The eighteenth century began with the Calvinistic Baptists in poor condition. Small in number and despised, there seemed to be little hope for the future. But God began to work in remarkable ways.Looking at some of the leading figures of around that time, Michael Haykin shows what lessons can be learned for today, and our need of a work of God.

Amongst many other things, we learn of the conversion of a young William Carey, who would eventually take the gospel to India; of a Benjamin Francis, who spent his whole life preaching, and looking after a people who were too poor to support him and his family; of the friendship between John Ryland Jr and Andrew Fuller which stirred them to reach the nations for Christ. Here were people convinced that everyone needs to hear the gospel of Christ.

Michael Haykin has a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Toronto, a M.Rel. from Wycliffe College, the University of Toronto, and a Th.D. in Church History from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto. He serves as Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.      He is also the director of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies and the director for theological development for Sola Scriptura Ministries International (Kitchener, ON).