December 8, 2024, marks the ninetieth anniversary of John and Betty Stam’s martyrdom at the hands of Communist rebels in China. The Stams were a beautiful young American missionary couple who wholeheartedly and courageously served Christ Jesus in both life and death.
Their shocking deaths stirred up countless Christians of their generation to serve the Lord with greater consecration and to actively, sacrificially play a part in advancing Christ’s kingdom at home and abroad. The Stams’ commendable example has continued to inspire and encourage believers down to the present time in their relationship with and service of Jesus.
To follow are links to four earlier blog features I’ve written on the Stams. Three of these blogs explore some of the key lessons to be gained through John and Betty’s example. A fourth blog suggests a pair of highly recommended books to read on the Stams. Hopefully one or more of these blogs will catch your attention and whet your appetite to read and benefit from a particular aspect or a full account of John and Betty’s lives.
“Carefully Fulfilling Our Calling—John & Betty Stam” (10-31-14 blog): Their examples remind us of the importance and appropriateness of prayerfully seeking God’s guidance as to how He desires us to serve Him with our lives, then to carefully fulfill the ministries the Lord directs us to carry out.
“Having Water from God for Others—John Stam” (11-12-14 blog): John learned and modeled a vital lesson about the importance of cultivating a devotional relationship with God through His Word, the Bible, in order to strengthen one’s service of Him and others.
“Triumph through Tragedy—The Martyrdom of John & Betty Stam” (12-3-14 blog): Some ways God brought glory to Himself and advanced His kingdom through John and Betty’s seemingly tragic deaths.
“An Excellent New John & Betty Stam Biography” (11-22-24 blog): A commendation of a new biography on the Stams and (more briefly) of my own earlier biography on their lives: Andrew Montonera, By Life or by Death: The Life and Legacy of John and Betty Stam (Moody Publishers, 2024); Vance Christie, John and Betty Stam, Missionary Martyrs (Christian Focus Publications, 2008).
Copyright 2024 by Vance E. Christie
