Nate Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer (Christian Heroes: Then and Now)

This is a great series that can be enjoyed by young children and adults. I used them as part of the training for a short term missions campaign. Each of the fourteen team members read a different biography in this series and then reported to the rest of the team. It was reminder that the training topics we were learning were relevant and lived out by the faithful and fruitful missionaries introduced by this series of biographies. For many of the team this was their first introduction to reading Christian biography and they loved it! Positives of this series: 1) Great introductory overviews of the lives and ministries of the individuals. 2) Basic reading level for an increasingly illiterate culture 3) Short enough to be read quickly in a culture with an increasingly short attention span 4) Available in Kindle and audio book for the technologically inclined 5) Well written and holds your attention without being exaggerated and exploitative 6) Chapters are short and can easily be read to children at bedtime or by adults on lunch breaks Negatives of this series: 1) Due to their brevity and target audience the series does not deal with the more negative aspects of an individual's struggles with sin and the weaknesses in their personality as sinners saved by grace. 2) Does not come across as hagiography (so idealizing the person that it borders on idolatry) but these introductions are not the place to get the full picture of these godly but imperfect champions for God. Instead they are great springboards to more extensive biographies that deal with the fuller picture of these heroic but very human Christ followers.

I knew part of this story, having lived in Wisconsin, where Elizabeth Elliott had a radio ministry. It was fascinating and inspiring to read the account from another missionary family and their sacrifice. Thank you Janet and Geoff for bringing these great testimonies to all of us. I'm well on my way to reading all your books and encouraging others to do so, as well. Nancy China

I went to school with Nate Saint's son, Steve. One of the dorms on campus was named after Nate Saint. Such a short life -- and what seemed at first to be an horrific tragedy turned out to be one of the most awesome stories of redemption every told. I was even privileged, during my freshman year, to hear Nate's sister, Rachel, speak, and to see one of the original Auca Indians in person. Very impactful.

Our family has never read a Geoff and Janet Benge book that disappointed us. Every story is encouraging and interesting. The story of Nate Saint is sad but also uplifting, and we're thankful to be able to read about his life.

Bittersweet book. My son read it for a school report.

Janet and Geoff Benge are as always totally reliable in their presentation of Christian biographies. Much appreciated at a time when it's difficult to find appropriate books to read. We have read several of their biographies and they are always well written and very enjoyable. We come back to this series time and time again.

Story is fascinating and inspiring but the narrative is simply written. Adults may feel they are reading a high school level book. The movie about Mr. Saint's life is also worth a viewing!

It is amazing how God uses our skills and passions that he ingrained in us as passions. Then uses those skills in us to be part of the Christian body to help share the gospel.