April 21, 2005

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – National Ministries' Judson Press has announced the April release of Bless God and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy by Rosalie Hall Hunt.

Since the publication of the Judson biography To the Golden Shore in the 1950s much has been learned about the life and legacy of America's pioneering overseas missionaries. Hunt relates never-before-published discoveries about Adoniram, Ann, Sarah and Emily Judson and the lasting legacy of these four extraordinary people who made Burma their home as they ministered on behalf of the Gospel.

Hunt recounts events from the childhoods and courtship of Ann and Adoniram and their eventual calling, to the first trip to Burma and the formation of a Baptist denomination. She examines the production of the first Christian resources in Burmese and Adoniram's imprisonment at Let Ma Yoon. Ultimately Hunt goes beyond the lives of the Judsons to explore topics such as the investigation of the Let Ma Yoon death prisons, the lives of the Judson children and grandchildren, and the continuing impact of the Judsons' ministry among modern-day Burmese Christians.

The book has been praised by Dr. Denton Lotz, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, who strongly recommends it to "Christians with a sense of call to missions." Dr. Jerry Cain, National Ministries' board president and president of Judson College, commends Hunt for "a masterful job in reviving the Judson legacy."

Rosalie Hall Hunt, well-known speaker and teacher, conducted research in the U.S. and Burma/Myanmar, where she walked in the footsteps of the Judsons and met with descendants of the first Burmese believers. The daughter of missionaries in China and a retired Baptist missionary herself, Hunt has taught in South Asia, Australia, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Founded in 1824, Judson Press is a publishing ministry of National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA. To order Bless God and Take Courage call 800-458-3766 or visit http://www.judsonpress.com/.

American Baptist News Service