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When Premier Christianity (with some Eden contribution!) compiled their list of 100 Books That Changed the Church — voted for by Premier listeners and curated with care — something striking emerged.
Alongside the theological classics, the timeless discipleship books, and the works of fiction, a thread of extraordinary human testimony ran through the list. Sixteen biographies and memoirs made the cut, and every single one of them tells a story of life-changing faith, many in extreme circumstances.
You can explore the full list on Eden's Premier 100 Books That Changed the Church department. But here, we want to highlight the true stories that made it in — because if you've never read any of these, you're missing some of the most gripping, faith-building books ever written.
#1 — The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom
The top spot on the entire list. Corrie Ten Boom's account of hiding Jewish families from the Nazis in wartime Holland — and what happened when her family was betrayed and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp — has been changing lives since 1971. It is a book about the limits of human endurance and the limitlessness of God's love, and it earns every word of its legendary status.
“This riveting and inspiring book has got me reading the Bible far more regularly. I was already used to miracles in my own life, but reading about the vast number of really spectacular ones experienced by Corrie ten Boom is a life-transforming event. Her ability to tap into God's forgiveness for even the worst criminals and persecutors is mind-blowing.” Robin, Eden Customer Review
Get The Hiding Place at Eden →
#2 — The Cross and the Switchblade, David Wilkerson
A rural Pennsylvania pastor feels an inexplicable pull towards the gang-controlled streets of New York City — and goes. David Wilkerson's account of his first encounters with teenagers facing murder charges, and his ministry among street gangs, is one of the most electric testimonies in Christian literature. It later inspired the founding of Teen Challenge, now active in over 100 countries.
Get The Cross and the Switchblade at Eden →
#3 — God's Smuggler, Brother Andrew
A young Dutchman with a car full of Bibles, a prayer asking God to make seeing eyes blind, and a series of border crossings that became legendary. Brother Andrew's story of delivering Scriptures to Christians behind the Iron Curtain is one of the great adventure stories of the faith — and the ministry it inspired, Open Doors, continues to serve persecuted Christians in over 70 countries to this day.
#10 — Run Baby Run, Nicky Cruz
You may know part of Nicky Cruz's story from The Cross and the Switchblade — but Run Baby Run tells it from the other side, and that shift of perspective makes it something altogether different. Cruz grew up in poverty and rejection, became the war lord of one of New York's most feared street gangs, and encountered the gospel in a way that left him with nowhere to hide. One of the most honest accounts of conversion in Christian writing.
“I purchased this book around mid-day. I'd finished it by midnight on the same day. I couldn't put it down. This man has an amazing story to tell of what God has done in his life. He is so open and honest and you can't help but want to know what happens next. It causes you to think about where you are going in God and to stand in awe at how great a God He is. After reading this book i went straight out to buy 2 more of his books.” Eden Customer Review
#17 — The Heavenly Man, Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway
The book on this list most likely to leave you sitting in silence when you finish it. Brother Yun's account of his life as a Chinese house church leader — including repeated imprisonment, torture, a 74-day hunger strike, and what he describes as a miraculous escape from a maximum-security prison — is one of the most challenging testimonies of the modern era. It holds up a mirror to comfortable Western Christianity and asks quietly devastating questions.
Get The Heavenly Man at Eden →
#18 — Chasing the Dragon, Jackie Pullinger
At twenty years old, Jackie Pullinger boarded a cargo ship heading East with no mission organisation behind her and no clear plan — just a conviction that God had called her to go. She ended up in Hong Kong's Kowloon Walled City, working among heroin addicts and Triad gang members, and watching them find freedom in ways she attributes entirely to the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the most electric Christian books of the twentieth century.
“This is the story of how Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit have changed lives in a place of utter degradation; where drug smuggling, heroin addiction, prostitution and pornography, are run by extortion and fear. Jackie Pullinger has written an introduction and two further chapters to this edition, published to mark the 21st anniversary of this phenomenal bestseller. The original book covered about ten years of her work in the ‘walled city’ of Hong Kong. The new material overviews the next twenty or so years in just two chapters, but gives us some idea of the ongoing work in Jesus’ name, now the ‘walled city’ is no more. Some of those helped are helping others, and the work goes quietly on. I was so glad to read the original book again, now with its extra material. This is a shocking but amazing story of what can be done by trusting in God. Now in Manga edition also. A contemporary classic.”
A Good Bookstall Review.
Get Chasing the Dragon at Eden →
#21: I Dared to Call Him Father: The remarkable true story of Bilquis Sheikh, a high-ranking Pakistani woman whose life changed forever after a series of dreams about Jesus. Buy Now at Eden→
#36: Joni: Joni Eareckson Tada’s classic memoir of finding hope, faith, and a global ministry following a diving accident that left her quadriplegic. Buy Now at Eden→
#38: The Grace Outpouring: Roy Godwin tells the inspiring story of the miraculous transformation and spiritual revival occurring at the Ffald-y-Brenin retreat center.
“Wonderful Read,most inspiring.This records a 'THIN PLACE' indeed where there are encounters with GOD through the Holy Spirit” Eden Customer Review
#49: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: Nabeel Qureshi chronicles his intense journey from a devout Muslim upbringing to finding the truth of the Gospel. Buy Now at Eden→
#54: Through Gates of Splendour: Elisabeth Elliot’s moving account of the five missionaries who gave their lives to reach the Auca people in Ecuador. Buy Now at Eden→
#56: The Vicar of Baghdad: Andrew White shares the extraordinary and dangerous story of his ministry and peace-making efforts in war-torn Iraq. Buy Now at Eden→
#60: The Life of Saint Teresa of Ávila by Herself: A profound and intimate autobiography of the 16th-century mystic detailing her spiritual struggles and divine encounters. Buy Now at Eden→
#62: The Biography of Hudson Taylor: A classic account of the man who pioneered the China Inland Mission through unwavering faith and cultural immersion.
“James Hudson Taylor was a man of serious faith. His life story has been an inspiration to me for many years. He believed that, if God called you to a task, He would provide the strength, support and resources. With that faith, he made a Christian impact in China that remains to this day. Well worth a read!” David, Eden Customer Review
#72: Paul: A Biography: N.T. Wright provides a sweeping, scholarly, and human look at the life, journeys, and theological impact of the Apostle Paul. Buy Now at Eden →
“If you want to know more about the character of Paul, then look no further than this book. Tom Wright’s knowledge of Paul is second to none. At more than 400 pages, this is not a short read but it’s packed full of information, historical context and really fascinating insights into Paul’s personal life, ministry and his influence over the Church as we know it. There are also helpful maps to help you visualise Paul’s journeys. Over the years, many books have been written about Paul but, with Tom Wright, you really feel as if you’re in the safe hands of an expert guide. It’s not just a great read, but a helpful Bible study tool that really does bring Paul to life in a new way.”
Anna Hockley, category and campaign manager, Eden.co.uk
#90 : Gay Girl, Good God: Jackie Hill Perry shares her powerful journey of how God’s grace transformed her identity and heart. Buy Now at Eden→
What These Books Have in Common
None of these authors set out to write a bestseller. Most of them set out simply to obey — and found themselves in situations so extraordinary that the only honest response was to write them down.
If you've read all sixteen, you'll know why they made the list. If you haven't, there's no better place to start than No. 1.
Explore the full Premier Christianity 100 Books collection at Eden →
