Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose (Christian Heroes: Then and Now)

This is a great series that can be enjoyed by young children and adults. I used them as part of the training for a short term missions campaign. Each of the fourteen team members read a different biography in this series and then reported to the rest of the team. It was reminder that the training topics we were learning were relevant and lived out by the faithful and fruitful missionaries introduced by this series of biographies. For many of the team this was their first introduction to reading Christian biography and they loved it!Positives of this series:1) Great introductory overviews of the lives and ministries of the individuals.2) Basic reading level for an increasingly illiterate culture3) Short enough to be read quickly in a culture with an increasingly short attention span4) Available in Kindle and audio book for the technologically inclined5) Well written and holds your attention without being exaggerated and exploitative6) Chapters are short and can easily be read to children at bedtime or by adults on lunch breaksNegatives of this series:1) Due to their brevity and target audience the series does not deal with the more negative aspects of an individual's struggles with sin and the weaknesses in their personality as sinners saved by grace.2) Does not come across as hagiography (so idealizing the person that it borders on idolatry) but these introductions are not the place to get the full picture of these godly but imperfect champions for God. Instead they are great springboards to more extensive biographies that deal with the fuller picture of these heroic but very human Christ followers.

I appreciate how the Benges take various sources to write a new biography of people I've already read about many times. Ever really bring there people's lives to life! Their George Mueller bio is one of my favorites. I have over 40 of their books and have loved all of them. I heard they are written for youth, but I'm a grandpa and I like them too. <><

Story was written well and held the attention of my 5, 7, and 9 year old children. It created great discussion opportunities.

Such a wonderful book about an incredible man. A must read!

We have read many of these books and enjoy every one of them. We started with George Mueller. Some in the series are a little over the recommended age, in my opinion. I just skip little bits so they're not too graphic. These books are good for adults or to be read to the kids by mom or dad. They are all very inspiring and exciting. My sons are always asking me to keep reading! They seem to all be different stories of Mark 16:15

...this series is not for you. All very man centered. Jim and crew basically made things happen because of their desires...I had to stop reading to my kids for fear they would get the wrong impression of who's behind those desires and "achievements."Very sad that God is not given FULL glory in all aspects of this book and Jim's life.Looking to find a more God centered series of missionary stories...

Christian grandparents . . . there are Christian heros whose biographies would widen the vision of your grandchildren, establish Christian values and inspir them to live with courage and honor. My husband (grandpa Scott) and I read one in the car on the way to visit the kids. We loved it, and had a shared experience with the kids. We got the book in print as well as putting it on a Kindle. Great spiritual investment!

My 11-year-old son's review: "It gives you a whole new look at missionary work among the tribes in the South American countries. I should know I live in South America, in Brazil."

Interesting have met his wife so it makes it more special.