I want to thank Christian Focus Publications for providing me with a copy of Nate Saint: Operation Auca by Nancy Drummond in return for my honest opinion.
I read a lot of middle grade and young adult Christian biographies. A lot of them.
They all tend to be edifying, to point my mind toward Christ, and to help me contemplate how I spend the hours of my own life. I’ve found they tend to do the same for my children.
Few of them touch me so deeply that I cry.
Nate Saint Biography
Nancy Drummond’s new biography of Nate Saint is a rare emotional gem. Nate Saint: Operation Auca (Christian Focus Publications, 2012) is written for ages 9 to 14 (or to be used as a read-aloud for younger children) for Christian Focus’ Torchbearers line. The Torchbearers series covers the lives of Christian martyrs in a narrative fashion.
Nate Saint Facts
- Nate Saint gave his life to the Lord at a summer camp when he was thirteen.
- He committed to follow God’s leading in his life, and proceeded to pursue his life’s passion, flying.
- Nate followed God’s leading into the military during World War II.
- He then served with Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship.
- Nate’s work for CAMF in the jungles of Ecuador allowed missionaries on the ground to continue their work in a way they had been unable to without airborne support.
- During his time in the jungle, Nate invented a number of safety and communication features which improved aviation everywhere.
Nate Saint the Missionary
It was Nate Saint’s passion for reaching an isolated, violent tribe that drove Operation Auca forward. Nate and five other missionaries conspired to make contact with the tribe, repeatedly dropping gifts. Eventually, they felt it safe to proceed with their plans to land on the ground and make physical contact with the Auca people. The plan was to create an outpost and visit the Aucas regularly.
If you haven’t heard the story of Nate Saint and Jim Elliot, I’m not going to ruin it for you. It’s inspiring to say the least. In fact, you can find the story of Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool in the same series. Nate Saint’s sacrifice for the Auca people had far-reaching consequences. His life impacted the lives of others in amazing and unexpected ways.
Nancy Drummond does a fantastic job of running the theme of God’s sovereign guidance and provision through Nate Saint: Operation Auca. She repeatedly points to God’s hand in Nate’s life, even in the unpleasant events such as when Nate contracts pneumonia. Her writing allows kids to see the purpose in the pain.
That’s what made me cry.
Nate Saint’s martyrdom should be a terrible loss for humanity. It should be a pointless tragedy. We should shake our heads in horror at the savage loss of his life. Yet, Nate Saint’s martyrdom was a victory for the Gospel of Christ. It’s a heroic tale of a man and his wife, sold out for Jesus and willing to give all for the cause of Christ. It’s the story of how God uses people to bring glory to His name.
It’s the story of how our humble service in His name can continue generations after we have joined Jesus after our lives here are done.
I highly recommend Nate Saint: Operation Auca by Nancy Drummond. Bravo, Nancy.
Purchase Nate Saint: Operation Auca
Nate Saint: Operation Auca (Torchbearers)
OR, at Christian Book:
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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