Books published by publisher Christian Focus

Charles Spurgeon was a simple country lad who went on to become one of the best-known preachers in London, Europe and the world.Caught in a snowstorm one night Charles snuck into the back pew of a dusty country chapel. He had no idea that as well as escaping the freezing temperatures outside he would be faced with the most important decision of his life.A wrinkled old man started to preach. Charles thought it would be a thoroughly boring service - but with the words "Look unto Jesus and be saved!" a cold and grumpy teenager began to realise that God's word can change you, completely!The simple country lad became a man who mixed with princes and beggars. He spoke words that touched the hearts of rich and poor alike. His fame became so widespread that it is reputed that even Queen Victoria attended one of his sermons. The Queen of England came to listen to the Prince of Preachers. But Charles was more concerned about the King of Kings - Jesus Christ.At night I've been reading my kids a biography of Charles Spurgeon by Christian Timothy George. It's in the Trailblazers series for children published by Christian Focus. They have biographies of great saints from Church history ranging from Jonathan Edwards and John Calvin to Bill Bright and Martyn Lloyd Jones...I'm impressed by the books that Christian Focus is putting out. If you have children, be sure to check them out.Josh Harris - On his blog

Have you ever asked "Why did God allow Adam and Eve to sin? Why did he create mosquitoes? What is God's plan for me?" Sometimes we have really tough questions. We wonder if there is anyone who can give us an answer. Some questions are about life, some are about death - some of them are even about God. How can we get answers to questions about God and the Bible? Well - one way is to read the Bible - the Word of God. Joel Beeke helps us by taking our questions about life, death, sin, salvation and many other topics we can find confusing and teaching us what God says in his Word. Sometimes we have tough questions, sometimes we don't get the answers we want or expect, but the Word of God is faithful and we can trust that what we need to know, God will reveal to us.Children from a variety of backgrounds have come up with the questions in this book and Joel Beeke has done his best to answer these in the light of God's Word. These are real questions from real children in real life situations - and a real pastor with a genuine concern for their souls takes them to the one true God and the real gospel.

Many looked on Gladys Aylward's expedition to mainland China as foolhardy and dangerous. It was.On her own, as a single female she carried her passport and other documents along with the only money and belongings that she in a small briefcase with a teapot and a saucepan tied to the handle.After having purchased her one-way ticket to China she left the United Kingdom with a single-minded determination to do what God had commanded her to. She knew she was meant to go to China - even if no mission was prepared to support her.Unconventional is the only way to describe this journey to the country that would eventually become her home. A theme that would continue throughout her mission work in China where she thwarted authorities became involved in the Chinese resistance and rescued over 100 children from the invading Japanese army.Written for 9-14 year olds.‘It has all the cannot-put down quality one could wish for in such a story. Absolutely ideal for the age group but those older would also enjoy reading it. The 21 chapters are short and would be excellent to read to younger children who still enjoy a bedtime story. The Gospel is interwoven throughout as the life and ministry of Gladys unfolds.'The Gospel Magazine (Nov/Dec 2003)TRY ANOTHER TRAILBLAZER As well as Gladys Aylward No Mountain too High, I'd recommend that you look at Amy Carmichael, Rescuer by night. This makes up a nice set of female role models from a variety of different background. Amy was from Ireland and was a bit of a dreamer. Gladys was from London and definitely working class. Isobel Kuhn was from America and well educated. It just goes to show that it doesn't matter where you are from or what your background is - God has a job for you to do.Catherine MacKenzie ~ Author and CF4K Editor

Polycarp anxiously waited until the sound of marching footsteps faded away. The Praetorian guard were on the move - ready to pounce on Christians or any other ‘revolutionaries' that they might find. Papias is ready with his sword but Polycarp has another course in mind.These are the days when the catacombs are the dark shadowy refuges of the Christians and the amphitheatre is the sound of death to the believer. Polycarp though is one of the church leaders called on to give his life for Christ and his Kingdom... and this is something he counts as an honour.To gain the Crown of Fire he must be willing to suffer for Christ. But will his courage hold? Will he give in to the struggle?Accompany Polycarp and his companions as they face up to the Roman enemy and yet still pass on the legacy of truth. The golden chain around Polycarp's neck is a link to the past in more ways than one ... the truth with it will be passed on to future generations. To people like you.Included in the book are a time line and further facts about the early church.William Chad Newsom lives in North Carolina with his wife, Angela, their three children, Grace, William, and Nathanael, and their dog, Nicholas the Great (Nick). Chad is the author of two books, both published by Christian Focus. He has written more than thirty articles, appearing in such publications as Children’s Ministry Magazine, Agape Press, Evangelical Press, and The Charlotte World.

