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The Bulletproof Missionary: Shang Ik Moon's journey from North Korea to America
This is a story of war and redemption, of hunger and destruction, the kindness of an Army Chaplain during the Korean War. It is the story of an orphan scratching for food on garbage heaps, to becoming a renowned professor at Concordia University in southern California. Professor Shang Ik Moon was born in North Korea and lived there through WW II. After the war, his father arranged a clandestine escape, deep in the night, through many dangers, to reach South Korea. It was not long after that the Korean War began. He lost, or thought he lost, his whole family. A young teenager, with nothing, an Army chaplain pulled him from hunger and homelessness to be a translator, even though he had to teach the Korean boy English. Shang Ik was baptized and confirmed by the chaplain, and the chaplain gave him a vision for going to America to prepare to return to Korea as a missionary. That was not to happen. What did happen was more incredible. The love of God plucked a boy in a brutal corner of the world and redeemed him for a life of loving service.
- GenresReligionNonfiction
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2018
56 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 28, 2023
A very inspirational book. I wholeheartedly enjoyed it. I am deeply touched by his story and the epilogue was just a teary-eyed cherry on the top for me.
June 9, 2021
I knew this book was about a man who grew up in North Korea, snuck into South Korea while still a child, and then became a Christian professor, despite a non-Christian background. I knew it was about war and near escapes. With that in mind, I waited to read this book for a while, bracing myself in case the book was overly intense for my state of mind. No need! Great book! Highly recommend!
This book is a very readable, relatable, humane account about an inspirational man and God’s surprising provision and protection. Did I cry? Yes. Was there violence and loss? Absolutely. But I’ll have my teens read this book when they learn about the Korean War.
To my delight, there is an additional resource—a study guide—to facilitate conversation & consideration! The study guide is available for sale on Amazon, but you may also want to check out Mission Nation Publishing’s homeschool page as that may help you determine the next book from that company you get for yourself and your family.
Once or twice I wondered if I was supposed to have associations with names that I didn’t have, but the story was complete even without that.
It was just over 200 pages with largish text. I could hardly tear myself away. Mission Nation has found a great niche to fill, raising awareness of men and women who have come to America from diverse backgrounds with the Gospel of Christ in their mouths. Thanks be to God!
This book is a very readable, relatable, humane account about an inspirational man and God’s surprising provision and protection. Did I cry? Yes. Was there violence and loss? Absolutely. But I’ll have my teens read this book when they learn about the Korean War.
To my delight, there is an additional resource—a study guide—to facilitate conversation & consideration! The study guide is available for sale on Amazon, but you may also want to check out Mission Nation Publishing’s homeschool page as that may help you determine the next book from that company you get for yourself and your family.
Once or twice I wondered if I was supposed to have associations with names that I didn’t have, but the story was complete even without that.
It was just over 200 pages with largish text. I could hardly tear myself away. Mission Nation has found a great niche to fill, raising awareness of men and women who have come to America from diverse backgrounds with the Gospel of Christ in their mouths. Thanks be to God!
August 18, 2023
Better than I expected.
At first, I had a hard time getting into reading this autobiography. After the first twenty pages, I found myself really interested in reading it. My one issue was that the story has the main person having an older sister. Later on in the story, when talking about his parents later in the story, his mother tells him his parents married young and makes me wonder the way I read it, if his older sister isn't really his sister. I'm really unclear in that issue.
At first, I had a hard time getting into reading this autobiography. After the first twenty pages, I found myself really interested in reading it. My one issue was that the story has the main person having an older sister. Later on in the story, when talking about his parents later in the story, his mother tells him his parents married young and makes me wonder the way I read it, if his older sister isn't really his sister. I'm really unclear in that issue.
October 14, 2020
Incredible, uplifting, adventurous testimony
This book was so exciting from beginning to end. It was hard to put down. It is truly amazing how this boy survived so much turmoil and grew to be such a worker for God. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking an incredible adventure and living through a boy with such determination. Uplifting and encouraging. A true testimony that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Phil. 4:13
This book was so exciting from beginning to end. It was hard to put down. It is truly amazing how this boy survived so much turmoil and grew to be such a worker for God. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking an incredible adventure and living through a boy with such determination. Uplifting and encouraging. A true testimony that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Phil. 4:13
May 7, 2022
The Bulletproof Missionary shows how God can reveal Himself to someone whose exposer to the Gospel hasn't been extensive. The main character goes through intense hardship, but because of one phrase he didn't even realize was stored away in his brain, a sliver of light is shed into his heart. Don't read this book expecting to learn how the main character shared the gospel. Read this book to learn how God sees our journey and knows how to bring light out of darkness.
