Wilfred Grenfell: Fisher of Men

Christian Heroes: Then & Now #21

by Janet Benge, Geoff Benge, Tim Gregory (Narrator)

The icy Arctic cold stabbed at Wilfred's fingers and toes. A howling wind was pushing the ice pan he was stranded on out to sea - and with it hope of rescue. His clothed, soaked when his dogsled fell through the ice, were now frozen. Lying near his sled dog for warmth, Wilfred fought off sleep, knowing he might never wake up.
 
Adventurous Wilfred Grenfell was no stranger to danger. As a new Christian, this English doctor ministered to fishermen on the deadly North Sea. And when he heard about the appalling poverty and injustice across the ocean in Newfoundland, he went to work among the desperately poor fishing communities of the wild, remote Labrador coast.
 
There Dr. Grenfell pioneered life-saving hospitals, schools, orphanages, and fishermen's co-ops as he shared the hope of the gospel with people whose lives had offered only despair. For good reason, everyone from heads of state to destitute children revered Sir Wilfred Grenfell for his kindness and courage. (1865-1940)

This best-selling, missionary biography series - Christian Heroes: Then & Now - chronicles the exciting, challenging, and deeply touching true stories of ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory. 

Genres: Biography, Christian, History, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion, Theology

Audiobook

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book to read about a sea loving Dr Wilfried Grenfell from England. He was a medical missionary to the poor coastal fishing communities of Newfoundland and Lavender. He spent about 40 years there and was knighted by King George V of England in 1927.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating portrayal of a passionate missionary in a little-known mission field of the last century. It held particular interest to me as my great-grandfather served with him for two years (1904-1905) in Red Bay. I also loved learning more about the culture and history of my grandmother's birthplace. Well-written, exciting, and enlightening.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grateful to have had a chance to read up on a historical figure that I had never heard of who made such a huge impact to so many. Grenfell was an adventurer, he was determined, and saw his dreams to fruition.

[Abby Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of dreaming, serving, and perseverance.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series of biographies. Though written for children ages 10+, the series is great for adults too. Approximately 200 pages, each book provides a moderately thorough view into the lives of dozens of Christian heroes. If you want to learn a bit more about missionaries and/or other Christian greats---but don't want to read a tedious 500-page biography---this series ought to fit the bill nicely. Each book I've read has been either 3 or 4 stars.

This particular book, about Wilfred Grenfell, brought me face-to-face with a man I had never even heard of. His story reads like an adventure novel. I was inspired to learn a bit more about Newfoundland and Labrador while reading of his ministry there.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*, I had never heard of this man and was grateful to learn of his life as a whole. In the beginning I wasn't very impressed with him and how he never seemed to settle down. Yet I think that energy helped him in his life's mission to the Newfoundland and Labrador areas. It was really interesting towards the end of the book as many really big world events happened overlapping with Dr. Grenfell's life (Titanic sinking, WW1, flu epidemic, start of WW2).

Considerations: Starts out on the 2nd page with a life threatening situation in which the MC has to kill 3 of his sled dogs to survive, pg 14 age 10 reading in class a poem about a young woman drowning, pg 15 talking about watching, at age 9, fisherman who drowned, pgs 17-18 parents go away in the summer, MC age 10 and older brother, 12 roam free because the school matron is busy with their youngest brother, pg 19 stay out all night with fishermen, pg 21 sneak away on Sabbath when supposed to return to his room. All of the above is in the first 10% of the book, it improves somewhat after that but is more suited to mature high schoolers or adults in my opinion.

pg 30-31 paid recorder to mark him in class when he wasn't, hired a "crammer" to help him pass his exams. On pg 43 he realizes it was wrong to do those things.
pg 52 mentions he takes naked snow baths on deck in winter
pg 98 mentions a man who killed his 2 youngest children and then committed suicide
pg 132 he** (not used as profanity, speaking of the place)
pg 143 3 yr old girl who had both her feet chopped off after frostbite
pg 154 repeat of the first two pages talking about almost dying, having to kill sled dogs

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. I had never heard of this man. It was kind of fun to read about Newfoundland, Labrador especially because I hope to go to that area next week. What a life well-lived. He became a doctor to serve people. So interesting that there was a mission organization dedicated to men who worked on ships. He got married later (age 44). He saw the woman, kind of younger than him by 20 years and he proposed to her. She did not accept right away. She became a great companion. Sadly she died long before him. He lived in the latter part of the 19th century all the way to WW2. He found it hard not to work, hard to retire. I know about that.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

*HOD World Geography* I enjoy all of the Christian Heroes books by the Benges, and this one is no exception. It is filled with interesting details about the geography of Labrador & Newfoundland, the fishing industry, how the people live and work, and the creativity of the missionaries in helping the local people. Grenfell was untiring in his work to improve their lives, and his story is truly inspirational: he gave his all with what he had.

