The Resilient Missionary: The Life Story of Yohannes Mengsteab, a Missionary to America

For many people, the word "missionary" conjures images of kind-hearted Americans who leave comfortable homes to find lost souls deep in the heart of Africa or Asia.

The Resilient Missionary challenges this stereotype by tracing the life of the Rev. Dr. Yohannes Mengsteab-a man born in Eritrea and led by God to the United States-as he becomes a powerful evangelistic force, demonstrating just how much God can do with an obedient heart and a willing spirit.

Born into a country torn apart by civil war, Mengsteab is raised in a Christian household but nearly loses his faith when he joins the Eritrean People's Liberation Army, a group of communist insurgents, as a young man.

God has different plans for Mengsteab, though, and uses a battle wound to put him in the path of Swedish Lutheran missionaries who not only help revive his flagging faith, but also facilitate his immigration to New York City.

As he pursues the calling to preach the gospel in America, Mengsteab faces racism and anti-immigration sentiments both inside and outside of the church.

But with God's help, he perseveres and leads countless others to love and serve Jesus-no matter the circumstances or cost.