Book List for Intro to World Missions
When Pete taught Intro to World Missions, I made a book list of recommended books for his class. Most of these are life long favorites that I recommend repeatedly.
Missionary Biographies
Brucko by Bruce Olson
Nineteen year old Bruce Olson lives with a stone age tribe to bring them the gospel.
Don’t Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees by Thomas Hale
Medical missionaries in Nepal. Humorous, well-written stories about culture and personal growth.
On the Far Side of Liglig Mountatin by Thomas Hale
More stories of medical missions in Nepal.
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliott
Five missionaries were martyred in Ecuador while trying to reach a savage tribe. Written by the widow of one of the martyrs.
A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliott
The story of Amy Carmichal, missionary to India who rescued girls from the atrocities of the Hinduism.
And the Word Came with Power by Joann Shetler
Wycliffe Bible Translator in the Philippines explains about culture and spiritual lessons.
God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
One man’s experiences getting God’s Word into Communist Russia.
Other Biographies
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
A Christian family in Holland hides Jews from the Germans. Stories of imprisonment and forgiveness.
Joni by Joni Eareckson
A diving accident at age 17 leaves Joni a quadriplegic. Her spiritual journey.
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun and Paul Hattaway
A Christian pastor in China sees God work miracles in the midst of harsh persecution.
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Quereshi
Nabeel’s spiritual journey growing up in a devout Muslim home and confronting the realities of Chrisitanity.
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
A transparent look at the culture of poverty how a single mom paved a way out for her two sons.
Other Helpful Books
5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
The five top reasons why teams don’t work and what to do about them.
Reading Personality by Anne Bogel
Short summaries of some popular personality frameworks and how understanding yourself makes life better.
On Being a Missionary by Thomas Hale
Transparent, practical explanation of what missionaries face and common obstacles to overcome.
Margin by Richard Swenson
The importance of not using all your resources and leaving yourself bankrupt. Includes money, time, emotional and other resources.
Love and Respect by Emerson Eggeriches
What men and women need from their spouses. Foundational understanding for building a strong marriage.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The five main ways people express love and how to understand which way communicates best to individuals.
Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make by Hans Finzel
Common pitfalls that leaders fall into. Helpful as a cautionary tale.
Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet
Healthy, effective leadership principles learned and practiced by a sub commander.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Timeless principles for living life well with yourself and others.
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brent Harris
Aimed at teenagers as a challenge to confront the status quo and impact the world by taking the high road.
At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenrider
Tsh and her husband took their three children and circled the globe. The book traces their journey as well as Tsh’s reflections on travel, life and personal growth.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
A challenge to live gratefully by systematically noting what you’re thankful for. Written in poetic style.
