When we look back, we realise how short life is. I met Gail when she was in her early years of missionary work in a North African country. Now, some forty years later, she is able to look back, glean from her own journey of discipleship and encourage others in theirs.

The quality of a missionary classic

In reading her latest book, with some knowledge of her life of service, I can verify the authenticity of what she is passing on. This book has the potential of one of those missionary classics of bygone days that have lasting power to enrich the lives of others who take the ministry of the gospel forward. We all get one opportunity to fulfil whatever calling and potential is ours in the Lord through our own short lives.

‘Hidden Glory’ can stir those at the beginning of the journey and strengthen those who are maturing on the path. We all benefit from the testimony of others and this is the Lord's way. The best testimonies come from lives that have been fully devoted to him, because they are authentic testimonies of the reality of overcomers.

Gail has been on leadership teams for World Horizons and Nations Trust, delighting in the Lord and committed to standing with others in the path of discipleship, especially with those who, like her, took their early steps of commitment when quite young in the faith.

The best testimonies come from lives that have been fully devoted to him, because they are authentic testimonies of the reality of overcomers.

Bearing his likeness

Her first book, Beloved Warrior, brought testimony of the ministry of Jesus, touching on principles linked to her own experience as reflected in Bible truth. Hidden Glory focusses more on the potential that has been given to Jesus' disciples, with a blend of Bible teaching, including examples drawn from the lives of biblical characters, and personal testimony.

The back-cover blurb tells us: “We are made in the image of the One who is all glorious. Our true success in life is not to do with how powerful we become, or how much money we can make, but how much of that glory we uncover. When that glory is seen in anyone, they change the environment around them because a little bit of heaven comes to earth”.

Avoiding possible dangers

I confess that in reading the book, I had my antenna up for the sort of bias that has concerned me among many Christians where an I-centredness has replaced a God-centredness. There are some books in circulation that over-emphasise what “I can do” but miss out the emphasis on the needed close walk with the Lord. Because this book comes from Gail's own walk, this bias is not present. The balance between exploring the potential of a disciple of the Lord within the walk and dependency on him is wonderfully blended together.

The balance between exploring the potential of a disciple of the Lord within the walk and dependency on him is wonderfully blended together.

The second danger in exploring the glory that God desires to display through his people is that, even with good intent, there could be a bias towards expressing this in a way that compromises with New Age spirituality. “The God within us” is a major platform of the New Age but deceptively so, in that there is no surrender to the Lord Jesus; just a quest to express power within.

Deep and valid

We find this even in some contemporary Christian literature. The title of Gail's book is capable of this interpretation, but no such bias exists in her exploring the theme for her intended readers – those who are on the road of true discipleship. Again, the personal walk with the Lord ensures that her teaching is deep and valid.

... the personal walk with the Lord ensures that her teaching is deep and valid.

The reader will enjoy exploring the lives of biblical characters, which God can use to parallel our own walk, along with real life testimony in today’s call to mission and prayer. There are also some of Gail's own poems, psalms if you like.

‘Hidden Glory’ is a handbook that is useful in ministry training given in missions such as World Horizons. While touching great depth, the book has a very readable style. It has the potential of being a lasting treasure on the shelves of many Christians of all ages.

‘Hidden Glory’ (199pp) is self-published and is available from Amazon for £7.99 (inc p&p)