I have come up with a list of possible biographies for the Missionary Biography Challenge. Voting is now open.

You may use up to 12 votes (via the comments). They can be cast at different times- so if you know you want to vote for two now and research others, you can do so. You can split up to two of the votes into halves, so if there are four you can’t narrow down to two, you could give them each a half vote. You can assign more than one vote to a particular option. You can use a vote to vote against one of the books. Write-ins are also allowed.

That said, this blog isn’t exactly a democracy. I make the final decision (but as stated in the official guidelines for the Missionary Biography Challenge, you don’t have to read the same books I do to participate in the Missionary Biography Challenge. Since I make the decision, you might want to know that I am more persuaded by reason than popular opinion- so if you leave a comment backing up your vote, it will have more influence than a vote alone. I haven’t read any of these books yet, so I would really like input on them.

The list: (numbered for convenience in voting not to suggest ranking)

1. Two Lives of Faith: The Autobiographies of C. Oscar and Ruth M. Anderson Missionaries to China (This is about Michael’s great-grandparents, if it is selected I’ll provide more information on how to get a copy)
2. ~The Life and Diary of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards, online
3. The Personal Life of David Livingstone by William Garden Blaikie, online (lulu is cheaper than Amazon, so if selected I’ll make a pretty black and white version)
4. Mary Slessor of Calabar by W. P. Livingstone, online
5. Life of William Carey by George Smith online (Lulu is probably a better option than Amazon here too)
6. The Life of Saint Paul by James Stalker, online
7. Raymund Lull: First Missionary to the Moslems by Samuel Marinus Zwemer, online
8. John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides by John Gibson Paton, online
9. A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot
10. Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
11. ~Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
12. To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson
13. Bruchko by Bruce Olson
14. Mission to the Headhunters by Frank and Marie Drown
15. ~Running the Race: Eric Liddell— Olympic Champion and Missionary by John W. Keddie
16. St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography by Philip Freeman
17. In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham
18. Praying Hyde: Missionary to India by Basil Miller
19. ~Wycliffe in the Making by Hugh Stevens (available from Wycliffe’s store)
20. Henry Martyn: Pioneer Missionary to India and Islam by Jesse Page

Vote!

Update: Voting is now closed, but you can still leave comments.