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Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy
"We must believe with all our hearts and souls that He is with us. He is a God of love!" So shouted Jakob, the evangelist, as the German tanks roared across Yugoslavian soil, and machine guns, motorcycles and Messerschmitts screamed in the hills.Out of the sky came the Stukas. They nosed over, dropped their bombs and veered off into the cold blue. The wagon in front of them was hit. The donkey was dead, and the driver lay mutilated in the brush at the side of the road."This is war," said the gray-clad officer. "The only place you will be safe is in the grave."Weak and divided, the Yugoslavians fought back. Their ill-equipped guerrillas chewed on the German army like vermin on the flanks of a stallion. They cut phone lines, laid mines, dynamited bridges and blew up armored cars. Their stubborn war cry was, "Better grave than slave!" But, for every German they killed a hundred Yugoslavs were shot in retaliation.In the midst of this living hell, Jakob, Jozeca and other believers clung to God and prayed for both friend and foe. The enemies of their beloved homeland could burn their cities and towns, but they could not destroy their souls or quench their indomitable spirits.Marie Chapian went to Yugoslavia and interviewed peasants, gypsies, factory workers, doctors, laborers, and officials of the Communist party. She wanted to know how the Christians' faith was sustained through those terrible years of war, famine and cold. She learned that they had simply clung to God with an almost incredible fait
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 1978
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305 people want to read
About the author
Marie Chapian
79 books41 followersA Christian counselor and author or coauthor of more than thirty books, including the bestseller Free to Be Thin. She founded Marie Chapian Ministries to teach and equip the body of Christ. She lives in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 28, 2016
I can hardly believe that I never reviewed this before. This is one of the absolute best Christian biographies I have ever read. I've been reading and rereading it since I was about 12. Step by step this family went through the Yugoslavian wars, imprisonment, hard work, and more, but never stopped sharing the Gospel. Highly recommended!
February 6, 2011
When a friend suggested this book to me, I was completely unprepared for what I read. Shockingly realistic about the horrors of World War II, describing situations I’d never even heard about in all my studies of WWII in college, I was not prepared to be surrealistically jealous of the survivors. Clearly that makes no sense because who wouldn’t be terrified to endure what they did, but the faith they possessed was the rarest most pure faith I’ve seen and I long to have that kind of faith. The love and forgiveness these individuals poured out on their enemies is simply staggering. I read this book about 15 years ago and it still haunts me today in a beautiful way.
December 17, 2008
I first read this book when I was 16. The story haunted me, so I asked my mother to send me her book and I read it again when I was in my early 20s. After several moves, the book was lost, and I thought I'd never find it again since it is out of print.
The story continued to haunt the back of my brain and finally with the Internet, I was able to find it in a small obscure online bookstore. I ordered it and read it again in my late 30s. The story continues to amaze and humble me, although the writing has grown increasingly simple and childlike with each read.
The story continued to haunt the back of my brain and finally with the Internet, I was able to find it in a small obscure online bookstore. I ordered it and read it again in my late 30s. The story continues to amaze and humble me, although the writing has grown increasingly simple and childlike with each read.
May 21, 2020
This biography is gripping from start to finish and gives a glimpse into some of the forgotten casualties of WWII. The family in focus remains faithful, and the power of God is seen in their undaunted joy through trials.
June 22, 2016
This is a story about faith, prayer and God's faithfulness in times of trouble. Mostly set in northern Jugoslavia during World War II, the book follows the trials and tribulations of the Slovenian Kovac family, Protestant Christians in a primarily Catholic region. Because Christianity was still outlawed in Jugoslavia when this book was published, the real names of the family are not used to protect their safety.
The faith of Jakob and Jozeca Kovac is awe inspiring. Jakob had been an itinerant preacher in Slovenia and Croatia during the interwar years when he met and married Jozeca, and their three children were born during the rigors of the war and the partisan insurgency. There were so many things that could have wrecked their faith, but they remained faithful to their Lord and Savior:
1. Jakob was considerably older than Jozeca, and many considered their marriage sinful, telling Jozeca to her face that God would judge her for marrying an older man.
2. For a period of time, Jozeca was imprisoned by the Germans while Jakob was with the partisans. All through her imprisonment, she had no idea if anyone was taking care of her young son.
3. Sometime after her imprisonment, Jozeca joined the partisans. She was pregnant with number two, a daughter, and had to give birth under less than ideal circumstances.
4. Apparently one of Jakob's and Jozeca's acquaintances had been a German spy, and after the war, they were accused of being enemies of the people. Jakob was imprisoned for several years for a crime he did not commit, and Jozeca, pregnant with number three, a son, was ordered to report to prison after she gave birth. After several delays of her imprisonment, her sentence was commuted. Yet, for several years, she was supporting her family on her own with her own potential imprisonment and inability to take care of her children hanging over her head.
5. As he got older, Jakob's and Jozeca's oldest child became very worldly and was turning away from God and bringing shame on them by his conduct. They were convinced that he was a gift from God who would go on to serve God. Ultimately both he and his younger brother went to seminary and became pastors, but Jakob and Jozeca had to live on faith and not by sight for a while.
