John and Betty Stam: Missionary Martyrs (Vance Christie)

John and Betty Stam

Missionary Martyrs

“The fateful day began with deceptive normalcy at John and Betty Stam’s missionary residence in Tsingteh, China. Both the wood-burning stoves had been lit and were starting to heat up nicely, helping to lessen the chill that gripped the large old house that cold, early December morning. The Stams, along with the six Chinese who lived with them in the house, had already eaten breakfast.

“John hoped to study and get some correspondence done that morning. Betty was preparing to give their three-month old baby, Helen Priscilla, a bath, with some assistance from the amah Mei Tsong-fuh. The cook, Li Ming-chin, busied himself in the kitchen. His wife, mother, and two children similarly had begun their various daily activities.

“John and Betty had been in Tsingteh for just two weeks. They had come there under the auspices of the China Inland Mission (CIM) to oversee the infant Christian work that had been established in the southern portion of Anhwei Province. There were very few Christians in the area, but the Stams were thrilled at the prospect of carrying out pioneer evangelistic work to help bring the Gospel to that needy part of China.”

So begins this gripping story of missionary endeavor in China. For anyone who thinks that heroic missionary work is a thing of the distant past, this 20th-century story is a valuable read.

About the Author

Vance Christie is a pastor and author specializing in missionary biographies. He lives in Aurora, Nebraska and has previously written for the Heroes of the Faith series.

Endorsements

“In a short book of just about 200 pages, biographer Vance Christie tells the story of the lives of these two saints. Through their short lives they made an impact on the souls of many Chinese; through their deaths, suffered willingly for the cause of their Savior, they inspired many more. And even today, through books like this, they speak of the love they had for the One who had saved them. This is a very good missionary biography and one I enjoyed thoroughly.”

— Tim Challies, blogger at www.challies.com

“While students at Moody Bible Institute, John and Betty felt God’s call to the mission field of China — where within a few years they had been arrested by hostile Communist soldiers, held for ransom, and then beheaded. Though their mission was brief, their courage led hundreds of other young men and women to volunteer for missionary service.”

— Barbour Books

“Saturday morning I finished reading John and Betty Stam.  What a tremendous blessing this was to me! It encouraged, strengthened, and convicted me. I will be passing it on to my older children as well.”

— Paul Tautges, Pastor-Teacher, Immanuel Bible Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Table of Contents

1. Captured
2. A Devout Heritage
3. Boyhood Training
4. Girlhood in China
5. Fuller Surrender
6. Growth in Faith
7. Blossoming of Love
8. “Go Forward”
9. Voyage to China
10. A Surprise Reunion
11. Language School
12. Fruitful Ministry Opportunities
13. Ministering Amidst Danger
14. Further Disciplined Training
15. New Assignments
16. A Short Itineration
17. Alone in Ministry
18. Encouraging Language Progress
19. Beginning Life Together
20. First Service Together
21. Further Itinerations
22. Becoming Parents
23. Final Days
24. The Miracle Baby
25. A Worldwide Impact