“I Am Not Afraid!”: The Story of John W. Vinson Christian Martyr in China

by E.H. Hamilton, Scroll Reader (Editor), John W. Vinson

An inspiring portrait of John Walker Vinson and his wife Jeanie’s unwavering faith and sacrificial devotion as they serve amid illness, hardship, and civil turmoil in early 20th-century China—culminating in Vinson’s courageous martyrdom and enduring legacy. Drawn from Jeanie’s heartfelt letters and firsthand accounts, their story bears witness to the power of steadfast love and quiet perseverance in the face of profound suffering.

42 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and wonderful, as many of these martyrdom accounts are. It is a stark reminder that in America we are blessed (currently) with a faith not facing real persecution, but we miss the other greater blessing of that persecution and all it brings. I am certainly grateful to be able to live free of it, but there has been a serious consequence in people failing to view Martydom as the Church historically has. This is a tragedy of the American church, and something I hope these books can remedy.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had not heard of this man. I am listening to a book on YouTube. There is a site that has audio books of some really old books, some out of print. One thing I learned today is that there were many more missionaries killed by Chinese during all the upheaval, the Boxer Rebellion, Communists, Warloads.

Jack and his wife Jeannie had terrible health but that did not stop them from going. They lost 3 of their 6 children. Jean died in 1923 after childbirth and Jack died in 1931, martyred.

As usual in the older missionary biographies, Jack is larger than life, close to a perfect, no sinning human.

However, maybe he was larger than life. What a sad story. To think of him, a slight, unhealthy young man alone as his family was in the US, taken by bandits, shot and beheaded. The book makes the point that his death touched many in China and many decided to become Jesus followers. His children, even the girl who survived birth though her mother died, ended up serving the Lord. Jean became a missionary to Korea.