6. After Jakob died, a new pastor came to lead the church Jozeca attended, the one Jakob had previously pastored. Some of his teachings were obviously heretical, and she confronted him. He talked down to her, insinuating that he knew more than she did and that she should just sit down and shut up. In addition, he made advances on her. When she refused to budge and turned down his advances, he excommunicated her. Of course half the church left and started meeting in her flat until a new pastor could be found.
Sometimes, the prayers of American Christians degenerate into platitudes. I did not see any of that here. Both Jakob and Jozeca prayed fervently, often praying all night. In times of desperation, they often prayed continuously, refusing to stop until they had received a sign that God had heard them and would answer their prayers. In conjunction with their prayers, things happened. If they happened as written in this book, I can only call them miracles, regardless of what cessationist Christians and materialists may think or say. Some of them are:
1. During an artillery bombardment, two partisans, one of them a Christian, were taking cover at a certain location. The Christian heard a voice telling him to move elsewhere. Moments after they moved, the location where they had been took a direct hit.
2. Jozeca assured a badly wounded partisan that if he trusted Jesus, Jesus would take care of him. As a sign, she told him that he would eat polenta, which they did not have, the next day. The very next day, the RAF, in their first act of support for Tito, not expected at the time, did a supply drop. That man had polenta the next day.
3. Jozeca encountered a woman who had had a psychotic break. Her sons had been murdered by the Ustasi, who handed her a basket filled with their eyeballs and then arrested her. As they took her away to be shot, they themselves were ambushed by partisans and killed. She danced in the pools of their blood and was very messed up in the head. After fervent prayer, not counseling, not medication, by Jozeca, the woman became normal again.
4. As a child, Jakob and Jozeca's oldest son was tormented by seizures. At one point, a preacher prayed fervently over him, and there was a sudden wind in the flat. The boy never suffered a seizure again.
Needless to say, I was very impressed by the faith of this family as they endured trials and tribulations. Given the rising government and cultural hostility to Christians in America, I believe our day of trial is coming. May we be as faithful as the Kovac's were.
The faith of Jakob and Jozeca Kovac is awe inspiring. Jakob had been an itinerant preacher in Slovenia and Croatia during the interwar years when he met and married Jozeca, and their three children were born during the rigors of the war and the partisan insurgency. There were so many things that could have wrecked their faith, but they remained faithful to their Lord and Savior:
1. Jakob was considerably older than Jozeca, and many considered their marriage sinful, telling Jozeca to her face that God would judge her for marrying an older man.
2. For a period of time, Jozeca was imprisoned by the Germans while Jakob was with the partisans. All through her imprisonment, she had no idea if anyone was taking care of her young son.
3. Sometime after her imprisonment, Jozeca joined the partisans. She was pregnant with number two, a daughter, and had to give birth under less than ideal circumstances.
4. Apparently one of Jakob's and Jozeca's acquaintances had been a German spy, and after the war, they were accused of being enemies of the people. Jakob was imprisoned for several years for a crime he did not commit, and Jozeca, pregnant with number three, a son, was ordered to report to prison after she gave birth. After several delays of her imprisonment, her sentence was commuted. Yet, for several years, she was supporting her family on her own with her own potential imprisonment and inability to take care of her children hanging over her head.
5. As he got older, Jakob's and Jozeca's oldest child became very worldly and was turning away from God and bringing shame on them by his conduct. They were convinced that he was a gift from God who would go on to serve God. Ultimately both he and his younger brother went to seminary and became pastors, but Jakob and Jozeca had to live on faith and not by sight for a while.
6. After Jakob died, a new pastor came to lead the church Jozeca attended, the one Jakob had previously pastored. Some of his teachings were obviously heretical, and she confronted him. He talked down to her, insinuating that he knew more than she did and that she should just sit down and shut up. In addition, he made advances on her. When she refused to budge and turned down his advances, he excommunicated her. Of course half the church left and started meeting in her flat until a new pastor could be found.
Sometimes, the prayers of American Christians degenerate into platitudes. I did not see any of that here. Both Jakob and Jozeca prayed fervently, often praying all night. In times of desperation, they often prayed continuously, refusing to stop until they had received a sign that God had heard them and would answer their prayers. In conjunction with their prayers, things happened. If they happened as written in this book, I can only call them miracles, regardless of what cessationist Christians and materialists may think or say. Some of them are:
1. During an artillery bombardment, two partisans, one of them a Christian, were taking cover at a certain location. The Christian heard a voice telling him to move elsewhere. Moments after they moved, the location where they had been took a direct hit.
2. Jozeca assured a badly wounded partisan that if he trusted Jesus, Jesus would take care of him. As a sign, she told him that he would eat polenta, which they did not have, the next day. The very next day, the RAF, in their first act of support for Tito, not expected at the time, did a supply drop. That man had polenta the next day.
3. Jozeca encountered a woman who had had a psychotic break. Her sons had been murdered by the Ustasi, who handed her a basket filled with their eyeballs and then arrested her. As they took her away to be shot, they themselves were ambushed by partisans and killed. She danced in the pools of their blood and was very messed up in the head. After fervent prayer, not counseling, not medication, by Jozeca, the woman became normal again.
