Distant Fields: The Amazing Call of George Markey from Farmland to Missions

by Jed Gourley

When George Markey announced that he was moving to the former Soviet Union with his wife and eight children, many people thought he was crazy. But what happened next would change their own lives and the lives of countless others.

Follow the journey of a man of faith. This is the story of a simple man from the North American Midwest, whose not-so-simple journey led him and his family into the urban centers of Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.

Genres: Christian, Biography

232 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2014

Reviews

[Marilynn Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Distant Fields by Jed Gourley proved to be one of those books, one of those stories that would confirm that God can use anyone regardless of background, if they would surrender completely to Him. I've always enjoyed reading missionary stories such as the Hudson twins to Asia, or of the Elliots and their fateful trip into Inca territory. I've enjoyed stories such as "God's Smuggler" about Brother Andrew, "Tortured for Christ" about Wirmbrand, and like George, I too have read "Revolution in World Missions". So to read George's story and to discover myself a contemporary to half his children, was amazing. Then to discover that he had some of the same character-quirk hang-ups that I do, made the ability to relate even stronger.

The style of writing was very personal, like that of reading a memoire more than a biography of one's life. Eventually I'd discover that the author was (spoiler alert) married to one of George's kids. This made the telling of the story very personal, and it was impossible to miss the growing sense of "goodbye" that was looming as the author approached the latter pages of the book. Most professional editors would have had a conniption at Jed's sentence fragments, or worse, at his use of the occasional single-word sentence, but he was writing this way on purpose. This book is a very personal work, and to remove some of the conversational structure of the writing would have been to render it's heart anemic. The telling of this story was both personal and introductory.

As I sit here now writing out my thoughts, I too am left with a sense of what this world has lost. I look forward to meeting George in heaven one day and am grateful to hear that his family continues to reach out to people on the mission field and at home.

Thank you Jed, for letting me read this story. God truly can use anyone if they will let Him.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspired by reading this story of a man with simple, uncompromising faith and all that God can do through a person who seeks first His kingdom. Since I knew George Markey at the later stage of his life (though not closely) when there was so much evident fruit in his ministry, it was interesting to read how God had used trials and seeming failures in George's life previously all to accomplish the work He did through George. This book and the life of George Markey that it portrays so warmly and personally is an encouragement to follow the call of God without compromise to the end. Highly recommended.

[Brook Maturo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book due to my love of all things Ukraine and Central Asia. Both places I have visited and loved. While the story is compelling, I was rather disappointed by the rambling preachiness and moralizing. But overall a lovely story of inspiring people.

[Patrick Vesperman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a poorly organized and written book, it is amazing to see a man and woman so willing to heed their call above all else.

[Kristin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has challenged my life in every way. The life of George Markey has always been an inspiration to me, but being able to read this book and put together all of the details has been invaluable. He was a true servant leader. His testimony is a modern day inspiration that is on the same level as Hudson Taylor and Isobel Kuhn.

I pray that God would use our family the way he used George, Pam, and all of their children.

There is a lot of practical advice to be gleaned from this book about dealing with conflict in ministry, as well sharing the gospel in other countries while maintaing cultural sensitivity. It is a must read for any Christian, but especially pastors and missionaries.

[Marti Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author sent me a free copy of this book he'd written about his father-in-law in hopes that I would review / promote it in our missions magazine, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. This is fairly well written and a decent tribute - Gourley did a great job producing a work that would honor Markey and preserve his story for his friends and family. But, as with so many self-published missionary biographies, it lacks wide appeal. I did not find much that would engage a reader who did not know this man or have some direct connection to him and his context.

[Blake Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the inspiring story of George Markey who went to the Ukraine with his family of 8 children to serve as a missionary at the age of 50. You almost feel that you know him after reading this book. Although he was limited in his language skills, his love for people spoke deeply and overcame many obstacles.