Grace to the Nations

John McDonald. 192pp

Written to celebrate GBM’s 150th Anniversary in 2011, this is a lively and readable account of GBM’s history through huge changes and world upheavals. The early chapters explain the roots of the then Strict Baptist Mission, their passion for India, and the early days of the pioneer missionaries in Tamil Nadu.

The story of how the gospel came to the Kolli hills, and how a network of churches was planted across South India is a long way from where we are now, yet those early missionaries laid down principles and convictions about cross-cultural mission that still shape our work today. The aim was indigenous churches, and every means possible was used: radio, medical missions and literature vans, outreach to women by women and much more.

In 1967 Mrs Gandhi closed the door to new missionary visas, a God-given earthquake for the Mission that sent us ‘Into all the world’. The book covers the changes of the 1970s, the rediscovery of a church-based model of mission, and the rapid expansion of the 1980s across the world. The final chapter reflects on the leadership of the Mission, and includes a revealing interview with Chris Richards who served as General Secretary for over twenty-five years.