Let My People Go: The Life of Robert A. Jaffray

by A.W. Tozer

How God can use one person—limitations and all—to bring thousands to Himself

Robert A. Jaffray was a giant among the pioneer missionary statesmen of the early 20th century. Heir to the Toronto Globe, one of Canada's leading newspapers, he turned his back on wealth and power to serve in China. Responsible for an ever-growing work there, he simultaneously opened French Indochina to The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Later he orchestrated the missionary effort in Indonesia, today the largest Alliance field overseas. Jaffray was a missionary general. His keen administration, extensive writing, and incessant strategizing made him a natural leader.

Aided by his wife, Minnie, he never let poor health—diabetes and a heart condition—deter him from his work for the Lord. Committed to missions and the people of Southeast Asia to the end, Jaffray died a Martyr in a Japanese prison camp during World War 2. His story serves as an example of how God can use one person—limitations and all—to bring thousands to Himself.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Christianity

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Aiden Wilson Tozer was an American evangelical pastor, speaker, writer, and editor. After coming to Christ at the age of seventeen, Tozer found his way into the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination where he served for over forty years. In 1950, he was appointed by the denomination's General Council to be the editor of "The Alliance Witness" (now "Alliance Life").

Born into poverty in western Pennsylvania in 1897, Tozer died in May 1963 a self-educated man who had taught himself what he missed in high school and college due to his home situation. Though he wrote many books, two of them, "The Pursuit of God" and "The Knowledge of the Holy" are widely considered to be classics.

A.W. Tozer and his wife, Ada Cecelia Pfautz, had seven children, six boys and one girl.

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you compress 48 years of intense faith, prayer, and ministry into 135 pages? By barely touching the major changes, the largest triumphs, and tragedies.
I think I learned more about him as a person when I read Darlene Deibler’s biography. She was with him for several years during the Japanese occupation and shared a great deal about him. This book is much more impersonal. This book explains in some detail Jaffray’s heart for the lost, philosophy of ministry, and leadership style. That does make it a rather dry biography, but a good introduction to the beginning of many mission stations, bible schools, Christian newspapers, and churches.
I would certainly recommend it as an encouraging even motivating book.

[Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brief, which this series of "portraits" is supposed to be, but I was disappointed with some of what Tozer mentioned and then left out--or didn't mention at all.

I felt like I learned more about him as a person (and a husband and father) by reading Darlene Deibler's autobiography.

Still inspiring and well worth the read.

[Rebekah Barkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and concise overview of the missionary Robert Jaffray, who pioneered mission work in southern China, West Indochina and Indonesia.

3 stars because Tozer made minimal mention of Jaffray’s wife and daughter, and the book was the poorer for that. I felt like I got to know them so much better in Darlene Diebler Rose’s book “Evidence Not Seen.”

Missionary biography 4/12 for 2024.

[Benjamin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up as my church was renovating a space and was getting rid of furniture, etc. I decided to read it as my church is named after Robert A. Jaffray and I particularly enjoy Tozer.

I knew a little about Jaffray but, reading his story left a lasting impact. Here we have a Canadian man relatively unknown to the world whose father owned The Globe and Mail. Yet, he left it all for the sake of missions reaching the unreached people groups of the east. Without spoiling the book too much, Tozer as always writes beautifully. He captures the story of Jaffray and his heart oozing for missions perfectly.

Overall, this book made me glad that my church is named in honour of Robert A. Jaffray.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

While part of me would have been thrilled with an in-depth discussion of particular chapters of his life, in reality I do not have that kind of an attention span. Evenso, I was delighted to read the overview of this great man's life and to learn more about him than I had ever known previously. He makes a stunning impression in my favorite book (Evidence Not Seen, Deibler Rise), which was written by a missionary who worked with him in his third and final mission field in a long career and who suffered with him as they did with all of the missionaries in Makassar after the Japanese invaded. I know a lot more about his life during those years than all of the years before.

For a quick and inspiring read about a sweet chapter of mission history, this was a great read.

[Grady Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laying Down Your Life For CHRIST

Dr. Robert A. Jaffray certainly took up his cross and laid down his life for our LORD and KING JESUS CHRIST. This is a book that definitely should be read by every Christian and especially those looking to go to the mission field of foreign countries. Our mission field is wherever we are but few are willing to face the ridicule and wrath of satan and the world. May we never forget that we’re passing through this world and our mission is to exalt CHRIST and Glorify HIM!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Robert Jaffray, but that was my loss. This little biography by A. W. Tozer highlights the achievements of this man, who spent the first 30+ years of his missionary career working in China as the field director for the C&MA. For a man in poor health with diabetes and a bad heart, all his accomplishments are monumental. He died due to starvation in a Japanese prison camp during WW2.

This is a very worthwhile book, and an easy read of 100 pages.

[HisPresence MyHome · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Robert Jaffray through this book. I was curious to learn more about him after reading Darlene Deibler Rose's book. I found myself wishing A.W. Tozer had written more about Robert Jaffray! What was in this book felt like a brief, impersonal overview of Jaffray's life.

[Wesley May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I learned a lot about how christian s can live out their life in the Messiah. I look forward to pursuing the same journey in this world to continue to build Jehovah's kingdom

[Will Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was refreshing, informative, brief, and challenging. What more could you want in a biography?

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Jaffray and those around him had a zeal that consumed them. It was to get the good news that Christ is Lord and Savior of the world to all peoples.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent biography of a mighty Christian soldier. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

"One day it will all be finished, and the weary feet, all scarred and bleeding, will cross the last mountain, tread the last trail, reach the last tribe and win the last soul. Then He Himself will exclaim, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Let us keep our eyes steadily upon the goal. For when we hear the shout from the skies, all else will fade into utter insignificance. Ere long the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

--A quote from Robert A. Jaffray

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read older publication with 127 pages. Had fray was a man of prayer with a heart for God and a desire to see everyone know Jesus. He led and worked in south east Asia and China first half of 1900s with the Missionary Alliance church.

[Johnny McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has a heart for the perishing souls of the world should read this book.