My March biography for my Missionary Biography Challenge was St. Patrick of Ireland by Philip Freeman. I wasn’t particularly impressed with this particular book, but the story of St. Patrick is still worthwhile.

Born into a well-off British family, Patrick was captured and became an Irish slave. Like Joseph’s slavery though, God meant it for good. This slavery seems to be when Patrick’s learning of Christianity became faith. It also had practical implications; he learned the language and culture of the Irish people to whom he was enslaved.

Patrick’s slavery wasn’t lifelong. After a miraculous escape, he returned to his family. However, he had a dream which compelled him to return to Ireland with the gospel. This return wasn’t immediate, but the desire to go back to the land of his captivity was extraordinary.

Eventually, Patrick returned to Ireland. Although his time was not easy, God used him. While he was not the first Christian (even the first bishop) on the island, it seems that Christianity really took root during his ministry.

Anyway, if you read St. Patrick of Ireland or any other missionary biography in March, what did you think?