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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #15
Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China
"What would make you come back?" the Chinese people asked. "What is so important that you would risk your life to tell us?" Jonathan eagerly explained to them what had brought him back to China, even after so many foreigners had been killed: the need to share the gospel.
As a poor Canadian farm boy, Jonathan Goforth had no idea that he would spend most of his life braving disasters, danger, and disease to share God's love with the people of China. But when God led him to do just that, nothing, not even the violent Boxer Rebellion, would stop Jonathan and his family from answering God's call.
Making their home in China, the Goforths opened their doors to as many as five thousand visitors a month, all of whom heard the gospel message. Their nearly fifty years of service to a nation in need would leave behind a legacy of many thousands of Chinese Christians.
As a poor Canadian farm boy, Jonathan Goforth had no idea that he would spend most of his life braving disasters, danger, and disease to share God's love with the people of China. But when God led him to do just that, nothing, not even the violent Boxer Rebellion, would stop Jonathan and his family from answering God's call.
Making their home in China, the Goforths opened their doors to as many as five thousand visitors a month, all of whom heard the gospel message. Their nearly fifty years of service to a nation in need would leave behind a legacy of many thousands of Chinese Christians.
206 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2000
16 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Janet Benge
175 books310 followersJanet 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 10, 2022
Start a mission on your own. Give up all privacy. Bury five children. Nearly lose your wife, children, and life in a war. Nearly die from various diseases numerous times. Lose your eyesight. And still find it all worthwhile. That is a true testimony of heart in love with God and man. For 48 years they offered their lives to reach the people of China. Even after being repeatedly attached during the Boxer Rebellion, they loved the Chinese enough to forgive all the suffering and return to once again share the Gospel. Their example of faithfulness is really wonderful.
It was a children’s biography, so the hardest trials they went through were very delicately spoken about. Still, you get a pretty good idea of the terrible heartache a suffering they experienced living through war, epidemics, and famines.
I think one of the sadder trends I have seen in Christianity recently is that of disparaging the missionaries of the past, of judging their practices by the political standards and practices of today instead of by the Word of God. Unfortunately, that means that we deprive ourselves of the encouragement of their faith and the humility of learning from the past. This book doesn’t paint the Goforths as angels but it does show the eternal fruit of souls saved and lives changed through their work. For that alone it is worth reading.
It’s very easy to read this book. I read it in one sitting. But the message will stay with me much longer, and with you too I believe. It was great encouragement to me right now. It reminded me that the God who was faithful to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Daniel, Mary, and Paul is just as faithful today as He was centuries ago. They could suffer such trials because He was with them, and He will be with us every day as well.
I certainly recommend you find this one to read.
It was a children’s biography, so the hardest trials they went through were very delicately spoken about. Still, you get a pretty good idea of the terrible heartache a suffering they experienced living through war, epidemics, and famines.
I think one of the sadder trends I have seen in Christianity recently is that of disparaging the missionaries of the past, of judging their practices by the political standards and practices of today instead of by the Word of God. Unfortunately, that means that we deprive ourselves of the encouragement of their faith and the humility of learning from the past. This book doesn’t paint the Goforths as angels but it does show the eternal fruit of souls saved and lives changed through their work. For that alone it is worth reading.
It’s very easy to read this book. I read it in one sitting. But the message will stay with me much longer, and with you too I believe. It was great encouragement to me right now. It reminded me that the God who was faithful to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Daniel, Mary, and Paul is just as faithful today as He was centuries ago. They could suffer such trials because He was with them, and He will be with us every day as well.
I certainly recommend you find this one to read.
February 25, 2013
Amazing what the Lord did with this man! His life is hugely encouraging. Easy to read, even my 3 year old loves it!
January 2, 2026
Amazing bravery and ingenuity of Christians in their missionary service. Explained the boxer rebellion in China in a way I could finally understand. I’m humbled by him reading through the Bible 73 (!) times and having g most of the NT memorized.
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August 23, 2024It’s hard to rate this book - it’s very simply written with children in mind - but I like the Benge books to learn about Christian leaders I wouldn’t otherwise know. Jonathan Goforth was new to me, but lived an amazing life and was, at one time, a household name whose sacrificial work was recognized. If only for that, I’m glad to have read his story.
February 19, 2025
I don't know why a review I do with my phone does not show up on my laptop.
I had read Rosalind's biography of her husband. It was fairly the usual written in the last 100 years depicting the person as close to perfect. They had 11 children, only 6 survived to adulthood. Then when she asked him after he sent her and family to Canada so he could "do what God called him to do," "If I got sick, would you come back to be with me and the children?" Nope, he would not go to her.
I also noticed that the Presbyterian Church of Canada called the shots for them. It certainly was a different time.
"Life in China was difficult to say the least! They faced many terrible situations: fire that destroyed their belongings, the deaths of five children, ravaging diseases, mobs that tried to kill them, and even blindness. Yet, throughout his life, Jonathan's faith never wavered."
In this book, the author did not mention too much about his trip to Korea. That is one of the saddest things for me to read. One hundred years ago there was revival in Korea, particularly among the Presbyterian denomination. Even the great grandfather of those crazy Kims became a pastor. There was a seminary in Pyongyang. All that is gone now.
I had read Rosalind's biography of her husband. It was fairly the usual written in the last 100 years depicting the person as close to perfect. They had 11 children, only 6 survived to adulthood. Then when she asked him after he sent her and family to Canada so he could "do what God called him to do," "If I got sick, would you come back to be with me and the children?" Nope, he would not go to her.
