Overview

“Norris Groves was a dentist. He did well for himself in Exeter, England, in the 1820s. He gave to the poor and championed the abolition of slavery. Well off and respected, no one expected more of him. Except God.

Follow Norris Groves and his wife, Mary, as God led them through His Word to leave their familiar surroundings to take the gospel to Iraq. They traded comfort for war, famine, and disease. See how their life made a difference for God despite the fact that little fruit came from their pioneer missionary labors in the difficult Middle East. Find out how their influence for God turned out to be much different than they or anyone else expected. Discover how they helped to lay the seeds for the faith missions movement that blossomed after them through the work of George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and other more prominent missionaries.

Learn more about both Norris and Mary Groves when my new missions devotional comes out. The release date for Daring Decision will be announced soon! I highlight Norris on Day 20 and Mary just before him on Day 19. Subscribe for updates about its launch date (if you received this book review by email, you are already subscribed!). Contact me if you would like to join my launch team to organically promote this new missions resource.

Highlights

  • How God changes Groves’ wife’s heart to surrender to missions.
  • How God sustained Groves through famine, war, and bereavement while serving in Baghdad.
  • How God used Groves’ simple faith to influence the faith missions movement and such big names as George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and Alexander Duff.

Quotes

  • “In this world’s history, great things are not accomplished but by great sacrifices” (Norris Groves in Christian Devotedness, p. 32).
  • “When I was a schoolboy, attending Mr. Owen’s preaching at Fulham, India (I know not how or why) occupied my wishes, for I knew not Christ. . . . It would be a worthy object to die for, to go to India to win but one idolator from hopeless death to life and peace. Little did I think that I was ten times worse than he, as great a sinner and with non of his excuses.” (p. 18).
  • “My earnest desire is to remodel the whole plan of missionary operations so as to bring them to the simple standard of God’s word.” (p. 214)
  • “A thousand times my heart has said, ‘What awaits thee?’ and the answer is ‘Cast the burden of the future on the Lord.'” (p. 227)
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Other Sources

Norris and Mary Groves are highlighted in my upcoming missions devotional, Daring Decision: a 31-Day Journey with those who Followed God’s Leading. Find out more at www.mrconrad.net.