Apostolic Pioneers in Global Missions tells the story of missionaries who helped pioneer Apostolic works around the world. We recently 
had the opportunity to interview Dorsey Burk, one of our Apostolic authors, about his book.
Apostolic Pioneers in Global Missions is ideal for a young adult looking to understand life in missions and explore involvement in overseas service.
What motivated you to compile this book?
Profiling missionaries serves dual purposes. First, it inspires the next generation to get involved in missions and to serve overseas. Second, it is important to preserve the history of great men and women who made significant contributions to growing the church over the years.
What was the role of missionaries in inspiring you to go into missions?
Growing up I had little desire to be involved in missions. However, the sacrifice, dedication, consecration, obedience, and humility missionaries demonstrated influenced me to go into the ministry and to serve overseas. When a medical circumstance required me to return to the United States, I spent the rest of my career supporting missionaries through fundraising, organization, and administration.
When God calls, He provides and empowers men and women to do His work. Click To TweetMany of the missionaries profiled in this book have gone on to their reward. However, you knew several of them personally. Can you share a story?
One of the profiles in the book is of Edwin Judd who served as an instructor at Conquers Bible College, was a missionary to Jamaica, and then was Secretary of Global Missions for nearly 20 years. Brother Judd and I had a close relationship. When I moved to St. Louis, he became a surrogate father to me. His impact on my life was immeasurable. Brother Judd led by example. For instance, he once bought a Chevy instead of an Oldsmobile because he never wanted any donors to think he was spending money carelessly.
Who would benefit from reading the book?
Apostolic Pioneers in Global Missions is ideal for a young adult looking to understand life in missions and explore involvement in overseas service. I’ve always said that when God calls, He provides and empowers men and women to do His work. The testimonies of the missionaries in Apostolic Pioneers prove this true. Reading missionary stories can be very compelling. I once had a ministry colleague tell me the book ruined his evening because once he started reading, he couldn’t put it down.
Bio: Dorsey Burk grew up in California and attended Conquers Bible College in Oregon. He worked in UPCI Global Missions (formerly known as the Foreign Missions Division) for his entire career, retiring in 2016. Before moving to St. Louis and taking a job in Global Missions administration, Burke and his wife, Beverley, served overseas in Jamaica and in Germany. Burk has edited and compiled several books, including Apostolic Pioneers in Global Missions, which was released in 2012.
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