I also noticed that the Presbyterian Church of Canada called the shots for them. It certainly was a different time.
"Life in China was difficult to say the least! They faced many terrible situations: fire that destroyed their belongings, the deaths of five children, ravaging diseases, mobs that tried to kill them, and even blindness. Yet, throughout his life, Jonathan's faith never wavered."
In this book, the author did not mention too much about his trip to Korea. That is one of the saddest things for me to read. One hundred years ago there was revival in Korea, particularly among the Presbyterian denomination. Even the great grandfather of those crazy Kims became a pastor. There was a seminary in Pyongyang. All that is gone now.
January 17, 2019
Wonderful book about Jonathan Goforth's life as a missionary to China. It's great for about 5th grade and above I would say, including adults. I found his dedication and the stories of conversions to Christianity amazing.
August 6, 2021
Amazing man of God!
Jonathan Goforth lived a great life for Christ and made it dramatic impact in China and around the world. This book is a great picture of his life and ministry. I highly recommend it!
Jonathan Goforth lived a great life for Christ and made it dramatic impact in China and around the world. This book is a great picture of his life and ministry. I highly recommend it!
May 30, 2019
While Bingham seemed like an amazing witness for the Lord, I didn’t enjoy this book very much. Because 1. they infer that they kept losing kids because of his wife’s lack of faith. And 2. This book focused a little too much on all the horrible things that had happened in his life. That’s all I came away with, though I know Bingham did some pretty amazing things for God.
Overall, I enjoyed getting to know about Johnathan Bingham, but felt like this could have been written better.
Overall, I enjoyed getting to know about Johnathan Bingham, but felt like this could have been written better.
February 23, 2020
Wow what a man of God who evangelized in China from 1888 to 1933! And his wife served with him! She birthed 9 children but buried three of them in China, leaving her six children.
March 30, 2020
It was a good book. Although it is not my favorite genre, it was still really good
February 24, 2022
The Goforths went forth to spread the gospel. They had many successes, tragedies, and trials and stayed faithful through it all.
August 16, 2022
Amazing story of a man's love for the Chinese people & helping them come to know Christ.
January 23, 2025
This book covers the life of Canadian missionary, Jonathan Goforth.
The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.
The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.
November 15, 2012
We read this as a family. Amazing story of one Canadian man and his family and their commitment to spreading God's Good News in China. They were there during the Boxer Rebellion and other periods of time where foreigners were not welcome. They had a profound trust in God's guidance and plan in their lives.
I was interested and surprised at how Jonathan's trust in God and devotion to him led him to make decisions which separated him from him wife and children. Perhaps, as Christians today, we put an unhealthy emphasis on family above all else? Are we making an idol of family? In the Bible, Jesus told those around him to leave their families. This is something to think about.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Matthew 10:34-39 ESV)
I was interested and surprised at how Jonathan's trust in God and devotion to him led him to make decisions which separated him from him wife and children. Perhaps, as Christians today, we put an unhealthy emphasis on family above all else? Are we making an idol of family? In the Bible, Jesus told those around him to leave their families. This is something to think about.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Matthew 10:34-39 ESV)
July 19, 2016
My daughter says, "I LOVED IT!"
My son says, "It's awesome!"
These thoughts sum up our opinion of this book. It was an amazing testimony of God's heart for China and one man's obedience to Christ's call on his life. I especially enjoyed Roslind Goforth's role in their work. As a wife and mother, I often wonder what IS the work of a women or what does it look like to come along side her husband? Even though she was not the focus of this biography, I felt her life was represented enough to give us a taste of how valuable she was to the work done overseas. This is one book I'm sure to revisit!
My son says, "It's awesome!"
These thoughts sum up our opinion of this book. It was an amazing testimony of God's heart for China and one man's obedience to Christ's call on his life. I especially enjoyed Roslind Goforth's role in their work. As a wife and mother, I often wonder what IS the work of a women or what does it look like to come along side her husband? Even though she was not the focus of this biography, I felt her life was represented enough to give us a taste of how valuable she was to the work done overseas. This is one book I'm sure to revisit!
October 26, 2016
Hard to Stop Reading
The inspiring story of how a simple farm boy became the man, who along with his wife, brought the gospel to China. Unbelievable courage and dedication that few display in our gilded age.
Written in a style that makes it easy to read, I found it hard to put down once I got going with the story. In addition to the Christian inspiration, I also learned some interesting history lessons of China that carry meaning even to this day providing insight into the Chinese mindset towards the West and what influenced it. A very enjoyable and worthwhile read.
The inspiring story of how a simple farm boy became the man, who along with his wife, brought the gospel to China. Unbelievable courage and dedication that few display in our gilded age.
Written in a style that makes it easy to read, I found it hard to put down once I got going with the story. In addition to the Christian inspiration, I also learned some interesting history lessons of China that carry meaning even to this day providing insight into the Chinese mindset towards the West and what influenced it. A very enjoyable and worthwhile read.
September 10, 2012
Jonathan Goforth will make you re-exam your life and what you are or aren't doing for Christ. He and his wife gave their whole lives to serving Christ in China and are a great example of what a Christ follower should be.
September 23, 2014
I loved this biography of Jonathan Goforth! :D
January 7, 2018
I own this series and am working my way through them all. This has been one of the most challenging to me in the area of evangelism and how intentionally I engage the people around me to offer the good news of salvation through Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews