John Williams: Messenger of Peace

Christian Heroes: Then & Now #17

by Janet Benge, Geoff Benge

The thousands of islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean were home to fierce warriors and cannibals who sacrificed their children to the many gods they worshiped. A few islands had been dramatically transformed by the gospel, but thousands more were waiting for someone to come and teach them about the one true God.

John Williams dedicated his life to bringing the message of Christ's love and peace to these brutal islands. In the face of constant danger, he discipled and inspired Polynesians to go as missionaries to their neighbors, ultimately giving his life to see the gospel spread across the vast Pacific (1796-1839).

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, History, Religion, Faith, Christianity

196 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story of an Englishman who sacrificed his life to spread Christianity to the South Pacific Islands in the early 1800s. When the organization wouldn’t provide a ship as he recommended, he built one with only the materials found on a small island.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story.

[Zandri]

A really remarkable story!

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars [Biography]
(W 3.04, P 3.43, T 3)
Exact rating: 3.16

On the gospel coming to the Polynesian islands. Good enough to make me want to read Williams's own account.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tough one. While it seems that John Williams had an interesting life and was really important to spreading the Gospel to the South Pacific islands, this YWAM book is lacking. Some of their books are really good, but some of them read more like lists of events, and this book is the latter. I guess for the ones that did so much it's hard to fit into their regular 15 to 17 chapters. There were a couple passages that spoke of his faith, but mostly it was "He went to this island, then that island..." So I guess this could be a decent introduction book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Williams went to the S. Pacific islands around 1820. I just can't get over the hardship. Mary his wife had 9 children, only 2 survived past infancy, actually past birth.

The London Missionary Society had a strange rule that the missionaries could not buy a boat. I could not figure out why they had that regulation, not even a guideline. Well, it was 200 years ago.

I understand that Mormons have made some significant inroads among the S. Pacific Islanders. At the time John Williams was there, there was yet a Mormon religion.

[Will Norrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of John Williams was very encouraging, but I feel this book was one of the weaker ones I have read in this series. The Polynesian names were difficult to keep track of at times, and I felt that the same experience was repeated in a similar way on each new island.
These issues with the story do not at all lessen the Williams family’s work or commitment to this pioneering field.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses the life of John Williams, a British missionary in the Polynesian islands in the Pacific. Williams served for 2 decades as a missionary; however, upon his return to the islands, he and several of his fellow missionaries were eaten by cannibals.

The book was read by Tim Gregory.

[Shonda Knowlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book covering the mission efforts in the South Pacific. But too many strange names and lots of traveling back and forth among the different islands was confusing. I was extremely sad at how this man perished given the wonderful acceptance from so many islanders.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing man, & a love for the Polynesians

[Robert Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of John Williams is thrilling and I especially love how it jumps directly into his life and how God used him for the spreading of the kingdom. All glory be to God.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a life. What a man… and his wife… and their oldest son. Heart emojis all around.

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this entire series. The life of John Williams is one my favorite. A man of faith that did not let any obstacles stop him from advancing the Gospel.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Audio

Might need a break from the series. This one felt more like a documentary or list than a story. 🤷‍♀️

[Tomasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

https://atypowy.com/2021/05/20/john-w...

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was an awesome book. It had action and a unexpected ending.