What was your first impression?

Well, it was free! My first impression was that it was not the sort of book
I would normally choose but I was keen to read it. The title sounds like the
sort of book you should read. The back cover begins, ‘Are you tired of
self-centredness and long to be more eternally-minded? Do you desire to
make a difference in the lost world but aren’t sure how to go about it?’

What's it about?

This book is about a man called K P Yohannen who became a preacher while
still young and in his native India. It charts his life from then to him becoming
the founder of Gospel for Asia. The book explains how that charity has grown
and developed. It also explains why the philosophy of Gospel for Asia is so
important, training up missionaries to reach people in their own countries,
and why supporting their work is so vital. K P Yohannen knows his stuff as far
as mission goes and what he has to say is both illuminating and humbling.

What did you like about it?

I loved the autobiographical part about his youth and his vision for mission
growing into Gospel for Asia. I loved his passion for saving the lost people
who have never heard the gospel before it is too late. Funnily enough, I liked
the challenge to my own lifestyle that this book brought. It caused me to begin
to reassess the way I live and how I should be living. I think it is important
for us to be challenged in this way.

What didn't you like?

I didn’t much like the way he seemed to need to repeat why Westerners need
to give money to the missionaries of the East. I had understood it the first
time but by the twentieth time, it was a bit laboured. I also grew to see that
this book seemed to have been written with the aim of producing more financial
supporters of Gospel for Asia. Also, by Westerners, he often showed that he
meant Americans and therefore I didn’t feel like I was his intended audience.

What will you still remember a year from now?

The powerful stories of missionaries whose families live in poverty because
preaching the gospel to as many people as possible and planting churches is
the most important place for the money to go. The images of Western missionaries
living in the east in western style housing, with servants and books, and gardens
and imported food will also remain.

Who would you recommend this book to?

Any Christian really, though it is not the easiest read ever.

Can you give us a couple of good quotes from the book?

As I prayed, my heart ached for these men who came to the altar. How many
would be beaten and go hungry or be cold and lonely in the years ahead? How
many would sit in jails for their faith? I prayed for the blessing and protection
of God on them – and for more sponsors across the seas to stand with them. They
were leaving material comforts, family ties and personal ambitions. Ahead lay
a new life among strangers. But I also knew they would witness spiritual victory
as many thousands turned to Christ and helped to form new congregations in the
unreached villages of north India.’

‘Day after day I continue with this one message: Hungry, hurting native missionaries
are waiting to go on to the next village with the Gospel, but they need your
prayer and financial support. We are facing a new day in missions, but it requires
the co-operation of Christians in both the East and West.’

You can obtain a free copy of this book by visiting the Gospel for Asia website
below, and following the link marked "Free Book" from the home page.

Reviewed by Hilary