How one book impacted the nations
For over fifty years, Operation World--the first survey of the spiritual needs of every nation--has inspired Christians worldwide to pray for countries and peoples. But how did this expansive prayer resource come to be? In God's World to Win, Patrick Johnstone shares his personal story--from bullied schoolboy with an undiagnosed learning disorder to global missions strategist. While some friends encouraged him to write his personal biography and others urged him to record the story of Operation World, Patrick chose to do both. Discover the story of how one of the world's most transformative prayer tools was born.
Motivated by a passion for the nations and their evangelization, Patrick spent countless hours gathering hard-to-find statistics, mapping hidden people groups, and crafting prayer points that would equip millions to intercede with insight and purpose. His journey reveals how God worked through divine appointments and unexpected challenges.
God's World to Win will encourage you to dream boldly and persevere in obedience as you consider how God might use your own gifts to bless the nations.
About the Author :
Patrick Johnstone is British and served God with the Dorothea Mission in Southern Africa for sixteen years as a missionary evangelist, discipler, and Bible translator. In Africa, he began compiling information to help people in Africa pray for the world. He then compiled six editions of Operation World between 1965 and 2001, with millions of copies distributed worldwide in nineteen languages. He and his first wife, Jill, were invited to serve for one year on the OM ship MV Logos and thereafter with WEC International as part of the leadership team in the UK, developing strategies to plant churches among the least reached peoples. Just before Jill's death in 1992, she completed a children's version of Operation World, titled You Can Change the World (now Window on the World), which was published in over twenty languages. Patrick has also served part-time leadership roles in the Lausanne and the AD2000 and Beyond Movements. He retired from active leadership roles in WEC in 2015 and lives with his US wife, Robyn, in Derby, England, while retaining his great passion for world evangelization and continuing to encourage and mentor mission leaders. He can be contacted by email at patrick@operationworld.org.
Review :
What a captivating read! Under God, Patrick Johnstone, through his tireless traveling, speaking, and creation of Operation World, has stimulated tens of thousands (that's no exaggeration) of believers around the world to pray more intelligently for the advance of the gospel in every country and every corner of the globe. We are deeply indebted to him. It is wonderful to read his life story and to feel something of the infectious spirit with which God has endowed this man. His material continues to be the surest means of informing the global church and any individual believer of how to pray for God's work in every nation under the sun. I couldn't put the book down. Read and be captivated yourself!
-Dr. Lindsay Brown, General Secretary, IFES (1991-2007), International Director, Lausanne Movement (2008-2017)
Operation World has been a force in God's hands for over six decades, stimulating passionate prayer and disciple-making among least-reached peoples. God's World to Win now gives us the back story. Patrick Johnstone shares his journey with compelling authenticity and demonstrates how a humble vision born in Africa has been used by God to mobilize millions across continents. His story has left me awed at what Jesus can do through a surrendered life. May his legacy inspire curious minds, informed intercession, and global teamwork for God's glory among the nations!
-Dean Carlson, DMin, President, One Challenge, International Liaison, Movement for African National Initiatives
Operation World was like a spark that stirred up the hearts of believers towards believing that the Great Commission was doable. It opened their eyes to the various dimensions of the Great Commission task and lit their paths to follow the multiple directions required to accomplish such an excellent task. God's World to Win helps us to recognize the "hands" behind the scenes orchestrating the impact of Operation World right from that "spark," the fanning into the flame, the fueling and the controlling of the spread. Starting from the "finger of the Lord of the Harvest," the heart of the obedient servant of the Lord, the encouragement and involvement of several other servants of the Lord, and the hearts that caught the fire and started engaging in focused prayer and strategic engagement among the neediest sections of the Great Commission.
-Reuben Ezemadu, International Director, Christian Missionary Foundation (CMF), Continental Coordinator, Movement for African National Initiatives (MANI)
This fascinating story behind the book that has helped millions of Christians to pray meaningfully for the world also doubles as an inspiring autobiography of Patrick Johnstone. Reading this, we can glean many instructive principles on the Christian life, such as facing challenges and disagreements, involvement in mission, community living, and team dynamics. Along the way, we are introduced to some of the great people and movements that served to speed the work of reaching a lost world for Christ during a crucial period in the history of the church.
-Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka, Author, Discipling in a Multicultural World
