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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #17
John Williams: Messenger of Peace
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).
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).
196 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
About the author
Janet Benge
147 books331 followersJanet 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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 21, 2025
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.
October 26, 2018
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.
July 24, 2026
Excellent.
I smiled, laughed, groaned, and my heart ached with pain.
I want to learn more about this man, about the missionaries he inspired to go to their neighboring islands, and farther, and farther to share about Jesus.
He reminded me of Paul, planting churches, returning to encourage, but always pushing farther and farther. Determined to share Jesus with everyone. Inspiring those around him to do the same.
I smiled, laughed, groaned, and my heart ached with pain.
I want to learn more about this man, about the missionaries he inspired to go to their neighboring islands, and farther, and farther to share about Jesus.
He reminded me of Paul, planting churches, returning to encourage, but always pushing farther and farther. Determined to share Jesus with everyone. Inspiring those around him to do the same.
May 13, 2021
Lovely story.
Read
March 6, 2024A really remarkable story!
June 28, 2025
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.
(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.
August 6, 2020
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.
These issues with the story do not at all lessen the Williams family’s work or commitment to this pioneering field.
June 9, 2026
I just finished reading The Life of John Williams while walking the Las Vegas Strip at 2:30 in the morning — charging my car at the Bellagio, then walking back to the Signature through the neon chaos of Vegas. Oddly enough, it felt like the perfect setting to read about a man sailing into the unknown South Pacific over a century ago.
John Williams was one of the great missionary adventurers of the 1800s. The book is part travel story, part survival tale, part leadership lesson, and part tragedy. He traveled from island to island across the South Pacific meeting tribes, chiefs, and warlords who lived in worlds completely different from his own. What struck me most was not fearlessness, but humility. He walked into cultures most people in Europe viewed as “savage,” yet he treated people with dignity and tried to improve their lives however he could — building homes, teaching practical skills, helping with medicine, literacy, agriculture, and sharing his faith.
One thing the book captures well is how complicated history really is. Some outsiders had previously come to these islands driven by greed, exploitation, disease, and violence. Because of that, trust was shattered long before Williams arrived. Yet he still kept going island after island, believing people deserved hope instead of exploitation.
There’s also something deeply moving about how ahead of his time he felt. Reading about him interacting with entirely different cultures almost reminded me of first-contact science fiction — like humanity encountering another civilization. It made me think about the writings of and his thoughts about other worlds and how God might reveal Himself differently across creation. Williams seemed to understand that reaching people starts with humility, not superiority.
The ending hit hard. Near the end of the book, you realize there are only a few chapters left, yet Williams is still young, energetic, full of plans, full of life. Then comes the terrible final voyage to Erromango. He was attacked, clubbed to death, and cannibalized at only 43 years old. It’s gruesome, yes — but also strangely sobering because the story never feels cynical. He knew the risks and went anyway.
And honestly, that’s why some Christian biographies are greater adventure stories than fiction. Real storms. Real danger. Real sacrifice. No Hollywood script needed.
The South Pacific settings alone make this book unforgettable — beautiful islands, tribal conflicts, ocean voyages, and encounters between worlds that barely understood one another. But underneath all of it is a deeper question about courage, service, and what it means to give your life for something bigger than yourself.
Highly recommended if you enjoy missionary biographies set in Pirates of the Caribbean and in the land of Middle Earth with many exploratory history lessons, leadership under pressure, or true adventure stories of cannibals eating missionaries.
John Williams was one of the great missionary adventurers of the 1800s. The book is part travel story, part survival tale, part leadership lesson, and part tragedy. He traveled from island to island across the South Pacific meeting tribes, chiefs, and warlords who lived in worlds completely different from his own. What struck me most was not fearlessness, but humility. He walked into cultures most people in Europe viewed as “savage,” yet he treated people with dignity and tried to improve their lives however he could — building homes, teaching practical skills, helping with medicine, literacy, agriculture, and sharing his faith.
One thing the book captures well is how complicated history really is. Some outsiders had previously come to these islands driven by greed, exploitation, disease, and violence. Because of that, trust was shattered long before Williams arrived. Yet he still kept going island after island, believing people deserved hope instead of exploitation.
There’s also something deeply moving about how ahead of his time he felt. Reading about him interacting with entirely different cultures almost reminded me of first-contact science fiction — like humanity encountering another civilization. It made me think about the writings of and his thoughts about other worlds and how God might reveal Himself differently across creation. Williams seemed to understand that reaching people starts with humility, not superiority.
The ending hit hard. Near the end of the book, you realize there are only a few chapters left, yet Williams is still young, energetic, full of plans, full of life. Then comes the terrible final voyage to Erromango. He was attacked, clubbed to death, and cannibalized at only 43 years old. It’s gruesome, yes — but also strangely sobering because the story never feels cynical. He knew the risks and went anyway.
And honestly, that’s why some Christian biographies are greater adventure stories than fiction. Real storms. Real danger. Real sacrifice. No Hollywood script needed.
The South Pacific settings alone make this book unforgettable — beautiful islands, tribal conflicts, ocean voyages, and encounters between worlds that barely understood one another. But underneath all of it is a deeper question about courage, service, and what it means to give your life for something bigger than yourself.
Highly recommended if you enjoy missionary biographies set in Pirates of the Caribbean and in the land of Middle Earth with many exploratory history lessons, leadership under pressure, or true adventure stories of cannibals eating missionaries.
November 5, 2025
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.
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.
February 7, 2025
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.
The book was read by Tim Gregory.
February 12, 2026
Born 1796 in England. Metal worker for London Missionary Society. He traveled from island to island in the Pacific, encouraging peace, teaching the people to read, translating the Bible, helping the people trade, and introducing useful crops. He built multiple boats and houses basically from scratch. Had 10 children. Martyred 1839 while trying to reach a new Pacific Islands.
June 10, 2021
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.
October 21, 2022
Amazing man, & a love for the Polynesians
February 16, 2024
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.
March 17, 2024
Wow. What a life. What a man… and his wife… and their oldest son. Heart emojis all around.
December 5, 2025
3.5* Audio
Might need a break from the series. This one felt more like a documentary or list than a story. 🤷♀️
Might need a break from the series. This one felt more like a documentary or list than a story. 🤷♀️
April 26, 2026
Simply a list of facts with very little emotion. I felt no connection with any of the characters. The story was even unclear in places.
July 27, 2026
Awesome story of an amazing man that God lifted up to bring the gospel to SE Asian islands. Very touching story.
September 30, 2014
I think it was an awesome book. It had action and a unexpected ending.
October 17, 2025
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.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews