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God's Hostage
The incredible true story of one man's imprisonment for the gospel; his brokenness, God's faithfulness and his eventual freedom.
In 1993, Andrew Brunson was asked to travel to Turkey, the largest unevangelised country in the world, to serve as a missionary. Though hesitant because of the daunting and dangerous task that lay ahead, Andrew and his wife, Norine, believed this was God's plan for them.
What followed was a string of threats and attacks,but also successes in starting new churches in a place where many people had never met a Christian. As their work with refugees from Syria, including Kurds, gained attention and suspicion, Andrew and Norine acknowledged the threat but accepted the risk, determining to stay unless God told them to leave.
In 2016, they were arrested. Though the State eventually released Norine, who remained in Turkey, Andrew was imprisoned. Accused of being a spy and being among the plotters of the attempted coup, he became a political pawn whose story soon became known around the world.
This is Andrew's remarkable story of his imprisonment and journey of faith.
In 1993, Andrew Brunson was asked to travel to Turkey, the largest unevangelised country in the world, to serve as a missionary. Though hesitant because of the daunting and dangerous task that lay ahead, Andrew and his wife, Norine, believed this was God's plan for them.
What followed was a string of threats and attacks,but also successes in starting new churches in a place where many people had never met a Christian. As their work with refugees from Syria, including Kurds, gained attention and suspicion, Andrew and Norine acknowledged the threat but accepted the risk, determining to stay unless God told them to leave.
In 2016, they were arrested. Though the State eventually released Norine, who remained in Turkey, Andrew was imprisoned. Accused of being a spy and being among the plotters of the attempted coup, he became a political pawn whose story soon became known around the world.
This is Andrew's remarkable story of his imprisonment and journey of faith.
- GenresChristian Non Fiction
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 15, 2023
Most books about believers who are imprisoned and persecuted for their faith (thinking of the multiple Corrie Ten Boom books I read recently as well as stories I’ve grown up with) paint a picture of God’s faithfulness through the other worldly peace, joy, hope, and intimate communion with Him these believers feel. This story is different. Andrew Brunson humbly and openly confessed that he was “the wrong guy” to be put in prison for his faith. He wasn’t strong, hopeful, or at peace. He was angry, afraid, and hopeless to the point of being suicidal. He was on several medications for anxiety and depression during his imprisonment. And most notably to me - he didn’t feel close to the Lord at all. But at the end of it all, the Lord taught him to trust Him even when He felt distant and silent. Andrew didn’t experience intimacy with the Lord in his prison cells. He experienced blind faith that defies all logic and feelings, yet is completely valid and true because of the Lord’s unconditional faithfulness and sovereign control. I was so encouraged to read the story of someone who hit rock bottom, but experienced God’s goodness and faithfulness in a way that wasn’t about feelings and emotions. Apathetic, doubt-filled, pessimistic, fearful Christians who desperately struggle to feel near to the Lord in the midst of suffering need to read this book. But please don’t be afraid to visit Turkey afterward…it’s a pretty awesome country.
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July 31, 2021Una historia única que testifica de la Gracia que sostiene en medio de los lugares más oscuros y en situaciones inesperadas.
Con toda sinceridad y sin apariencias el Pastor Andrew Brunson narra su tiempo en las diferentes cárceles de Turquía.
Con toda sinceridad y sin apariencias el Pastor Andrew Brunson narra su tiempo en las diferentes cárceles de Turquía.
December 24, 2019
This was... a little different than I’d expected. I’ve read several books on imprisoned Christians. This one was very open and honest about discouragement, fear, disappointment, depression, and doubts—and I found that to be very good. Because so often, we hold Christians who go through difficulties on a pedestal, as if they’re “super Christians” or something like that. You definitely don’t get that disillusionment with “God’s Hostage.”
Because it’s a true story, I hesitate to voice anything that would sound critical, because I don’t know what I would do in this situation and I don’t want to appear as a know-it-all or judgmental. Overall, I guess there just felt to be an imbalance. For instance, about 2/3 of the book was about his struggles and only the last 1/3 about his victory (which was still peppered with his doubts and struggles). At one point, he admitted that though he had doubted God and accused Him, he had asked forgiveness and regularly prayed for hours. But the focus was on the loneliness and depression, not on his communion with God unless it benefitted the prison situation. Because of this imbalance, when I think of the book as a whole, I think more of his depression than of his victory. I’m choosing to dwell on the small tidbits of positive lessons he learned—like the small mention of not dwelling on himself, but on others (mentioned for only about a page). It felt like when he finally surrendered to God’s will in his life and imprisonment, the story skipped through months and didn’t dwell on the positive like it had on the negative.
