Kids need Christian role models to look up to, and there’s no better place to find them than in the history of the church. This four-book collector's set by Marilyn Boyer brings Christian history to life through forty inspiring biographies—ten (or more) in each beautifully illustrated volume. From the earliest defenders of the faith to missionaries and hymnwriters who carried the gospel across generations, readers will meet men and women whose courage, conviction, and devotion shaped the Church and advanced God's Kingdom.
Each story offers engaging storytelling, historical context, and timeless lessons that strengthen faith and character. Perfect for grades 7 and up—or for anyone who loves stories of faith that still inspire today.
Book 1: Early Church Fathers
- Polycarp – a fearless martyr who refused to deny Christ
- John Calvin – a leading voice of the Reformation
- Irenaeus of Lyon – a defender of biblical truth in the early Church
- John Wycliffe – the Morning Star of the Reformation
- Martin Luther – a reformer who challenged the status quo with Scripture
- John Knox – Scotland’s fiery preacher of truth
- William Tyndale – the translator who gave the Bible to the English-speaking world
- John Owen – a profound Puritan theologian
- Patrick of Ireland – a missionary who brought the gospel to a nation
- John Bunyan – the author of Pilgrim’s Progress and preacher of grace
Book 2: Famous Preachers and Evangelists
- John Wesley – Father of Methodism who traveled over 250,000 miles on horseback, preaching 42,000 sermons and leading a movement that spread the gospel across England and America.
- Jonathan Edwards – America’s most prominent theologian and preacher of the First Great Awakening, known for his deep thinking and his famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.
- George Whitefield – Evangelist with a booming voice who preached over 18,000 times to millions, igniting the Great Awakening in America and Britain.
- Francis Asbury – Circuit-riding Methodist preacher who traveled a quarter of a million miles in America, preaching over 16,000 sermons and establishing Methodism as a major force in the United States.
- Peter Cartwright – Pioneer circuit-riding preacher of the Second Great Awakening, who baptized 12,000 new believers and ministered for nearly 70 years on the American frontier.
- George Müller – Man of prayer and faith who founded orphanages in Bristol, England, caring for over 10,000 orphans and relying solely on prayer for provision.
- Charles Spurgeon – The Prince of Preachers, pastor of London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle, whose sermons reached millions and whose writings continue to inspire Christians worldwide.
- William Booth – Founder and General of The Salvation Army, who ministered to the poor and suffering in London and built a global movement of Christian charity.
- Dwight L. Moody – The greatest evangelist of the 19th century, founder of the Moody Bible Institute, whose preaching led over a million people to Christ in America and abroad.
- John Harper – Scottish Baptist pastor and passionate evangelist, remembered as the Hero of the Titanic for preaching the gospel to others in the water until his last breath.
Book 3: Missionaries for Christ
- Adoniram Judson – one of the first Protestant missionaries from North America, who spent 40 years in Burma
- Robert Moffat – the devoted missionary and Bible translator who ministered in Africa for over 50 years
- John Paton – who brought the gospel to the South Seas, trusting God through every trial
- Hudson Taylor – founder of China Inland Mission, who labored years before seeing his first convert
- Amy Carmichael – missionary to India who rescued children and taught the truth of God’s love
- Gladys Aylward – a courageous woman of faith who defied the odds to serve in China
- Eric Liddell – Olympic gold medalist turned missionary, who gave his life serving others in China
- Betty Greene – the first woman missionary pilot and founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship
- Jim Elliot – missionary martyr whose legacy still calls believers to surrender all for Christ
- Brother Andrew – God’s Smuggler who risked his life to deliver Bibles to persecuted nations
Book 4: Famous Hymnwriters
- Isaac Watts – author of Come We That Love the Lord and the father of English hymnwriting
- Charles Wesley – writer of more than 6,000 hymns including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- John Newton – former slave trader turned pastor who penned Amazing Grace
- William Cowper – writer of There Is a Fountain, whose poetry reflected deep faith through suffering
- Fanny Crosby – blind from infancy, yet wrote over 8,000 hymns praising her Savior
- Horatio Spafford – author of It Is Well with My Soul, written after great personal loss
- Frances Ridley Havergal – writer of Take My Life and Let It Be, a hymn of full surrender
- Philip Bliss and Ira Sankey – gospel songwriters who inspired revival through music
- Shorter Biographies of Ten Famous Hymns and their writers: Williams Pantycelyn, Edward Perronet, Robert Robinson, Augustus Toplady, Reginald Heber, Edward Mote, Robert Lowry, Annie Hawks, Lidie Edmunds, Thomas Obadiah Chisholm
Series Features that Support Meaningful Learning
With engaging biographies, vocabulary helps, background notes, and Scripture connections, each Legends of Faith volume is designed for personal reading, family devotions, or as part of a homeschool Bible, history, or language arts curriculum. Every biography (chapter) stands alone, making it easy to adapt for classroom use, independent study, or a morning basket. In addition to vivid illustrations and historical maps, each book features a detailed timeline of key events, a glossary of important terms, and endnotes for further exploration.
What our customers say:
“Famous Hymnwriters” by Marilyn Boyer is a treasure for those desiring to appreciate the great hymns that have lasted for three hundred years. I enjoyed learning about the people behind the writing and composing of many famous hymns in history. Each chapter gave just enough information to appreciate who each hymnwriter was and also left the reader desiring to want to know more. I particularly found it interesting how many of the hymnwriters of old knew each other and worked together. I also found it interesting how even when they didn’t know each other, they influenced each other. In particular I think about Fanny Crosby. It turns out that on November 20, 1850, Fanny Crosby made Jesus Christ the Lord of her life! She was saved after singing Issac Watt's Hymn, "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed." She realized after singing the words of the last verse, "Here, Lord, I give myself away, His all that I can do", she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other. She leaped to her feet crying, "Hallelujah!". As recorded in the book, Fanny was a deeply religious person, but she realized that her literary and social concerns had taken first place in her life. When she realized that, she repented and surrendered her life to Jesus Christ! With God all things are possible! Overall, this book demonstrates how God can use anyone for His glory!
~ Michael Brown
A Look Inside
Terms and Conditions of Use
