Missionary Stories with the Millers

Miller Family

by Mildred A. Martin (Illustrator), Edith Burkholder (Illustrator)

Experience thrilling adventure as the Christian missionaries on these pages meet witch doctors, disease, drought, hate-filled guerillas, a Bible thief, and killer cats. Each story is based on actual happenings from the lives of real people.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Faith, Christianity

205 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compilation of stories about missionaries from all around the globe. Some we had read in biographies in the past but most were new to us. They kept everyone's attention well!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Wisdom and the Millers growing up so I was familiar with this fictional Mennonite family that the book begins with. I read this book as part of my child's homeschool curriculum as a select read aloud. I really enjoyed all the variation of stories from all over the world and the miraculous works of God portrayed. It was a great introduction to the world of missions for my young 7 year old and she really loved it. Obviously the book was a bit heavier on the Mennonite missionary focus but included many famous missionaries throughout many decades. There were a couple of stories I didn't love simply because they focused so heavily on things like alcohol being the stuff of the devil in substance alone and the reason for the depravity seen, which is not what I believe. It is the heart that is defiled, and alcohol has no inherent immorality as a substance. I understand this is the position of the author though. There were a few places I would part ways slightly as a reformed believer on some of the phrasing about the theology of the book but nothing major and not enough for me to not recommend. Aside from that we enjoyed it and thought it was a great overview of some amazing stories of what our great God has done all over the world to show His power and might.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to see this book end. While reading it to my 7yr old, my 10yr old daughter would always listen with one ear open while she was supposed to be reading her own school books. I can't rave enough about it! It engaged us in true stories of missionaries across the globe throughout many centuries of time. It demostrates TRUE FAITH in action and God's faithfulness to answer when we need Him most. Also, each story was an opportunity to reiterate the continents and countries since each takes place in a new place and time. Another geographical tool beneficial to us is the global map above each story's title, showing the area of interest blackend and an arrow pointing to it.

[Emmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was part of our homeschool curriculum this year, and it was such a fun book to read with the kids. There are stories about missionaries all over the world and we got to hear how God has done miraculous things for His people. I love hearing the ways God works and it was great reading this book as a family during our school time. What a great way to share how great God is and talk about what God does as well as learn about different cultures at the same time. I absolutely recommend this book!

[Nicole Brockwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this outloud to my children and it is fantastic. We read a chapter at a time but just finished yesterday. I nearly cried because it is so moving. We loved hearing the true stories of God moving in these missionaries’ lives. Often we would google their names and see where they currently lived or when they died.

Highly highly recommend this to enrich your (and your children’s) spiritual lives.

Second read - 2025

[Lisa Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a family read aloud and we all really enjoyed it! Short, exciting missionary stories. A few stories do not end happily but are told in a gentle way and were a great jumping off point for rich discussions as a family.

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. "West to the rest" missiology where the white man saves the ignorant, dark-skinned savages. And yes, the mention of skin color and awful depictions of the natives comes up in just about every chapter.

[Jake Steen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Too many exclamation points! It got annoying! Other than that the book was really good and encouraging! So cool to hear about some missionary stories! There were a few typos! But seriously I really enjoyed the book as a whole!
(See what I mean, just too many exclamation points)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like this book more if the writing wasn't so barbaric.

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made a great read-aloud for my kids (ages 4-8). I skipped a couple short sections that were a little graphic for young kids, but otherwise we really enjoyed it all. The chapters are short and action-packed to keep kids’ attention. Many encouraging reminders of God’s faithfulness to His people!

[The Book Distiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our absolute FAVORITE family read-alouds. It encourages me, and my kids. This is a keeper of a book, and one to be read and reread

[Sasha (bahareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This is not the first time or even the second time even that I'm reading Missionary Stories with the Millers , but it is the first time I'm reading it as an adult. I recall loving the stories about harrowing escapes and God coming through to protect the people He had called to missions. I still did enjoy those parts of the story in this re-read. However, there were a few things that rubbed the wrong way in this book. Some of the particular language used like "noble savage," emphasis on the difference in skin tone, and the looking down of people's customs made me feel icky. I think some of the language could have been phrased better to portray what the author meant. I wish there would have been more facts in the story, Martin quotes where she got these stories from, but some seem to be a story with added fancy bits for dramatic effect.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of true stories of missionaries of different time periods and places. It was easy to read and well-written. My eight-year-old son enjoyed reading it, and I did, too! It was really inspiring to read about how God worked in impossible situations. There were stories, too, of those who gave up their lives for the sake of the Gospel. In all things--the miracles and the suffering--God's purpose and glory shone through!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a great book to read to your kids, this is perfect--exciting true stories from missionaries around the world including wild animals, plane crashes, miracles and God's faithfulness. I always felt like a big dork reading it, because I choked up on every story. =D A great book to inspire a missional heart in your kids.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing read for younger kids on missionaries. All the stories are based on actual missionaries and how God worked in their mission fields. Rush thoroughly enjoyed the stories and lessons. Homeschool Book.

[Edy Gies · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are great stories! It is hard to find good missionary stories that are conscise and interesting. I am teaching a Wednesday night Bible club this summer and am looking forward to teaching this to the kids.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one as much this time around. Some of the familiar stories were great (Nate Saint!), but there was way too much white-messiah and awkwardness in describing indigenous people in a way that I never noticed before.

[Tammy Bertelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are currently rereading this wonderful book. I love to see my kids eyes when they listen to these stories and hear bout what an amazing God we believe in!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun to read with the kids. THey are not perfectly ended stories - they are very real, and sometimes hard...but so faith inspiring. Wow.

[Corie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book to read with children. Gives several accounts from the lives of various missionaries. A caution: The first account is not suitable for young children.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

it tells you about missonary stories all over the world, David Livingstone, (on the cover) and lots of other stories about christans.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great family read aloud to show children the power of God.

[Abigail Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 8 years old. My Mom has also read this series out loud to us, reading a chapter each night to go along with our family devotions.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 9 year old daughter and she always begged me for another chapter. Great introduction to missions.

[JoAnne Styger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good, a great collection of short accounts about Christian missionaries.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars? It's an exciting read-aloud.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of true life missionary stories to read to your children. Good launching points for great discussion. We enjoyed it the first time and then again with my son.

[Laura Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I have read this book at least two times to my children. They are enthralled by each and every missionary story. This will be read in our house over and over again!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read to be inspired by the missionaries doing work throughout the world. The writing is simple for kids to understand, and we enjoyed reading it out loud together.

[Sarah McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book about miracles that happened to Christian missionaries out there in the wide world. God is amazing...