God's Adventurer

by Phyllis Thompson

Hudson Taylor was a teenager when God told him to go to China. Though he was alone, broke and critically ill, he hung on to that goal and to the God who was sending him. Would God be enough? Danger and adventure abound in this true story of a man who dared to risk and trust. Interest Junior High age through adult. Age 13 and up. For readers of all ages.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, China, School, Childrens, History

108 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Phyllis Thompson has a background in development education and Pastoral ministry in the UK. She is currently a member of the Church of God International General Board of Education, an Executive Council Member of the European Pentecostal Theological Association and a member of the leadership team of her local Church in Northampton, England. She has written on topics to do with Black Majority Churches, and women in Christian leadership. Recent publications include her contribution to Faith of our Fathers (Pathway Press 2009),Challenges of Black Pentecostal Leadership in the 21st Century (SPCK 2013) and Challenges of Pentecostal Theology in the 21st Century (SPCK 2020) the latter two for which she is the editor.

Reviews

[Trice · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely an easy reader of a book, but even in its brief and simple chapterly installments there is Good. Lots about trusting God, even just in the beginning, though I'm thinking some kind of warning should be included or commentary to show he wasn't of the 'health and wealth gospel' type.

He was a man not governed by fear but by his love of and trust in God. I think that's the clearest thing so far. I was wondering for a moment what it would have been like to know him, but with that joyful thankfulness I note that he reminds me of a couple friends of mine - people no one regrets meeting; people who always leave you encouraged and more True. Oh that we would all have such faith and faithfulness, and yet this is a good reminder that faith comes through doing, not just thinking, by the mercy of God.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this aloud to the kids for school. It was a good book that demonstrated a great faith and the importance of prayer. Hudson Taylor was a missionary whose heart was burdened with the desire to share the Gospel message with the people of China. He surmounted many obstacles with a quiet courage that was inspiring to read about.

[Robin E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

While giving a good overview of Hudson Taylor's life, this biography falls short. Taylor spent over 50 years of his life in China, most of in inland China, and yet more than 3/4 of the book is set in England. Yes, it was good to know his background that led him to China, but it would have been better to know more of what his life was like there and things that happened to him there.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously, a missionary book I really liked. Miracles do happen.

[Cristine Braddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one as a part of school with Malaki. I was inspired by the story of this man that had such great faith in God.

[Barbara A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thin little book crammed with stirring accounts of God’s work in China through Hudson Taylor’s willingness to trust Him.
I liked the biographical details about this great hero of the faith who was also humble and compassionate.

[Christine V · Rating 3 out of 5]

While rather heavy-handed, the author clearly told of Hudson Taylor’s inspirational faith. I was hoping to read a bit more detail about his life in China.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hudson Taylor was a teenager when God told him to go to China. Though he was alone, broke and critically ill, he hung on to that goal and to the God who was sending him."

I read this at a time when I felt a lot like Hudson Taylor. I wasn't alone, but I was broke and critically ill. Through my illness the goal of being sent to China was one that I clung to. And I did eventually make it to China - happy and healthy. This is one of my favorite books.

[Garner Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as part of Sonlight Core F Eastern Hemisphere. Great introduction to Missionary Biography for children! Hudson Taylor built the mission field in China, and did it with total faith that God wanted done, God would facilitate. Whet our appetite for more stories about men and women seeking to tell others about God!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this book very much, but it was really good!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was inspiring to think about all his answers to prayer and trust God in this area more.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting, stirring, uplifting book. Honestly I would assume one would have to be spiritually dead or lukewarm to not be blessed by this short account of the life of Hudson Taylor.

[Shannon Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of a missionary's faith and trust in God. The story was the perfect length for younger readers.

[Jenni Jex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hudson Taylor was an amazing man. I read a couple biographies of him in my teen years, and thought this might be a good one to introduce Hudson Taylor to my children. However, this book was disappointing. The majority of the book was spent detailing about his time of life in England before he started the China Inland mission, and then the book skipped quite dramatically to his death. No time was spent discussing how he and those who joined his Mission spread the gospel through the mainland provinces. Also, the written words were unnecessarily flowery and the book contained too many run on sentences. Could've been written much better.

[Jonathan Vik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but inspiring story about the legendary missionary Hudson Taylor. The book is encouraging and shows the power of trusting God with everything. Praying and trusting more like Hudson Taylor should be a goal for every Christian.

