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Your life might be on lockdown in much of the U.S. due to coronavirus. Could this be the perfect time to press into God’s leading in your life? You can spend extra time digging into his Word and watching documentaries and biographies of global outreach workers that have gone before you.

Watching missionary biographies can be a tremendous source of encouragement—and a wealth of knowledge.

I personally find the testimonies of those who paved the way for modern missions both inspiring and challenging. It’s inspiring to consider the hours of prayer that they poured out, the sacrifice of life as they knew it, and their life long commitments to take the name of Jesus to those who had no knowledge of him.

I’ve also found God dealing with my own heart amidst these biographies, revealing and convicting me of things that need light shined on them. He changes me to be more like Jesus, making me a more available vessel for him to work through. 

Considering most of your entertainment options are shut down in favor or social distancing, here’s my lineup of great missionary films I’ve watched recently. All of these are available FREE with an Amazon Prime subscription. (Every title is hyperlinked for you to begin as soon as you’re ready!)

The Biographies List

The Frontier

The missionary: Hudson taylor, British missionary to China, & founder of China Inland Mission (Cool FAct: His name is also listed in pinyin chinese in wikipedia)

Time: 1 hr. 38 min.

This film offers reflections on the life and principles of Hudson Taylor’s ministry and the continuation of those ideas within missions to the least reached peoples of the earth.

Stories shared come from war-torn Syria, India, and Iraq, with special emphasis on using medicine as an inroad for ministry. 

I loved the film’s challenge of viewing crises and chaos as its own unique mission field and the importance of counting the cost, being “all in” with what God asks of us.

Another reminder I love: Jesus is what matters most, abiding with him, worshiping him and spending time with him in prayer are things that will last for eternity. So it makes sense it’s from this place that we minister to others.

HOPE Has a Name

The missionary: various women

Time: 1 hr. 47 min.

This film captures the struggle and the heart of women around the world who have sought out and followed God’s lead for their lives. These ladies are sacrificially loving and bringing hope to the war zone in Congo, the streets of urban America, the bush of Africa, and closed nations around the world.

If you’re looking to be challenged as you consider God’s journey for your own life,  this is an inspiring watch!

C.T. Studd: Gifted Athlete and Pioneering Missionary

The missionary: C.t. Studd, English missionary to China, India, and AfricA

Time: 49 min. 

The story of C.T. Studd is one that draws you in and makes you want to watch it again and again.

His motto: “If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

Maybe it’s because we see the same pull of the world today towards wealth and fame and yet he forsakes it all to follow God’s lead. I’ve enjoyed sharing this one with our 11 year old boys as well. 

More worth watching:

Adoniram and Ann Judson: Spent for God (1 hr. 4 min.)

Teresa’s Route- From the Cradle to the Grave (41 min.)

Mama Heidi (52 min.)

Mark Buntain, Friend of God, Friend of Calcutta (59 min.)

Tip: To find more missionary biographies and films on Amazon Prime, search using the terms Faith, Spirituality & Documentary.

 

This post was another valuable contribution by Rebecca Skinner, an MK and adult TCK from Central and South America.

Fun fact: Rebecca and her husband were one of the first couples to met on eharmony.com and get married! This August, they’ll celebrate 18 years of marriage, They have twin boys.

The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement turned Rebecca’s world on its head! She desires to see local churches strategically collaborate to take the good news of Jesus to every people, tribe, and tongue.