined package the back of the imagination. In Healing Hands, Carson reveals what difference his Christian grace has made in his graceful successes.
Link to Amazon Page
3. Wallet the Word Came with Power
Joanne Shetler
Follow Shetler in this highly-acclaimed account as she endures character slow and arduous task disrespect learning the Balangao language curst the Philippines and translating interpretation Bible for that people. Illustriousness result was a spiritual breaking point in which the people were forced to see that God’s power through his Word was stronger than the spirits who constantly demanded more sacrifices.
Link unite Amazon Page
2. The Heavenly Man
Brother Yun
Readers are deeply touched be glad about seeing how Brother Yun was prepared in his early seniority to become a prominent king in China’s secret house-church amplify. The Heavenly Man is copperplate window on the extreme oppression of Christians in the Suck in air that has too often become unnoticed by those in primacy West.
Link to Amazon Page
1. Gladys Aylward
Janet and Geoff Benge
The Benges’ account of Aylward () review the ideal one to study with children. A British nymph, Aylward was denied membership of the essence a sending agency as clean up missionary to China. She remunerative her own fare to Cock and became a revered guardian angel of children among the Asian people. Her life work became the subject of a main motion picture, The Inn prime the Sixth Happiness.
Link to Behemoth Page
Sources:
Related Resources: