Brother Andrew Biography | The Adventure of a Lifetime for Your Kids!

I’d like to thank Christian Focus Publications for giving me a copy of Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines by Nancy Drummond in return for my honest review.

Andrew van der Bijl wanted to be a spy as a child. In fact, in his youth he “waged war” against the Nazis troops occupying Holland by lobbing fireworks at them. Eventually, Andrew joined the military and went to Indonesia to fight, and was terribly injured.

Returning home, Andrew answered God’s call on his life and was saved.

Brother Andrew Biography

The beginning chapters of Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines by Nancy Drummond (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2014) are exciting and intensely interesting.

The real excitement, though, mounts as Andrew follows his calling in Christ. The Lord led him into the newly Communist countries of Eastern Europe and later into Communist China. Brother Andrew shared the gospel and encouraged believers behind the Iron Curtain for decades as he smuggled Bibles (which were illegal contraband) to believers.

The book includes a timeline and devotional questions for each chapter. This narrative biography aimed at 8-14 year olds is a must-read for families!

Brother Andrew for Kids

I read this story to my boys (then aged nearly-10 and 11) as a part of our studies on Communist Russia and Communist China. They were fascinated by every aspect of the story.

After all, what isn’t there for a boy to love? There’s war, a miraculous healing, danger and intrigue, smuggling, and the mighty hand of God.

My 10-year-old had this to say:

I liked the part when he (Brother Andrew) put the Bibles right next to him (one the seat at customs) and went through (the border crossing). The guy didn’t give him a hard time. God can do anything. … (Brother Andrew’s) faith was just amazing. He placed Bibles right next to him, just to show it was clearly God. And it worked.”

My 11-year old said:

The border crossings were very intense. It showed how great God is. (Brother Andrew’s) sense of adventure was very interesting.”

Indeed, Brother Andrew’s repeated success would have been impossible if not for God’s sovereign hand on his missions.

Time and again, the Lord made seeing eyes blind as they failed to witness the Bibles Andrew smuggled to his brothers and sisters in Christ. The story of this amazing man is both inspiring and faith-building. Nancy Drummond does a wonderful job telling Brother Andrew’s story.

Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines coordinates with studies involving

• World War II
• Communism in Eastern Europe
• Communism in China
• The 20th Century
• Modern Missions
• Open Doors USA
• Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Purchase Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines 

Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines

OR, at Christian Book:

• Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines
• Trail Blazers

More Christian Focus Trail Blazers Books for Your Kids

Our family loves the Christian Focus Trail Blazers books. They’re perfect for ages 7-14. We read them as we studied history! Check them out.

Eric Liddell: Finish the RaceJohn Chrysostom: The Preacher in the Emperor’s CourtSamuel Rutherford: The Law, the Prince and the ScribeFrancis & Edith Schaeffer: Taking on the WorldTitanic: The Ship of DreamsWilliam Tyndale: The Smuggler’s FlameWilfred Grenfell: Courageous DoctorDietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke in the WheelElisabeth Elliot: Do the Next ThingBetty Greene: Courage Has WingsUlrich Zwingli: Shepherd WarriorLilias Trotter: Daring in the DesertIsobel Kuhn: Lights in LisulandJim Elliot: He Is No FoolGeorge Müller: The Children’s ChampionAdoniram Judson: Danger on the Streets of GoldPatricia St. John: The Story Behind the StoriesHelen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s ServiceJohn Newton: A Slave Set FreeJohn Calvin: After Darkness LightJohn Knox: The Sharpened SwordBilly Graham: Just get up out of your SeatRichard Wurmbrand: A Voice in the DarkMary Slessor: Servant to the SlaveJoni Eareckson Tada: Swimming Against the TideHudson Taylor: An Adventure BeginsAugustine: The Truth SeekerPatrick of Ireland: The Boy Who ForgaveBrother Andrew: Behind Enemy LinesLottie Moon: Changing China for ChristD L Moody: One Devoted ManNate Saint: Operation AucaJohn Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be StoppedMichael Faraday: Spiritual DynamoWilliam Wilberforce: The Freedom FighterC. S. Lewis: The Story Teller: Trailblazers SeriesJonathan Edwards: America’s GeniusCharles Spurgeon: Prince of PreachersGeorge Müller: The Children’s ChampionGeorge Whitefield: Voice That Woke the WorldAmy Carmichael: Rescuer By NightMary of Orange: At the Mercy of KingsMartyn Lloyd-Jones: From Wales to WestminsterHannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop WritingFanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s SongPaul Brand: The Shoes That Love MadeFrances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved MountainsCorrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker’s DaughterGladys Aylward: No Mountain Too HighJohn Bunyan: Journey of a PilgrimDavid Brainerd: A Love for the LostJohn G. Paton: South Sea Island RescueBilly Bray: Saved From the Deepest PitJohn Stott: The Humble LeaderBill Bright: Dare to be DifferentCharles Simeon: For Christ in Cambridge (Trail Blazers)William Carey: Expecting Great Things (Trail Blazers)Jack Turner: Truth in the Arctic (Trail Blazers)Elaine Townsend: At Home Around the World (Trail Blazers)Thomas Clarkson: The Giant With One Idea (Trailblazers)John and Betty Stam: To Die is Gain (Trail Blazers)Maud Kells: Fearless in the Forest (Trail Blazers)Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool (Trail Blazers)Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love (Trailblazers)Polycarp: Faithful unto Death (Trail Blazers)Thomas Cranmer: The King’s Ambassador (Trailblazers)Olaudah Equiano: A Man of Many Names (Trail Blazers)

Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.

Bible Resources for Your Kids

Learn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More HereLearn More Here

Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

• God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings. 
• Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
• Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.   
• Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.    
• Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history. 

More Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love!

Join the newsletter

Get the Family Prayer Box Project FREE!

Teach your children to pray with this fun project that includes 7 printable sets!

Awesome! Go check your email to confirm your subscription. After you confirm, I'll send your Family Prayer Box Project!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

First Name

Email Address

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.

I'd like to receive the free email course. Subscribe We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit