When Augustine handed over the leadership of his church in AD 426, his successor was so overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy that he declared, “The swan is silent,” fearing the spiritual giant’s voice would be lost in time. But for 1,600 years, Augustine has not been silent—and neither have the men who faithfully trumpeted the cause of Christ after him. Their lives have inspired every generation of believers and should compel us to a greater passion for God.

In his fifth book in The Swans Are Not Silent series, John Piper explores the lives of William Tyndale, John Paton, and Adoniram Judson—a Bible translator, a missions organizer, and a front-line missionary.

 In their lifelong willingness to plant seeds of faith and hope with tears of blood, they not only embraced Christ’s suffering for them but powerfully joined with Christ in his afflictions—all for the sake of the gospel. Understanding that God’s strategy for reaching unreached peoples includes the sufferings of his front line heralds, these faithful servants let nothing deter them from their mission. May their faithfulness and sacrifice intensify your passion to make Christ’s love and value known among the nations.

Part of the The Swans Are Not Silent series.