Portraits of Courage
Stories of Baptist Heroes

Portraits of Courage: Stories of Baptist Heroes is designed especially for older children and youth to discover the stories of remarkable Baptist heroes. This collection of inspiring biographies introduces young readers to men and women who made a difference through their faith and courage. These Baptist heroes come from various countries and centuries, showcasing the diverse history and global influence of Baptists. Each chapter offers an engaging look into the life of these leaders, who have made significant contributions to the Baptist tradition. Download the free Portraits of Courage e-book here.

Portraits of Courage Curriculum & Teaching Resource is designed to guide leaders through using this free e-book to explore the lives of Baptist heroes with students in congregational settings. Each chapter includes discussion questions that encourage students to think critically about the stories, and hands-on activities to deepen their engagement. Download the free curriculum and teaching resource here.

This flexible resource allows you to explore the stories of Baptist heroes at your own pace. Whether you want to focus on a specific hero or study multiple figures over time, you can tailor the experience to meet the needs of your context.

Below, you will find each Portraits of Courage chapter along with its accompanying teaching resource, available for individual download.

Introduction — What Makes a Baptist Hero?
What Makes a Baptist Hero? Whether from different cultures or speaking different languages, Baptist heroes stand united in their belief in freedom, following God’s call to serve, and making an impact through ordinary lives.

Download the e-book chapter on What Makes a Baptist Hero.
Download the teaching resource on What Makes a Baptist Hero.

John Smyth — Baptist Trailblazer
John Smyth, a trailblazing co-founder of the Baptist tradition, started the first Baptist church, advocating for believer’s baptism and religious freedom, and shaping the development of Baptist beliefs.

Download the e-book chapter on John Smyth.
Download the teaching resource on John Smyth.

John Clarke — Baptist Freedom Fighter
John Clarke helped establish religious freedom in colonial America, founding the Baptist church in Newport, Rhode Island, and advocating for believer’s baptism and liberty of conscience through his writings and leadership.

Download the e-book chapter on John Clarke.
Download the teaching resource on John Clarke.

Ann Hasseltine Judson — Baptist Missionary Pioneer
Ann Hasseltine Judson, a pioneering Baptist woman missionary, dedicated her life to spreading the Gospel in Burma, helping shape Baptist missions worldwide.

Download the e-book chapter on Ann Hasseltine Judson.
Download the teaching resource on Ann Hasseltine Judson.

Jesse Mercer — Baptist Denominational Leader
Jesse Mercer, a prominent Baptist leader, shaped Georgia Baptists through his founding of Mercer University and advocacy for church cooperation, missions, and religious education.

Download the e-book chapter on Jesse Mercer.
Download the teaching resource on Jesse Mercer.

Lottie Moon — Baptist Teacher
Lottie Moon, a passionate educator and missionary, served in China, breaking barriers for women in ministry and inspiring generations through her faithful service and leadership.

Download the e-book chapter on Lottie Moon.
Download the teaching resource on Lottie Moon.

William Knibb — Baptist Liberator
William Knibb, a courageous advocate for justice, fought for the abolition of slavery in Jamaica, liberating thousands and transforming the lives of freed people through his ministry.

Download the e-book chapter on William Knibb.
Download the teaching resource on William Knibb.

Louise (Lulu) Fleming — Baptist Missionary Doctor
Lulu Fleming, the first African American woman sent as a Baptist missionary, served as a doctor in Africa, providing medical care and education to communities in need.

Download the e-book chapter on Lulu Fleming.
Download the teaching resource on Lulu Fleming.

Walter Rauschenbusch — Baptist Prophet
Walter Rauschenbusch, a Baptist pastor, theologian and leader of the Social Gospel movement, urged Christians to confront poverty and inequality, linking faith with advocacy to address systemic injustice.

Download the e-book chapter on Walter Rauschenbusch.
Download the teaching resource on Walter Rauschenbusch.

Martin Luther King Jr. — Baptist Dreamer
Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist pastor and civil rights leader, promoted nonviolence and justice, advocating for racial equality and becoming a symbol of hope, challenging the United States to fulfill its ideals of freedom.

Download the e-book chapter on Martin Luther King Jr.
Download the teaching resource on Martin Luther King Jr.

Addie Davis — Baptist Pastor
Addie Davis, the first woman ordained as a Southern Baptist minister, broke barriers in ministry, serving several churches as pastor and inspiring future generations of Baptist women to pursue their callings in church ministry.

Download the e-book chapter on Addie Davis.
Download the teaching resource on Addie Davis.

Jimmy Carter — Baptist Peacemaker
Jimmy Carter, a Baptist peacemaker and former United States president, has dedicated his life to promoting global peace, human rights, and justice, using his faith as a guiding force in leadership and service.

Download the e-book chapter on Jimmy Carter.
Download the teaching resource on Jimmy Carter.

Leena Lavanya — “Baptist Mother Teresa”
Leena Lavanya, often called the “Baptist Mother Teresa,” has devoted her life to serving India’s marginalized communities, offering care and compassion through her ministry, embodying her faith in practical, transformative ways.

Download the e-book chapter on Leena Lavanya.
Download the teaching resource on Leena Lavanya.

Theo Angelov — Persecuted Baptist
Theo Angelov, a persecuted Baptist pastor in Bulgaria, bravely led his church under communist rule, advocating for religious freedom and enduring hardship to keep the Christian faith alive in his country.

Download the e-book chapter on Theo Angelov.
Download the teaching resource on Theo Angelov.

Olu Menjay — Baptist Rebuilder
Olu Menjay, a prominent Liberian Baptist leader, has dedicated his life to advancing Baptist education and values, transforming countless lives through his commitment to faith-based education and community development.

Download the e-book chapter on Olu Menjay.
Download the teaching resource on Olu Menjay.

Conclusion — What Makes a Baptist Hero?
So, what makes a Baptist hero? This conclusion chapter encourages readers to reflect on the qualities of Baptist heroes, inspiring them to listen to God’s call, work for justice and serve their communities with courage.

Download the e-book chapter on What Makes a Baptist Hero.
Download the teaching resource on What Makes a Baptist Hero.

Share how you are using Portraits of Courage! E-mail BHHS Executive Director Aaron Weaver at aweaver@thebhhs.org.

About the Author: Rev. Julie Whidden Long, author of Potraits of Courage, is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia. Rev. Long holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Christianity and History and a Master of Divinity from Mercer University.

About the Publisher: The Baptist History & Heritage Society (BHHS) is a nonprofit organization of Baptist scholars, clergy, laity, students and congregations committed to helping Baptists discover, conserve, assess and share their history. BHHS’ vision is to bridge the worlds of the academy and the congregation while sharing the stories of Baptists.

Invest in Baptist identity! Give today and make a lasting impact at www.thebhhs.org/give. Your gifts support our work of developing resources like Portraits of Courage and assist in our vital mission to share the Baptist story.

Interested in learning how you and your congregation can partner with Baptist History & Heritage Society and help sustain our ministry? Contact BHHS Executive Director Aaron Weaver at aweaver@thebhhs.org.