I liked the book, but it was maybe too short. It's more like a summary that emphise the importance of trusting God and skips a lot of Hudson Taylors life and even missionary work. It's more about showcasing different stages of his journey.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hudson Taylor was the first known missionary who actually tried to understand another culture and be a part of it while introducing his faith in Christ to the people. He dressed like the Chinese and lived as they did in order to try to understand them and share the gospel with them. Before then, most missionaries tried to make other cultures like their own.

I read this book to my sons during our study of China. Hudson believed in trusting in God to provide him with all his needs and to show him the way to live and where to go. He lived by such great faith that I truly believe the underground Christian faith is still strong today because of his devotion to the people of China and the hundreds of missionaries that the Chinese Inland Mission helped guide.

This story is very much for children but definitely was interesting to my sons, as we read two chapters a day and discussed bits and pieces of the story together. It is not exactly a full biography on his life but gives the basics of where he started in his faith and what led him into China and how he originally lived there and how his life ended as well. He is a missionary that everyone who loves researching missionaries should read about.

[Dzemo Sh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like this book at all! So many times I felt like giving up, but I didn't want to leave a book once I started it. I feel like the only goal the writer wanted to accomplish is sending a message, that praying will help us through hard times. Although it's a good message and it has a good intention, it would have been much better if there had been a more interesting story to go with the book.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about a fascinating man.

“It is a wonderful privilege we have, to be able to bring everything to God in prayer, isn't it?”

Thompson, Phyllis. God's Adventurer: Hudson Taylor. London: China Inland Mission, 1954.

[James Tetley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to the children. I personally knew the author when she was alive, who exuded a love and faith in Jesus. A moving story of trusting the Lord. Light on what happened in China, but traces admirably the key turning points in his great adventure, and brings him alive for 9+ Yr olds

[Thando · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hands down the worst book I've ever read in my entire life. I didn't like it at all.
I was being forced to read this book for my Literature PACE, but if it wasn't for that, I'd have dropped it like a bad habit.

[Catherine Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm....yeah that's all I feel like saying about this book. But I do like what Hudson Taylor did.

[Leichty Library]

Copies: 2 (one has a different cover)

[Susan]

This is another book we're reading for school. Hudson Taylor was an amazing man of faith. We have 3 chapters left to read and will finish it before Thanksgiving.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids loved it.

[Clarance · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this for school. I guess it's as good as you can get when you're writing for Christians.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

An account of the life of the missionary Hudson Taylor who founded the China Inland Mission in 1865. Good to know about but, unfortunately, boring to read.

[Emilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25/5
Krótka, ale treściwa biografia, pokazująca różne momenty z życia Hudsona.
Dobra na początek i zachęcająca do tego, aby przeczytać coś więcej o tym człowieku, który postanowił nade wszystko ufać Bogu. Choć żył skromnie, nigdy niczego mu nie brakowało, Bóg cudownie się o niego troszczył.
Hudson Taylor jest przykładem człowieka, który żył wiarą, polegał na Bogu i stosował w swoim życiu Słowo Boże.
Jako 19 latek wyjechał sam do Chin, zostawiając rodzinę, przyjaciół i kraj, który tak dobrze znał, ponieważ dostał od Boga powołanie, aby udać się do tego kraju, by zanieść tamtejszym ludziom Ewangelię, i Hudson właśnie to robił, głosił każdemu kto chciał słuchać również rozdawał broszury i traktaty chrześcijańskie. Dodatkowo miał pragnienie by zanieść Dobrą Nowinę do najbardziej odległych i trudno dostępnych miejsc w Chinach i udało mu się z Bożym prowadzeniem.

[Ken Blackwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

an inspiring read

I have read this book with great interest. The author has clearly shown the honest struggles that Hudson went through to fulfil his call to go to China. With great spiritual insight the author has skilfully woven the events of Hudson’s life together in one volume. The result is a book that I could not put down and one in which I learned so much about the reality of prayer. Hudson fulfilled his mission so well to reach the Chinese people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. His work was not wasted since even today, despite intense persecution, the gospel thrives in China.

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A read-aloud for my two oldest boys (targeted towards 6th-grade age). Short, humbling, convicting, and overall excellent. Reminded me of how much I love reading missionary accounts. I know they were flawed people just like any others, but their faith in God, their willingness to suffer such hardship, deprivation, and danger just so that they could give their lives over for others truly awes me.

This is not a thorough or detailed biography, but it shows the difficult beginnings and the profoundly beautiful end of Hudson's work in China, and his love for God and for the people he served. I was moved.