10+ Christian Biographies You Need to Read

I love reading Christian biographies- perhaps better than any other genre. There is something very powerful and uplifting about reading the stories of others who experienced persecution for their faith or overcame obstacles to preach the Gospel. These stories challenge my faith and many times, my comfortable life for a life of abandon to further the Kingdom of God. 

This year, I made it my goal to read biographies I’ve been eyeing for a while but had not gotten the chance to read. This list is by no means exhaustive, this is actually part 2 of a post I wrote 2 years ago, you can check out part 1 here. There are MANY Christian biographies but I especially love reading those having to do with persecution and missions. Therefore, several of the books I recommend in this list are partial to those subjects. 

If you are interested in Christian biographies, keep on reading! Oh, and by the way, these are simply in the order that I read them, not from best (they are all very good). 

No Compromise – Melody Green

I LOVE this book so much that after I finished reading it the first time I reread it immediately and will probably read it again and again. Keith Green is known for being a pioneer of Contemporary Christian Music. His songs like “Your Love Broke Through” and “Oh, Lord You Are Beautiful” became 80s Christian classics. But behind the music, was a man so in love with God and so devoted to his convictions, he was (and still is) known for his boldness and jealousy for the work of the Lord. He was -as the title aptly states- all about not compromising the Truth to please men. His great love for the Lord spills unto his music with strong anointing and continues to challenge Christians into a deeper and real relationship with God.

Even though his life was short (he died in a plane crash at 28) God accomplished so much through him and brought many into the Kingdom through his example of uncompromising obedience. You can read all about Keith Green’s life and legacy in this book written by his wife Melody. 

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In the Presence of My Enemies- Gracia Burnham

In May 2001, missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham were taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf (an Islamic terrorist group) from their hotel room in the Philippines while celebrating their anniversary. They remained hostages for over a year. Snatched away from their kids, family, and friends, the Burnams traded their missionary life for a year of horror and constant fear in the jungles of the Philippines. Gracia was ultimately rescued, but Martin was killed in the crossfire. 

In this emotionally, heart-breaking, yet encouraging story, Gracia recounts their experience at the hands of their captors and of Martin’s relentless love for the Lord and strength that kept Gracia strong. Reading of the Burnham’s ordeal and how they never lost faith and demonstrated godly love even to their enemies, made me analyze my own love toward others. What would I do, if I was kidnapped by terrorists? 

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Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus- Nabeel Qureshi

I’m pretty sure many of you have read this book, or at least heard about it. It is a must-read for all Christians and I highly recommend to Muslims. Nabeel Qureshi was a well-known Christian apologist for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and debated famous Muslim apologists. 

In this book, Nabeel tells his story of redemption, from Allah to Christ. Growing up in a Muslim home with super religious parents, Nabeel seemed the least likely person to convert to Christianity. But during college, he faced challenges by a friend against his beliefs- he simply could not ignore them. So he determined to seek answers to these questions and destroy the Christian Jesus argument once and for all. But instead, discovered the truth about his messiah. 

I learned so much about Islam; beliefs and how children are reared in it. This book will encourage you to learn apologetics, prepare for those who question you, and witness to Muslims. But mostly, to pray for the salvation of others. 

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The Autobiography of George Müller –George Müller

This one is a classic! If you haven’t read it yet, have you read anything? George Müller was the founder of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England and numerous other ministries in the 1800s. As a young man, he was a liar and a thief. But found Christ in his early twenties and never looked back. The rest of his life was marked by his complete dependence on God for EVERYTHING. 

A man of prayer and astounding faith, Müller founded the largest orphanage of his time, clothing, feeding, schooling, and disciplining thousands of children- not once did he ask for donations. Not once did he ask for financial support for ANYTHING. But instead, he asked the Lord for provision for everything- from bread and milk to money to support the orphanage and fund other ministries. Through his diary entries, we get a glimpse of what life in total surrender and dependence on God really looks like and His divine provision each time without fail. 

This book will boost your faith like no other, mark my words! 

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The Heavenly Man- Brother Yun

This is another one that will increase your faith and make you more grateful for your freedom and hopefully prompt you to pray for the persecuted church. 

Brother Yun, a.ka. “The Heavenly Man,” tells about his experience as a traveling preacher in the underground church of China. Suffering tremendous persecution, beatings, torture, forced labor, and imprisonment, Brother Yun survived to remind us all to remain strong in the faith. His unfailing faith and shining light in dark prison cells, Brother Yun demonstrated godly love in its purest form and remains a great example and encouragement to Christians worldwide. 

It was also very eye-opening to the plight of the Chinese Church. The media doesn’t show how the government oppresses Christians in China and the tortures they implement on those who dare defy the state. 

I found much encouragement in my walk of faith but also convicted me greatly to seek the Lord even more with reckless abandon. He will always provide, as He did for Brother Yun. 