Isobel Kuhn questioned whether God even existed. Mary Slessor grew up in a slum with an alcoholic father. Joni Eareckson broke her neck during a diving accident and Corrie Ten Boom just lived with her family in a little watch shop in Harlaam, Holland.What is so special about these girls and how did they change their world?Isobel Kuhn believed in God and then obeyed his call to travel to Asia to tell the Lisu people about God. Mary Slessor, put herself through evening classes and eventually became one of the first white women to venture into the interior of Africa. Joni Eareckson struggled through her treatment and endless hospital visits to become the inspiration to many Christians. Corrie Ten Boom spent most of her life just living in Holland until the Nazis started killing the Jews. Corrie Ten Boom put her life on the line to save the lives of many Jews in the hiding place, a hidden room behind her wardrobe in a little watch shop in Haarlem, Holland. Mary Slessor (Missionary in Africa), Corrie Ten Boom (hid Jews in Nazi Germany), Granny Brand (Missionary in India), Joni Eareckson , Gladys Aylward (Missionary in China), Jackie Pullinger (Missionary in Hong Kong), Amy Carmichael (Missionary in India), Elisabeth Fry (Worked among the sick, prisoners and homeless), Catherine Booth (Co-Founder of The Salvation Army) and Isobel Kuhn (Missionary in Asia)This is a wonderful book - in fact it's a wonderful series. Irene Howat writes with a real warmth and insight. People that you have never met come alive on the page. Christian legends and unsung heroes all become friends you can understand and look up to. In a world where role models of real integrity are few and far between the Lightkeeper's series fills the gap!Catherine MacKenzie ~ Author and CF4K Editor

If you were a princess you'd have the best wardrobe in the world with new dresses in it every day - and a tiara to match. But is that all there is to being a princess? And what does it mean to be a real Bible princess? Abigail, Jehosheba, Esther and The Queen of the South were women and royalty who honoured God. Pharaoh's daughter and Michal were princesses who showed bravery but were they true followers of the Lord? Jezebel and Herodias' daughter are two royal women who did not love God. All their stories are in the Bible and all can teach us in their own way how to be a Bible princess, daughters of the King, women and girls of righteousness.

John Knox spent his life with a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other and he wasn't afraid to use either.He began his theological life as a body guard to George Wishart - and it was when that young man was put to death by the religious authorities that John Knox was finally persuaded of the need to awaken his country from the death of injustice and spiritual poverty that afflicted it.He was never built for a quiet life and when he ran from one danger, he often found himself headed straight for another. Escaping from the authorities brought him straight into a castle siege and from there he ended up as a galley slave on a French frigate.No wonder he appreciated liberty when he had felt the grasp of slavery's chains and the cut of the enemy's whip.But his thirst for true freedom came from his longing for God's Word to be preached. John knew that true liberty only came from being in service to God and his Kingdom.Many stood against him and they still do today... but he gave much to his country and to his God and the church and Scotland owe John Knox - they owe him thanks as they owe the God he served thanks for calling such men to be his preachers.

Why would a crippled old man wait by the side of the road every day for twenty years? Why would a slave and a witch doctor walk for three days to find a man called Jesus? Why would a lame man purposely walk to a tribe where he knew he could be killed? Sixteen captivating episodes from one Christian mission in Ethiopia show the power of God in the midst of darkness. Find out about the invisible evangelist, the two girls who prayed and other astonishing stories. This is a book that will make you gasp at God's goodness!The evangelists in this book include one man named Dick McLellan. Born in Australia Dick had the privilege of working with SIM during the 1950s. This book contains some of his experiences as well as the stories of Africans who eagerly took hold of God's message with two hands. With joy in their souls they declared, "With this hand I renounce the devil and all his works! With this hand I surrender to Jesus Christ! All I am and all I have!" For more background information, as well as links for magazine articles, blogs, photos, and videos, see the Educator Resources Page at Rebecca Davis's website. Additionally, colouring pages are available to download further down this page in associated Media section.

'You could become the greatest living painter. Your paintings would be treasured for ever.'Those were the words Lilias Trotter heard from John Ruskin, one of the world's most established art critics. She had to make a choice between her talent and her calling. Both were gifts from God. In May 1879 Lilias knew what she should do. God's work for Lilias was in the desert land of Algeria. Palm trees and camels replaced lampposts and horse drawn carriages. The desert was her home, its people her friends and its Creator her reason for life.

Share this small but powerful booklet with your friends, share it with your family, share it with everyone who needs to know Christ. This is Douglas MacMillan's personal account of his conversion. As an atheist, he couldn't accept the simplicity of either Christianity or the Big Bang theory. When a friend held out two hands and said, "In this hand, I'll give you everything you are afraid of losing; and in this hand I'll give you Christ," Douglas realised that it was a simple choice after all.