4. As a child, Jakob and Jozeca's oldest son was tormented by seizures. At one point, a preacher prayed fervently over him, and there was a sudden wind in the flat. The boy never suffered a seizure again.
Needless to say, I was very impressed by the faith of this family as they endured trials and tribulations. Given the rising government and cultural hostility to Christians in America, I believe our day of trial is coming. May we be as faithful as the Kovac's were.
August 25, 2008
Incredible biography of the Jakob Kovac family and all God took them through. I was never so aware of how easy it is to live the Christian life in America without the persecution that this family endured on account of Christ. I was challenged.
May 13, 2022
After the Bible, this is my favorite book! It is a powerful, true story. It really teaches you contentment and to trust in God more. It is crazy that the things in this book really happened. Also, it is a historical book!
June 29, 2021
This is a great story and very well written. I highly recommend it.
June 18, 2013
This is an outstanding, encouraging, amazing book about Christian Yugoslavians and how they triumphantly survived during WWII. It is full of wonderful stories of how they clung to God through the difficult years of war and German occupation.
January 19, 2010
A truly inspiring book of people who really know how to love their enemies and face suffering with unflinching hope and faith. Truly these were people "of whom the world is not worthy."
November 16, 2020
This is one of my favorite books of all time!
February 21, 2022
A biography on faithfulness and the power of fervent prayer. Begins before WW2 and follows a family’s walk through the fires of communism, famine, illnesses, imprisonment, and just about every kind of persecution fathomable.
personal note: Pretty impactful in the trials and horrors they faced, then add in the pure delight and complete belief they exhibited living out their lives for the Saviour and it was undeniably incredible.
Writing style: often choppy and frequently confusing with how author jumped around with the dates.
But i did very much enjoy that all the prayers were seemingly untouched by editing, it made for beautiful and raw moments of faith.
personal note: Pretty impactful in the trials and horrors they faced, then add in the pure delight and complete belief they exhibited living out their lives for the Saviour and it was undeniably incredible.
Writing style: often choppy and frequently confusing with how author jumped around with the dates.
But i did very much enjoy that all the prayers were seemingly untouched by editing, it made for beautiful and raw moments of faith.
September 2, 2025
Reminded of Lincoln's quote that God "could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds." Too many believers pray for the end of conflict (and often approach wars as though one side is just and the other unjust), rather than praying for God to be glorified and Christ made known through the worldly wrestling for power. As it says in Amos 3:6: "When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?"
February 3, 2025
I read this book many years ago, late 90’s. I still refer to it as one of my all time favorites. It’s kind of like reading the book of Job in the Bible. You think you have troubles until you read of someone else’s. Such amazing faith and reverence for God is portrayed in this story that it requires you to really stop and take inventory of your own heart.
May 21, 2022
Hands down, one of the best books I’ve ever read. You can read all the how-to-pray books you want, but none of them will teach you like this book, the story of a couple in one of the worst places and times on earth, devoted to prayer. Captivating and powerful…
March 30, 2018
Sobering and joyful - recounts of a Christian Family in Yugoslavia during and after World War Two.
February 24, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! I never wanted to put it down. So good!
July 15, 2021
Excellent story of faith and one family's convictions.
September 8, 2022
In a class of its own. Beautiful and sweet. Heart-breaking and tenacious. Absolutely amazing true story!
December 20, 2022
To my memory this is the only book I’ve ever read overnight, I actually didn’t sleep.
January 1, 2024
Such a moving and convicting account of lives of faith and prayer.
August 30, 2024
First time reading this one. Incredible.
Read
October 24, 2024not my cup of tea
September 30, 2025
Loved this book! Very inspiring and faith-filled!
July 3, 2025
One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE books. It’s a must read Christian biography. It’s thought-provoking, encouraging, and convicting.
October 20, 2012
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!! It's my favorite of all books I've ever read! It's about a couple who are Baptist missionaries in Yugoslavia during the Communist War. Without giving all the details, the thing I loved the most was their unwavering faith in God no matter what happened to them, and some pretty horrible things happened to them. This is not a feel-good book, but if you need inspiration and influence from people who praise God through EVERYTHING, these are the people!
September 2, 2016
Interesting for the fact that it is set in a historical wartime in Yugoslavia and was a call to faith in the most dire of circumstances. Unfortunately it was too repetitive for the length of the book. I tried hard to like it but I really couldn't.
January 22, 2016
This is one of the most moving books I have read. I cried many times throughout this book and was forced to look at my faith through a different lense. It is a must read for any person of faith. God is alive and still continues to work through his people.
January 25, 2016
Excellent book! Very challenging! Have read probably at least 3 or 4 times. We remember the book every year at Thanksgiving. Thankful for our bounty but remember she gave thanks for rotten fish soup while in prison!
February 18, 2008
Incredible story of faith during war in Yugoslavia. Oh my goodness this book is inspiring and made me want to run to the Lord in prayer, always.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews