William Carey: Obliged to Go (Christian Heroes: Then and Now)

I have been wanting to read about William Carey for years. It was perfect to read to my children who are nine and eleven years old. We were doing a study on India. This book was the last part of the study. This book really covers a lot. The first half of it talks about Williams time as a child being a weaving family's son and how his father was a huge part of the state run church in the town where he grew up. When William does his apprenticeship, he becomes a Baptist, which at the time were dissidents. I love that because I'm an Anabaptist (which Baptists stem from). It was nice to learn of the convictions of Mr. Carey. In the late 1700s, the idea of missionaries was not one that was thought of at all. Because the disciples were the ones told to go out into all the world and preach the gospel, the 18th century believers felt they didn't need to do that anymore and just had to stay where they were and worry about their own country. William shook the people up with a book he wrote, and to take it further, he decided to go and do mission work in India himself, being rebellious once again as he did not have the permission of the East India Company to do so. I really felt this was so cool to read. My sons enjoyed it as well, even though I think the first few chapters bored them a bit. This missionary was sincerely the pioneer of his time. I love that he worked so hard and stayed in the country the whole time since arriving there, ministering to the Indian people without trying to change who they are, but to change the things that were filled with oppression and to encourage them to reach out into their own communities, even though it was dangerous for them to do so. A lot of change happened in the region where he was for the better. I love that this guy had a second grade education but taught himself how to speak and read in several languages (like 10+) and to do what he could to glorify the Lord no matter his heartaches. I mean, the man lost a lot of friends and family members along the way, but he continued to fight the good fight. LOVE!

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 love true stories of all the great things done as well as learning of the difficulties the people went through! Thank you Janet and Geoff! ❤️

Easy to read, would buy again

This is a great story about a man who goes and introduces our Messiah to India. Some of the reading can be a challenge, but otherwise it's a great story.

God created a man with an extraordinary mind and spirit and called him to missionary service! That man responded with amazing faithfulness and diligence to that call in spite of conflict! What God can do with a faithful servant!

As a current missionary working in South Sudan, I really enjoyed this book. I identified with many aspects of Mr. Carey's life. It was encouraging to read how his faith convicted and led him, challenged and inspired him, and carried him through many difficult journeys. I've thoroughly enjoyed all the books I've read from the Christian Heroes series. I would highly recommend them to audiences young and old! Easy to read and enjoyable.

Overcoming challenges, enduring persecution, winning souls, and inspiring others--that's the story of William Carey in a nutshell. If you want more details of this great Christian's life, I highly recommend this book. It isn't a heavy read, but it has plenty of substance. I have enjoyed all of the books of this series I have read, but this might be the best.

This series of biographies is wonderful for the whole family. We enjoy them as adults and our son loves them too. Great for read out loud too. They deal with the facts but in a family friendly way that we are grateful and confident as we introduce these great people in our home.

Excellent book

Awesome story! I was challenged by Carey's commitment.

Another great book by Janet and Geoff b. The perseverance of Carey is humbling. If your interested in Indian history from God's perspective - read this book.

this is a very good book, an excellent book detailing the life history of a very determined man of God