February 13, 2023
Amazing, Inspiring, Faith based
I loved to read about the experience of Moon. You can easily read that God didn't let him die because he had a purpose for him. In bad times the Lord can turn bad things and turn them into good things for his glory. Recommend this book for anyone. 100% loved it.
I loved to read about the experience of Moon. You can easily read that God didn't let him die because he had a purpose for him. In bad times the Lord can turn bad things and turn them into good things for his glory. Recommend this book for anyone. 100% loved it.
March 28, 2024
Very captivating story of a young man's journey from North to South Korea during the Korean conflict. How the horrors of war and his tribulations lead him to an American military base in South Korea where he finds faith. The remaining story takes him to America and how his hard work and determination leads to his many later successes.
August 18, 2024
I could not put the book down. It was encouraging for me spiritually to see God's soverignity in all things and how he can be trusted. Even when we can't feel him, he is there and is always at work. We see him call and draw his people to him. Shang Ik's life was difficult, but God had purpose and used it. Well written and easy to read.
April 19, 2021
Inspirational and emotionally packed story.
This book was very well written and held my attention so much that I kept reading just to see what would happen next. A story of survival under extreme circumstances. God’s provision and protection in action throughout his journey.
This book was very well written and held my attention so much that I kept reading just to see what would happen next. A story of survival under extreme circumstances. God’s provision and protection in action throughout his journey.
November 24, 2023
This amazing story kept me turning the pages. The story of Shang Ik who grew up in North Korea, snuck into South Korea, and almost died during the Korean War held me spellbound. What a wonderful true tale of how God has a plan for everyone's life.
September 3, 2024
Another fascinating true account of a North Korean boy who went through unbelievable trials. He truly was bulletproof as The Lord protected him through unimaginable war horrors, until he began to see the light! Amazing
September 28, 2024
I enjoyed this book immensely. The story was so emotional and gut wrenching at times. But in the end Grace prevailed and God had the final say on the life of this brilliant man. I definitely recommend!
May 8, 2025
it was good, the epilogue was the best part, but i thought Shang-Ik and the Chaplin were gonna date.
January 15, 2026
The story of a man's experience growing up in Korea during the war and his experience after and finding God. Interesting and written as if it were fiction.
March 25, 2024
“God gave grace to me. He gave it to me, so I can give it to you. And maybe one day, you can give it to someone else.”
Reading the above quote, you probably will assume the book is about God. It is actually. But only a little part, a few parts that show how a non-believer starts believing in God.
The Bulletproof Missionary is the story of Dr. Shang Ik Moon, who grew up in present-day North Korea during World War II. Later, he escaped to South Korea just before the Korean War began.
It talks about his life in the North as a kid, where he lived with his grandmother. After her death, he (secretly) crossed the army zone to live with his father in Seoul.
It talks about the Korean War… how it changed his life, and how it took everyone he loved away from him while he was still a boy.
The Bulletproof Missionary is about the pain of Dr. Moon as he lost his family to the war. It’s also about the life in South Korea, in general, during the war.
It’s a painful depiction of the loss of Korea as a whole.
Although the book is being promoted as a real-life story, much of it seems like a work of fiction. I’m not saying that the incidents aren’t true; it just feels as if the writer has made the book overly dramatic.
The book, nevertheless, is engaging. It's a touching story. And it highlights how Dr. Moon is a bulletproof missionary, escaping death several times unharmed, starting to believe in God, and getting the chance to become a pastor in the US.
It would be worth mentioning here that most Koreans didn’t (and still don’t) practice a religion.
And the book has managed to share the message of how the power of God can change your circumstances. So, a work well done.
Reading the above quote, you probably will assume the book is about God. It is actually. But only a little part, a few parts that show how a non-believer starts believing in God.
The Bulletproof Missionary is the story of Dr. Shang Ik Moon, who grew up in present-day North Korea during World War II. Later, he escaped to South Korea just before the Korean War began.
It talks about his life in the North as a kid, where he lived with his grandmother. After her death, he (secretly) crossed the army zone to live with his father in Seoul.
It talks about the Korean War… how it changed his life, and how it took everyone he loved away from him while he was still a boy.
The Bulletproof Missionary is about the pain of Dr. Moon as he lost his family to the war. It’s also about the life in South Korea, in general, during the war.
It’s a painful depiction of the loss of Korea as a whole.
Although the book is being promoted as a real-life story, much of it seems like a work of fiction. I’m not saying that the incidents aren’t true; it just feels as if the writer has made the book overly dramatic.
The book, nevertheless, is engaging. It's a touching story. And it highlights how Dr. Moon is a bulletproof missionary, escaping death several times unharmed, starting to believe in God, and getting the chance to become a pastor in the US.
It would be worth mentioning here that most Koreans didn’t (and still don’t) practice a religion.
And the book has managed to share the message of how the power of God can change your circumstances. So, a work well done.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews