Rowland Bingham: Into Africa's Interior

Christian Heroes: Then & Now #19

by Janet Benge, Geoff Benge

At age twenty Rowland Bingham committed himself to serving not only in Africa, known as the white man's grave, but in Africa's Sudan interior, where few missionaries had ventured and those who did soon died of disease or retreated in defeat.

Experienced missionaries told Rowland that his dream was impossible. But when he found himself the sole surviving member of the fledgling Sudan Interior Mission, he didn't give up - neither did God. In an amazing story of vision and faith, God used this willing servant to open a way for the gospel's light to shine on millions of people once thought beyond reach (1872-1942).

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, History, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

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 3 out of 5]

Missionary to Africa late 1800s - early 1900s. Most of the Benge’s other stories are more interesting.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

He followed Jesus, with everything in him.

I learned things! I was inspired. My heart ached.

I'm so glad the Benges chose to write Bingham's story.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love the writing style of this author duo, this one fell a bit flat. It was a bit on the boring side, and sometimes random facts were repeated over and over (want to know the type of car he drove?) Some threads they brought up were never finished off, and they skipped time and told you about it later (imagine my surprise when I figured out he had been somewhere ten years and I thought it was only months).
I also disagreed with Rowland Bingham's standards on some things. He seemed to think that girls weren't of much use on the mission field, and he spent years at a time away from his wife and kids.
So either the writing was just really slow, or his life was, cause this book was sllllloooow. I think it may have been a combination of both.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is awe-inspiring how many missionaries of the 19th and 20th centuries became so acquainted with death in the pursuit of the gospel. To mourn the death of your peers, as well as contemplate your own premature death, when all could be avoided by simply giving up on preaching the gospel, this speaks volumes about the unique sacrifices men and women made in pursuit of the Gospel.

Reflections from this read;
A verse that stands out when reading this book is Philippians 1:21: "To live is Christ, to die is gain." To live on this earth is to be like Christ, to emulate Him, to suffer as He did, to serve as he did and to seek sanctification as He was. To die is gain—to die to self is to gain, to put to death sin is to gain, and to die in the body, to be united with Christ, is to gain. We are sojourners here on earth, so we should treat our lives as such, not thinking too little or too highly of this life but assigning our lives to its proper state.

A quote from Mrs. Gowens, the mother of one of the missionaries who died in Sudan; 

"I would rather have Walter go out to the Sudan and die there all alone than have him home today, disobeying the Lord."

[Will Norrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not heard of Rowland Bingham prior to reading this book although I was aware of SIM of which he was a cofounder. Bingham suffered terrible setbacks in the early decades of his Christian work. He traveled quite literally all around the world to share the message of Christ and the message of missions. By the standards of the world, he failed often, yet he showed a remarkable ability to rest, regroup, and strike out on a renewed mission.
Some of the profiles in this series are well-known even now long after death, but I appreciate that the series also includes people who may have slipped through the cracks of our spiritual history. So many men and women gave their lives and continue to give their lives in distance and dangerous places sharing the gospel. I appreciate the efforts being made to tell just a faction of those stories.

[Olivia Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really inspired by the life of Rowland Bingham. God used him to bring missionaries to Nigeria for the first time with the gospel. When his peers discouraged him, his friends died, and it seemed all doors were closed, he persisted. By the end of his life there were hundreds of missionaries here. We have lived in the places he did a hundred years ago and still see the effects of his work. God really worked through his life and Rowland’s stories of faith in Him are challenging.

[Lisa]

I am not finished yet. A few thoughts: Rowland went out with Tom and Walter, having started the Sudan Interior Mission. Within the first year, Tom and Walter had died. They arrived in Nigeria and Rowland promptly got malaria. So he was left in Lagos as the other two headed to the interior. That Methodist rather jaded missionary told them they would not survive. So Rowland is still alive, 30% of the way through the book

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anther Christian Biography. Amazing the commitment of this man of God. “Though I die I will work to get into the heart of Africa. “ way back in the late 1800,s. This man started SIM (Sudan Inland Mission).

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A “good read” if you’re looking for a light read that is a biography, especially of someone who was a notable Christian missionary. I enjoyed it, learned some things I didn’t know, and was challenged in my own service of the Lord. Worth my time.

[Amy Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love this series, but this was not the most interesting biography for Ben.

[Robert Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty inspiring story like many of their stories. All glory be to God.

[Summer Cromartie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as exciting as others in the series, but it's a great story of the beginning of SIM.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not heard of Bingham before starting this book. His life was a great example of giving all he had to follow God's calling and trusting Him to provide.

[Elliott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encouraging story about the founder of SIM. Not much is said about the theology that drove him besides that he had faith.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* Audio

[Duane C. McQuillin · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring

This book was incredible! It showed over and over what God can do with people who are willing to serve him and how He will provide the way and means to get the job done for Him.
I was so encouraged and blessed!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discussed the life of Rowland Bingham, who is best known for creating the Sudan Interior Mission (presently known as SIM).

The book was read by Tim Gregory.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so inspired to read this biography! This man was the founder of the Sudan Interior Mission, and countless other projects. His life was devoted to serving the Lord and the Lord’s people, and reaching the lost for Christ. When he was burdened with a need, he didn’t bewail the fact that there was no group anywhere paying attention that he could associate with. He was a man of action, and when faced with a need, he found something to do about it. Living in comfort was not a priority to him, and change did not terrify him. His life was also characterized by determination, daring, sacrifice, and love for and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I think his life can be summarized in a paragraph from this biography. He was concerned for the countless men heading into World War II, and wanted a way to reach the unsaved soldiers and encourage the believing ones. The authors state: “The fact that it was yet another ministry that had no ongoing financial backing did not worry either of them [Rowland or his wife]. Rowland often told people that he did not have a great deal of faith, but that he had a little faith in a great God, and that great God would not let His causes fail.”

God is still the same God today. If He has place a burden in a particular area, and there is no existing solution visible, He can work through us to accomplish His purposes. I was so inspired by the life of Rowland Bingham to look around, and put my life to work where the Lord shows me I should, doubting nothing.

I encourage you to read this biography, and see the power of God in a man’s life.

[Chris Kuehnlenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not in-depth, but provided a good picture of how the Sudanese Inland Mission (SIM) started. Fascinating and enjoyable.

[Julia Forrester · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into the head of a mission organization. How a mission organization begins and what the head of an organization does.

[Mathias Seiwert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring account of a man who followed Jesus anywhere He led...Oh to have such faith, such perseverance...

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

***re-read 2025**

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring!