Overview
Exploration in Asian jungles. Penetration of dark canyons cut off from the light of the gospel. Constant spiritual warfare. Persevering prayer that overcomes the obstacles. Joy from communion with God despite discouragement from lack of results and demonic oppression. Accounts of light overcoming darkness as whole villages came to Christ. The biography of James O. Fraser offers all this and more.
Geraldine Taylor unfolds Fraser’s story in her book, Behind the Ranges: The Life-Changing Story of J. O. Fraser. I have come back to this biography repeatedly from the beginning of my ministry. Fraser’s faithful example and God’s amazing work through him encourage me to pray persistently, serve faithfully, and persevere in the face of obstacles that only God can overcome. Every Christian can benefit from reading this book.
While written in an older style, Taylor’s communication is quite clear, and her Christian testimony comes through without obscuring that of the subject of her biography. At times, the biography is rather devotional which does not detract from the book as a whole. In addition, Taylor includes many lengthy quotes from Fraser’s correspondence which give the reader and excellent idea of the man himself from his own writings. Bottom line–this book will encourage you. Get it and read it!
Highlights
- Fraser’s missionary journeys alone into the jungles of the Yunnan province of China.
- How God raised up prayer circles who interceded for Fraser and the evangelization of the Lisu people.
- How no fruit became abundant fruit that only God could have produced.
- Practical lessons in indigenous missionary and ministry methods.
Quotes
- “Solid, lasting missionary work is done on our knees” (p. 47)
- “I cannot insist too strongly on my own helplessness among these people apart from the grace of God. Although I have been now ten years in China and have had considerable experience with both Chinese and Lisu, I find myself able to do little or nothing apart from God’s going before me and working among them. Without this I feel like a man who has his boat grounded in shallow water. Pull or push as he may, he will not be able to make his boat move more than a few inches. But let the tide come in and lift his boat off the bottom—then he will be able to move it as far as he pleases, quite easily and without friction.” (p. 173)
- “Preparation, delay, and growth are the characteristics of God’s working both in history and in nature. . . . We cannot fret souls into the Kingdom of Heaven; neither, when they are once converted, can we worry them into maturity.” (p. 162)
Other Sources
James Fraser is highlighted in Daring Devotion, Day 7.