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Trapped in Hitler’s Hell- Anita Dittman

I have read many Holocaust survivors’ stories but never one like this one. Unlike most European Jews of the Holocaust, Anita was Messianic. It is a breath of fresh air to read the story of a young girl who had faith and found strength in God throughout the horrors of WWII. Most Holocaust survivors’ stories are tinted with a lack of faith in God and seem a bit depressing or even bitter at times, but Anita’s story is none of this. 

We read of a young girl’s strong, unrelenting faith in God how she survived not only the war and persecution but forced labor and family separation. She was a source of strength and light to her family, friends, and later, to fellow prisoners. She smuggled a Bible, led Bible studies and others to Christ in the concentration camp. Time and time again, she saw God’s protection and provision throughout all those years of horror. 

Not only was this book very inspirational and a faith booster, but I learned quite a bit too. As a Christian Jew, her experience during the Holocaust was a little different from others who were not Christian. This biography was definitely an eye-opener. 

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Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God- David McCasland

This one has got to be one of my favorites! I absolutely love this biography and recommend it! This is the story of Oswald Chambers, author of the classic devotional, “My Utmost for His Highest.” Chambers was a traveling preacher, Bible School Principal, YMCA Chaplain, and writer, but mostly, he was an amazing Bible teacher. His surviving books (compiled and organized by his wife, Biddy Chambers) attest to a man of deep Spiritual wisdom and humility. In this book, we learn about his life and get a backstage glimpse into his spiritual life through snippets of his journals, poems, and letters. 

Chambers was not only a phenomenal writer, but he had a way of making you see Spiritual matters from a different perspective. His writings really make you THINK and meditate and convict you to seek the Lord more. I often find myself thinking, “I had never thought of it that way” when reading his devotional and books. 

But behind it, all was a man devotedly in love with his Savior. His godly love overflowed in the way that he poured himself in the service unto others. This is a must-read! 

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Return to the Hiding Place- Hans Poley

If you’ve read The Hiding Place, you will want to read this one. Hans Poley was the ten Booms’ first “guest” in the BeJe. As a young university student, Hans was forced to either sign his allegiance to the Third Reich and be shipped to Germany as a laborer or hide. He was forced to do the latter. He recounts what life was like living with the ten Booms and the other “guests” as they came and went. We get the backstage look into the lives of Corrie, Betsie and Opa ten Boom from a different point of view. 

This is not the second part to The Hiding Place but rather a unique view of what life was like hiding in the ten  Boom’s home during WWII. Hans became involved in the Dutch Resistance and underground, ultimately getting caught and sent to a concentration camp where he stayed for 6 months before being released. His encounter with the ten Boom’s faith and devotion to God prepared Hans for the experiences he would later face. I thoroughly recommend it and the movie that was made based on this book!

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Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret- Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor

Hudson Taylor was one of the most well-known missionaries of all time. He spent 51 years in China and founded the China Inland Mission, now known as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship. In this biography written by his son and daughter-in-law,  we learn about Hudson Taylor’s spiritual life and how he arrived at a life of total abandon to the Lord and what it means to depend on God completely. 

Based on Taylor’s personal written accounts, this book is not so much of his life story but rather a running praise journal. We see the marvelous ways in which the Lord works through the day to day experiences. 

This was an inspirational read but more than that, it stirred my heart to embrace the beautiful truth of God at a whole new level. What was his spiritual secret? Read it to find out!

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Run Baby Run- Nicky Cruz

If you’ve read The Cross and the Switchblade you will want to read this one too. Nicky was born into a family that practiced Satanism and witchcraft. His parents were unloving and his own mother told him she hated him. Because of this, he grew up with bitterness and deep hatred toward everyone. Seeking a better life, he moved to New York from his native Puerto Rico as a youth. But life in the streets of New York only led to gangs, murder, drugs, sex, crime, and all kinds of depravity. In the eyes of the world, he as a lost cause until he met a young preacher named David Wilkerson. 

Nicky came to salvation through the love and persistence of David Wilkerson. He found redemption and mercy in the arms of his savior. Nicky went on to serve the Lord as an evangelist. This is his story. It gives us great hope that no one is too far gone that cannot be redeemed by God. 

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Honorable Mentions

• Mrs. Oswald Chambers
• The Insanity of God
• For the Glory
• Bonhoeffer
• Amazing Grace

Biographies I Want to Read

• The Life and Diary of David Brainerd
• End of the Spear
• Jungle Pilot
• If I Perish
• Joni: An Unforgettable Story
• Bruchko

So there you have it, 10+ Christian biographies to add to your TBR that make great fall readings. Do you have a favorite biography not mentioned here? Please share down in the comments, I’d love to know! I’m always on the lookout for good biographies to read!