--- description: The books to read before going on the mission field, from the biblical basis for missions to cross-cultural living, plus free courses to go deeper. title: What Books Should I Read Before Going on the Mission Field? image: https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Cozy%20Reading%20Nook%20With%20Garden%20View%20And%20Books.png --- [Skip to content](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/what-books-should-i-read-before-going-on-the-mission-field#main-content) [![WRG-Logo-white](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/WRG-Logo-white.png) ![WRG-Logo-black](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/WRG-Logo-black.png)](https://withinreachglobal.org/) - [Why the unreached](https://withinreachglobal.org/why-the-unreached) - Get involved ##### [Mission trips Come as an individual or bring your team to Thailand for 7-14 days on the front lines.](https://withinreachglobal.org/trips) ##### [Apprenticeship 3, 6, or 12 months of discipleship and hands-on ministry in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 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Here's a short list, chosen by missionaries who have served on the field for decades. ## Why we go: the biblical basis for missions - ***Let the Nations Be Glad!* by John Piper.** A foundational book on why missions exists: so that every people group will worship God. - ***Perspectives on the World Christian Movement*, edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne.** A wide-ranging reader covering the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic sides of missions. - ***Operation World* by Jason Mandryk.** A country-by-country guide to praying for the nations. ## How to serve across cultures - ***Foreign to Familiar* by Sarah A. Lanier.** A short, practical guide to understanding cultures very different from your own. - ***Cross-Cultural Servanthood* by Duane Elmer.** How to serve with humility in another culture. - ***When Helping Hurts* by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.** Essential reading for anyone involved in compassion ministry or short-term trips. ## Stories that will stretch your faith - ***Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret* by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor.** The life of pioneer missionary Hudson Taylor and the secret of his deep dependence on Christ. - ***Through Gates of Splendor* by Elisabeth Elliot.** The story of five missionaries who gave their lives in Ecuador in 1956. - ***The Insanity of God* by Nik Ripken.** Lessons on faith from believers living under persecution. ## Books by missionary David Joannes David Joannes is the founder of [Within Reach Global](https://withinreachglobal.org/) and has served as a cross-cultural missionary for about 30 years. His books are written for anyone preparing for, or already on, the mission field. - ***The Mind of a Missionary*.** On developing a missionary mindset. Read a free chapter at [themindofamissionary.com](https://themindofamissionary.com), or take the free [online course](https://withinreachglobal.org/the-mind-of-a-missionary-course). - ***Gospel Privilege*.** Also available as a free [online course](https://withinreachglobal.org/gospel-privilege-course). - ***See the City*.** Also available as a free [online course](https://withinreachglobal.org/see-the-city-course). - ***The Space Between Memories*** and ***Glorious Hope*.** [See all of David's books](https://withinreachglobal.org/books). ## Reading is the start, not the finish Books prepare your mind, but the field shapes your heart. If you're ready to take the next step, explore a [short-term mission trip](https://withinreachglobal.org/trips), the [internship](https://withinreachglobal.org/internship), or the [apprenticeship](https://withinreachglobal.org/apprenticeship) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Share this story [mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EWhat+Books+Should+I+Read+Before+Going+on+the+Mission+Field%3F%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwithinreachglobal.org%2Ffield-stories%2Fwhat-books-should-i-read-before-going-on-the-mission-field](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EWhat+Books+Should+I+Read+Before+Going+on+the+Mission+Field%3F%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwithinreachglobal.org%2Ffield-stories%2Fwhat-books-should-i-read-before-going-on-the-mission-field) ![Within Reach Global](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/WRG-Logo-favicon-black.png) #### Within Reach Global Within Reach Global, reaching unreached people groups in the 10/40 Window since 1997. ## Be part of the next story Your giving sends the gospel to communities that have never heard it. 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[Donate](https://withinreachglobal.org/donate) [More field stories](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories) Keep reading ## More from the field [![](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Cozy%20Reading%20Nook%20With%20Garden%20View%20And%20Books.png)](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/what-books-should-i-read-before-going-on-the-mission-field) From the Frontlines ### [What Books Should I Read Before Going on the Mission Field?](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/what-books-should-i-read-before-going-on-the-mission-field) Nov 12, 2026, 9:55:12 AM [![An ancestral altar with incense and offerings](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/Blog%20Images/AI/wrg-ancestral-altar.jpg)](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/the-ancestors) Beyond Reach ### [Would the Ancestors Join Our Mission Team?](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/the-ancestors) Nov 4, 2026, 8:11:25 AM [![Postcard illustration of Thailand: Bangkok high-rises on the river, Chiang Mai temples, and tuk-tuks](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/pray-for-thailand/hero2.jpg)](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/pray-for-thailand-prayer-map) Beyond Reach ### [Pray for Thailand: A Prayer Map for All 77 Provinces](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/pray-for-thailand-prayer-map) Nov 2, 2026, 5:14:14 AM [![](https://withinreachglobal.org/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/TopDown%20View%20Of%20People%20And%20Hands.png)](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/10-ways-to-support-missionaries) Kingdom Partnerships ### [10 Practical and Powerful Ways to Support Missionaries](https://withinreachglobal.org/field-stories/10-ways-to-support-missionaries) Oct 28, 2026, 8:02:53 AM ## Reach the unreached with us. 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