There is the whole situation of him considering suicide and turning to meds rather than to God that will cause some readers to not agree with his methods.
That being said, it was a very interesting read. Different from many of the imprisoned Christian books I’d previously read because Andrew Brunson wasn’t tortured, but often held in isolation. Because it’s an American Christian who was held, it brings it a little closer to home than stories of other imprisoned Christians who were held in their own nations.
*I received this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review*
Because it’s a true story, I hesitate to voice anything that would sound critical, because I don’t know what I would do in this situation and I don’t want to appear as a know-it-all or judgmental. Overall, I guess there just felt to be an imbalance. For instance, about 2/3 of the book was about his struggles and only the last 1/3 about his victory (which was still peppered with his doubts and struggles). At one point, he admitted that though he had doubted God and accused Him, he had asked forgiveness and regularly prayed for hours. But the focus was on the loneliness and depression, not on his communion with God unless it benefitted the prison situation. Because of this imbalance, when I think of the book as a whole, I think more of his depression than of his victory. I’m choosing to dwell on the small tidbits of positive lessons he learned—like the small mention of not dwelling on himself, but on others (mentioned for only about a page). It felt like when he finally surrendered to God’s will in his life and imprisonment, the story skipped through months and didn’t dwell on the positive like it had on the negative.
There is the whole situation of him considering suicide and turning to meds rather than to God that will cause some readers to not agree with his methods.
That being said, it was a very interesting read. Different from many of the imprisoned Christian books I’d previously read because Andrew Brunson wasn’t tortured, but often held in isolation. Because it’s an American Christian who was held, it brings it a little closer to home than stories of other imprisoned Christians who were held in their own nations.
*I received this book from the publisher and happily provided my honest review*
December 17, 2019
This book is very emotionally charged to read. Pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife Norrine had served as a missionary’s wife in Turkey for 23 years. Their love of the people and commitment to sharing the gospel with them ran deep. So much so they applied for a permanent visa and make the country their forever home. In 2016 they were both arrested. Norrine was shortly released but Andrew remained imprisoned for 735 days in horrible conditions. He was accused of being a spy and a terrorist. His is an incredible story of being persecuted for righteousness sake.
I applaud and admire Andrew’s courage to be transparent about his thoughts, emotions and testing of his faith. He didn’t pretend to be the hero or a super saint, just the real deal.
While I have never been imprisoned with false accusations nor faced any of the extreme trials he did, I have experienced emotions and situations in lesser situations that he shared. Andrew speaks of his time of depression, anxiety attacks, hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, fear, and even questioning his faith and God’s existence. Pretty extreme right? Some may read this a judge him. “He is a pastor! He is a Christian! He should have these thoughts and feelings!” Wrong! We are all flesh and of this world. Anyone in circumstances can falter and fall. That does not mean we are not Christ's. I felt like a failure during those times and that I was probably the only one or a rare few of God’s children to disappoint Him so. I am not happy the author went through these things but it helped me see even His strongest, most dedicated servants waver.
I have felt all of these in times that crushed my spirit and if most Christians were honest they would admit to the same. Satan can put us in a place where his attacks wear one down. He also admitted to needing medication to get through. This is frowned up on in the Christian community.
The bottom line is God delivered him! Did he fail as God’s man? No! He went through the fire and always came back to his Savior and God. As horrific as these events were, he came out stronger and is still serving God. Bravo Pastor Brunson! I received this book from Baker Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
I applaud and admire Andrew’s courage to be transparent about his thoughts, emotions and testing of his faith. He didn’t pretend to be the hero or a super saint, just the real deal.
While I have never been imprisoned with false accusations nor faced any of the extreme trials he did, I have experienced emotions and situations in lesser situations that he shared. Andrew speaks of his time of depression, anxiety attacks, hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, fear, and even questioning his faith and God’s existence. Pretty extreme right? Some may read this a judge him. “He is a pastor! He is a Christian! He should have these thoughts and feelings!” Wrong! We are all flesh and of this world. Anyone in circumstances can falter and fall. That does not mean we are not Christ's. I felt like a failure during those times and that I was probably the only one or a rare few of God’s children to disappoint Him so. I am not happy the author went through these things but it helped me see even His strongest, most dedicated servants waver.
I have felt all of these in times that crushed my spirit and if most Christians were honest they would admit to the same. Satan can put us in a place where his attacks wear one down. He also admitted to needing medication to get through. This is frowned up on in the Christian community.
