Five Who Changed the World

This is an incredible account of five of the greatest missionaries. Highly recommended for any mission-minded person, a must-read for anyone embarking on a short-term mission project.

If the old saying is true that dynamite comes in small packages, Five Who Changed The World, by Dr. Danny Akin is evidence. This small book contains five chapel messages Dr. Akin preached to the students and faculty of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In the messages, Dr. Akin links five great missionaries to a text of Scripture that uniquely describes their ministries. He links William Carey to the Great Commission passage of Matthew 28:16-20. Adoniram and Ann Judson exemplify Romans 8:28-39 while Bill Wallace of China lived and died in accordance with Philippians 1:21. Lottie Moon was an example of a living sacrifice talked about in Romans 12:1 and Jim Elliot personified Psalm 96. While none of the messages can be considered an in-depth biographical analysis, they are each rich with personal stories and quotes from diaries and historical accounts. Since each chapter was originally presented as a sermon, they are motivational, inspirational and focused on personal application. When read with a submissive heart, each chapter will leave the reader convicted and eager to work toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Each chapter brings the essential core of who each missionary was and highlights the God that moved them to do great things for Him. Whether the author's goal was for this little book to serve as a springboard for further study is not indicated, but be forewarned, each chapter is like receiving a small taste of gourmet food. The palate is energized and the appetite is whetted for more. The only negative critique of the book is the need for more expanded footnotes, a bibliography or a list of suggested readings to pursue in order to satisfy the appetite that it creates. With a book of this size, the temptation is to breeze through it in one sitting, but that temptation should be avoided. The most benefit can be gained by reading each chapter separately in a quiet time setting. Meditate on the associated biblical text and allow the individual missionary's life to illustrate it. Finally, determine how the Lord would have you to apply the text in your own life. In that way, this will be more than simply another dusty historical account of distant dead people. It will be a spark that will light a fire of evangelism and commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.