Brother Andrew

Brother Andrew (1928-2022) was a Dutch Christian missionary and author best known for smuggling Bibles into communist countries during the Cold War, earning him the nickname "God's Smuggler" after his bestselling autobiography of the same name. His work began in 1955 with missions to Poland, and he subsequently established the organization Open Doors to support persecuted Christians worldwide. His signature method involved driving a bright blue Volkswagen Beetle packed with illegal Bibles across borders, often passing through high-security checkpoints in Eastern European countries. The success of his autobiography "God's Smuggler" (1967) brought international attention to his work and sold over 10 million copies. His other written works include "Light Force" and "Secret Believers," which chronicle his later missions to the Middle East and Muslim nations. Brother Andrew's ministry expanded beyond Bible distribution to include support networks for underground churches and training for Christian leaders in restricted nations. His organization Open Doors continues to operate in over 60 countries, providing resources and advocacy for religious freedom.

Readers consistently praise Brother Andrew's autobiography "God's Smuggler" for its vivid firsthand accounts of dangerous missions and straightforward writing style. Many reviews highlight the book's ability to maintain suspense despite readers knowing the outcome. What readers liked: - Personal stories of border crossings - Simple, honest narrative voice - Balance of faith elements with action - Historical insights into Cold War era - Practical examples of faith in action What readers disliked: - Some found later chapters less engaging - A few readers questioned accuracy of memory for detailed conversations - Occasional criticism of denominational biases Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: 4.34/5 from 33,000+ ratings - Amazon: 4.8/5 from 2,800+ reviews One reader noted: "Unlike many Christian biographies that feel preachy, this reads like a spy thriller." Another wrote: "The matter-of-fact way he describes incredible events makes them more believable." His other books receive positive but fewer reviews, typically 4+ stars but with significantly smaller sample sizes.

God's Smuggler (1967) Autobiography detailing Brother Andrew's missions smuggling Bibles into Communist countries during the Cold War.

And God Changed His Mind (1990) Exploration of the power of prayer through Brother Andrew's ministry experiences.

The Narrow Road (2001) Collection of stories about persecuted Christians Brother Andrew encountered in restricted nations.

The Ethics of Smuggling (1974) Analysis of moral questions surrounding Bible smuggling and ministry in closed countries.

The Calling (2002) Personal account of Brother Andrew's work with Christians in Islamic nations.

Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Believe in Christ (2007) Documentation of Muslim converts to Christianity and their challenges in Islamic societies.

Light Force (2004) Chronicles of Brother Andrew's ministry experiences in the Middle East.

The Practice of the Presence of God (1999) Reflections on maintaining spiritual focus while conducting dangerous mission work.

Richard Wurmbrand wrote about persecution of Christians under Communist regimes and his experiences in Romanian prisons. Like Brother Andrew, he focused on the underground church and smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain.

Corrie ten Boom documented hiding Jews during WWII and later imprisonment in Nazi concentration camps. Her work parallels Brother Andrew's themes of faith under persecution and crossing dangerous borders to help others.

David Wilkerson ministered in challenging urban environments and wrote about taking Christianity to places others avoided. His accounts of reaching gang members in New York City mirror Brother Andrew's willingness to enter hostile territory for ministry.

George Müller recorded his experiences establishing orphanages in England through faith-based support. His detailed journals of relying on prayer and providence align with Brother Andrew's accounts of mission work without institutional backing.

Jackie Pullinger chronicled her work with drug addicts and gang members in Hong Kong's Kowloon Walled City. Her first-hand accounts of entering closed societies to help others reflect Brother Andrew's approach to restricted mission fields.