The bottom line is God delivered him! Did he fail as God’s man? No! He went through the fire and always came back to his Savior and God. As horrific as these events were, he came out stronger and is still serving God. Bravo Pastor Brunson! I received this book from Baker Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
December 5, 2019
In 1993, Andrew Brunson was asked to travel to Turkey, the largest unevangelized country in the world, to serve as a missionary. Though hesitant because of the daunting and dangerous task that lay ahead, Andrew and his wife, Norine, believed this was God's plan for them.
What followed was a string of threats and attacks, but also successes in starting new churches in a place where many people had never met a Christian. As their work with refugees from Syria, including Kurds, gained attention and suspicion, Andrew and Norine acknowledged the threat but accepted the risk, determining to stay unless God told them to leave.
In 2016, they were arrested. Though the State eventually released Norine, who remained in Turkey, Andrew was imprisoned. Accused of being a spy and being among the plotters of the attempted coup, he became a political pawn whose story soon became known around the world.
My Thoughts: This should be a book that every Christian, every missionary should read. It gives us a realistic look at what it is like to "go unto the world" and evangelize. It isn't easy, and pastor Brunson is a classic tale of what it is like in the middle east.
This is pastor Brunson's story of how he was captured, the hardships he and his wife encountered. It tells us of their faith throughout this nightmare that they endured. This is an excellent book, one that we all should read.
What followed was a string of threats and attacks, but also successes in starting new churches in a place where many people had never met a Christian. As their work with refugees from Syria, including Kurds, gained attention and suspicion, Andrew and Norine acknowledged the threat but accepted the risk, determining to stay unless God told them to leave.
In 2016, they were arrested. Though the State eventually released Norine, who remained in Turkey, Andrew was imprisoned. Accused of being a spy and being among the plotters of the attempted coup, he became a political pawn whose story soon became known around the world.
My Thoughts: This should be a book that every Christian, every missionary should read. It gives us a realistic look at what it is like to "go unto the world" and evangelize. It isn't easy, and pastor Brunson is a classic tale of what it is like in the middle east.
This is pastor Brunson's story of how he was captured, the hardships he and his wife encountered. It tells us of their faith throughout this nightmare that they endured. This is an excellent book, one that we all should read.
December 23, 2019
I knew I wanted to read God's Hostage the moment I heard the author say "I'm very honest in this book." And right he was. He doesn't shy away from revealing the on-going physical, mental and spiritual struggles that marked his two-year imprisonment in Turkey. He has reason to be angry and frustrated given the wrongful accusations and deceptive ways the court and political leadership abused him, and if you didn't know the end of the story before opening up the book, it would be easy to tumble into depression alongside him. But if you read to the end, you'll find a marvelous conclusion and insights about the ways of God that Andrew Brunson experienced first hand. And I suspect you will find yourself questioning if you could have endured what Brunson went through or ponder if you have reached that place of surrender to God that Andrew faced in a lonely, prison cell. It's a remarkable story and one I hope every Christ-follower reads to become better prepared for what undoubtedly many of us will face one day. -- The audio version, narrated by the author, makes the story take on greater impact as you hear the emotion behind every word.
February 23, 2020
I've committed to reading more missionary biographies this year. I recall brunson's name from being unjustly imprisoned in Turkey a few years ago and the US government demanding his release, but it's incredible to read all the details and corrupt political posturing that surrounded his imprisonment, trials, and release. I appreciate that brunson was very transparent about his struggles and crisis of faith during imprisonment, but I was left looking for more.... It seemed that his devout Muslim cellmates lived in greater victory than he, and from a Christian perspective, that was discouraging. Yet, by the end he acknowledges that the global prayer movement started on his behalf is perhaps the Lord's way of bringing spiritual harvest to Turkey, and for that he was willing to be God's hostage. 3.5 stars
January 21, 2024
Andrew Brunson, in the midst of current wars, propoganda, general dishonesty and cheating, your honesty and openness is refreshing. Please don't get me wrong on this one, your imprisonment and mental and emotional torture doesn't make for a for a feel good story but your 'telling it like it is' with no frills, fancies or coverup of your reactions is not something that I have read of very often. Thank you for your honesty.
I found the book gripping and inspiring and I rejoiced at the happy ending. I have already recommended it to a number of my friends as a good, worthwhile read.
I found the book gripping and inspiring and I rejoiced at the happy ending. I have already recommended it to a number of my friends as a good, worthwhile read.
February 1, 2020
Every senator and representative of the United states Congress should read this book
March 2, 2022
Amazing how god works
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2025
I appreciate Andrew's honesty and openness. We are weak, He is mighty!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews