Gordon Hickson certainly has a remarkable story to tell – or rather, a whole bundle of stories. This has got to be one of the most fast-paced true life testimony books of recent decades. From start to finish, it’s jam-packed with faith adventures (hence the title) – making it one of the most exciting and faith-building biographies I think I’ve ever come across.

Embarking on a faith-filled life

Born in Carlisle, Gordon grew up as a self-proclaimed ‘super-fit, arrogant and independent’ teenager, who, searching for meaning to life, managed to get involved with a dangerous cult, the Worldwide Church of God. While breaking free from that, his spiritual search continued, and it was while studying at Cambridge University in the 1970s – where something of a spiritual revival was in progress – that Gordon had a dramatic conversion experience.

Having joined the military in his late teens, Gordon got posted to countries such as Italy, Germany, N. Ireland and North Korea. The latter country had also been experiencing revival, and, amidst thousands of other impassioned intercessors, Gordon spent some time in solitary prayer on the well-known ‘Prayer Mountain’.

Through communication with Alan Vincent, whose preaching had inspired him, Gordon was introduced to Alan’s daughter, Rachel, whom he fell in love with and went on to marry. Gordon was greatly influenced by the lives of deep faith and radical obedience of both Alan and his author-wife Eileen, and such journey of pure faith-adventure soon became the norm in their own lives.

The Hicksons embarked on lives of full abandonment to Christ, seeking to obey His voice and believing Him for breakthrough in every circumstance.

Indeed, from that time, the Hicksons embarked on lives of full abandonment to Christ, seeking to obey His voice and believing Him for breakthrough in every circumstance, even when the odds were highly stacked against them, as they often were.

Projects abundant

Gordon and Rachel sensed the call to Africa, where they worked for a number of years as Crusade Directors for Reinhard Bonnke Ministries. Further influenced by this evangelist’s giant-faith, this stirring adventure took the couple to numerous nations across Africa and Asia.

Eventually returning to the UK in 1990, Gordon became involved in a series of exciting initiatives as the Spirit directed him. Among these was the urban gospel movement, Cities for Christ, and engagement in a wonderful move of God among the youth in Chorleywood / Watford, from which Soul Survivor emerged.

Gordon’s life seemed ever focused on prayer and missions, also two of the main distinctives of the Heartcry movement founded by Rachel. A mission trip to the Canadian Arctic saw revival fall on Pond Inlet – this was later documented by George Otis’s Transformations video series.

The missionary pioneer drew alongside Brother Yun of ‘The Heavenly Man’ fame, and worked for some time with him in the Back to Jerusalem project.

Soon after, the missionary pioneer drew alongside Brother Yun of ‘The Heavenly Man’ fame, and worked for some time with him in the Back to Jerusalem project. He also developed a ministry to Muslims, called Mahabba, and became involved with the M25 Prayernet in London, the England Reconciliation Coalition, as well as the global prayer and prophetic movement.

More recently, Gordon became pastor of an Anglican Church in Oxford, where he served for several years before moving further down the street, to work with the local Hillsong church in which his daughter already served!

Sharing the love of Jesus

You name it, Gordon and Rachel have been there! But their involvement in these – and numerous other – initiatives was by no means cursory; rather it was a deep, heartfelt, and sincere commitment, which often cost them dearly in terms of workload, popularity and finance.

Miracles and striking answers to prayer seemed to be an integral part of the Hicksons’ lives, as they fearlessly moved with God in faith. At one point, the couple were nearly killed in a terrible road accident, when a 7-ton truck drove right into them. Gordon received a miraculous healing; Rachel, with broken bones, was confined to a wheelchair for some months, but made a full recovery.

Wonderfully, the couple retain a sense of humility, and their faith-filled stories are devoid of either sensationalism or triumphalism. Their single aim seems to be to share the love of Jesus throughout the world, and to bring glory to God.

Miracles and striking answers to prayer seemed to be an integral part of the Hicksons’ lives, as they fearlessly moved with God in faith.

Harnessed for Adventure truly is a modern-day Acts of the Apostles. The Hicksons’ legacy of faith, perseverance, tenacity and passion is so refreshing, and has been a wonderful inspiration to this reader.

I love this book and heartily commend it to anyone who longs to see the love and power of God flowing through their life in all its fullness.

‘Harnessed for Adventure’ is not currently available from Amazon or other popular outlets; but can be purchased from Heartcry For Change for £8.99 (plus p&p).