[Rebecca Tredway · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening story—the hook, if you will—almost turned me away from reading the rest. I’m glad I persevered because this turned out to be a fascinating biography that reminded me that God wants to redeem every corner of the earth. Now I’ve got done rabbit trails to follow… the Labrador coast, Grenfell’s legacy, the Moravians, and an intriguing woman named Rebecca Protten.

I cannot recommend these books enough for fellow Christians.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like so many Christian missionaries, Grenfell didn't choose a life of comfort, but chose to live mostly along the harsh Labrador coastline. He chose to take his medical training to the poor fishing communities there, and he left behind a legacy of hope through the gospel and comfort through the hospitals, orphanages and schools he established.

[Alejandro Ramírez Badillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otro gran libro
Muy bien escrito y traducción impecable
Sobre el personaje ni que decir una biografía que inspira
Estos libros deberían ser leídos por todos alguna vez pero sobre todo los jóvenes deberían leer esta serie de libros
“Jucum” en español
Un buen año de buenos libros
4 Estrellas
Algunos capítulos eran redundancias

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very captivating parts (first half, meeting his wife) and other parts were pretty boring.
Could have been paced better, but this series is consistent with book lengths, so I think they stretched material to meet the page number.

Still worth reading, and I was I was inspired by many parts. Not the best choice for a read aloud though. Better as a book to read by yourself.

[Mikaela Dursma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another read aloud with the boys! It was so fascinating to read more about the North Sea and the Labrador Coast. It’s not a place I’ve really delved into. Such harsh conditions, but the Lord gave Grenfell a true love of the people and a desire to be there which seems so sacrificial, but he truly wanted to be nowhere else. Seeing how his dreams came to fruition was just so cool.

[Marcela Lema · Rating 5 out of 5]

El libro narra la inspiradora historia de la vida de Wilfred Grenfell, quién poseyendo un espíritu aventurero, fue utilizado por Dios para evangelizar a los pescadores del Ártico y para además transformarse en una gran ayuda para que los pescadores pudieran mejorar su calidad de vida.
La historia está llena de escenas emocionantes vividas al límite, pero de gran inspiración y ejemplo de vida.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because Winfred Grenfell was such an adventure man going to New Foundland and Labrador back in the 1800’s! He ministered and was a physician for the North Sea fisherman. He raised tons of money to build and staff hospitals and nurse stations. This is an amazing book.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good biography. I don't remember if I've ever even heard of Wilfred Grenfell before but what an amazing godly man he was. My daughter and I really enjoyed listening to the audio of this book, it was a little above my son's age level 4.5yo, but he did listen to some of it.

[Cedric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book — full of emotions and action — well describes scenes, has definitely been one that’s caught my attention more than some of the others. And I can’t really say much more than that. But it left me… thinking.

[Kaitlyn Rinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was convicting to read his dedication of his work as a doctor and preacher for Christ in Newfoundland. I love reading about missionaries I haven't heard of before. His testimony was so encouraging!

[Bridget Hubble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story about an amazing resilient man of God. His fortitude and endurance in the extreme conditions he worked and ministered in were truly remarkable qualities bestowed upon him from the Lord. Wow. Great story.

[Lea Berryreadinbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, but still incredibly interesting

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book about a man who loved the ocean and the people who lived on its edge.

[Nala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very actiony and interesting.

[Bryan Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the life of Wilfred Grenfell.

[Annie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite of the Christian Heroes series so far.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a hero Wilfred Grenfell was. He did so much good! Make you wonder how could we do as much? And What could we start with?

[Marcene McClenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to hear the adventures of Wilfred, an adventure loving Christian. Had some Hatchet vibes as well.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A life well lived.

[Robert Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Wilfred Grenfell was really inspiring and one many others would read. It included everything from following, to facing challenges, and to trusting in God. All glory be to God.

[Jquick99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book was very entertaining and informative.

[RobertE. Graham]

Great Man

I loved the book. I read it after going to the Grenfell Centre in St. Anothny's. The man was amazing and to see how God used him is inspiring.