What a treasure. Odyssey of Faith has provided a beautiful link in my understanding of the history of our nation, and even of God’s plan to share His love with the world. What a handsome production. My mind is awhirl with thoughts of how to help others, especially all those involved in Christian education, to become more aware and more appreciative of the truths revealed by this book. At the same time, I am embarrassed to realize how many students I led through the history of America without offering them, in my ignorance, a clue about God’s involvement in our first permanent colony. What does this mean for me? As a recipient of the riches of God’s grace and blessing, and a beneficiary of the godly aims and goals of those first settlers, I am a part of this Odyssey of Faith, as are each of those students I was teaching. Our own odyssey of faith is a part of that begun by Martin Luther and the reformers, and taken up by those leaders in England in the 1600s, and those courageous commoners who climbed aboard those ships and headed for the new world. What can I do to reach the “salvages” living in our nation today? Their numbers are growing once again, and their “arrows” are striking and hurting God’s family, the Christian Church. Odyssey of Faith is both armor and armament against the onslaughts of Satan’s tribe. I’m not sure just yet where this will lead, but I hope to find a way to be of service to those who are leading today’s students in the Lutheran schools of our nation. Thank you, most sincerely, for your gift, Chris and Max. May God continue His blessings upon you and all those engaged in the Savior’s mission, to “disciple all nations.” Martin Barlau Loveland, CO Our secular age tends to assume that our forefathers were as those of today. Accordingly, when they write history, they often distort the role of religion in history, or more often, they filter it out, leaving us to assume that religion just wasn’t very important to those who settled this country. This is especially true of Jamestown, where even tour guides will tell sometimes us the Jamestown settlers had no interest in God. This leaves us with a distorted picture of how the Jamestown settlers thought, why they crossed the Atlantic, and what they did when they arrived. And it is possible to give the impression that Jamestown was purely secular without distorting a single fact but rather by telling the facts selectively. Sometimes the telling of history is shaped not by what is told but by what is left out. But this leaves an incomplete picture of Jamestown. Laws and customs are shaped by moral values, and moral values are based on religion. What the Jamestown settlers believed about God and the Bible is therefore of utmost importance. And that’s why Odyssey of Faith: The Colony of Virginia, Jamestown, and You, by Chris Evans, is a vital and timely contribution. Going back to original documents rather than just following modern sources, Evans gives us the story behind the story: the vision of Richard Hakluyt of Christian colonies in North America, the Charter of the Virginia Company signed by King James I which declares the purpose of the colony to be the conversion of the “salvages” to Christianity, the faithful ministry of Rev. Robert Hunt and Rev. Alexander Whittaker, the Christian character of Captain John Smith, the conversion of Pocahontas, and so much more. Beautifully illustrated, Odyssey of Faith is directed toward children, but adults will learn much from reading it. With the help of the Teacher Guide, Odyssey will be a spiritually uplifting learning experience for you and your children. John A. Eidsmoe, Colonel(MS), Mississippi State Guard Senior Counsel, Foundation for Moral Law Pastor, Association of Free Lutheran Congregations “Providential history - like the grace that inspires it- is redemptive: refreshingly innocent, but eternally fecund. In a time when scorn for the noble and defilement of virtue abound, this little tome celebrates unabashedly the good. It will sow seeds of greatness in the young minds of tomorrow’s Virginians. Generations will be inspired by the bold zeal, resilient faith and providential provision of the first settlers, who brought the early seeds of Reformation to New World.” “Odyssey of Faith elegantly mixes the adventure and the testimony that its title promises. It imparts eternal principles and surprises us with the “whizz” of flying arrows while teasing curious young minds with rich leading questions.” Jose L. González Stonebridge School parent, grandparent and Board member emeritus President of Semilla, a Latin American Christian Leadership Development Ministry This book masterfully describes the founding of our country in words and pictures. With emphasis on the true reason for this great work, it will dispel many erroneous ideas about the motivation for the Jamestown settlement. Text and illustrations quickly draw the reader into the story. It should be required reading for every student and parent! Peter O’ Halloran, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, retired JoAnne O’Halloran, mother and former teacher In 2007 Mark Beliles and I published The American Dream which details the planting of the American Christian Republic beginning at Jamestown. Chris Evans has written the perfect complement to our book, hers for the young reader, teacher and parent. I know of no other children’s book about Jamestown that tells the Providential story. The teacher guide is an added bonus, enabling teachers and parents to use this beautiful and delightful book as Virginia history curriculum. Stephen McDowell, President of the Providence Foundation We are aware of two nations which began by being dedicated to God at their inception; biblical Israel with its Abrahamic Covenant and later the Deuteronomy Covenant; and America with the dedication of the Jamestown colony to God at Cape Henry in 1607. This book captures the story of the latter in a way easily understood by children while captivating the interest of parents. This is a foundational part of our unique American history which needs to be a part of the educational legacy of our children, and now with this book can be. I highly recommend it. Roy Allan Dudley, President (1992-2008), The Order of Cape Henry 1607 I know you will enjoy a refreshing emphasis on evangelism in the settlement of America by the English. The book begins historically with the story of Richard Hakluyt, but in most histories he has vanished. The story highlights the positive assertions of godly people and their impact upon the Queen and King James of England. So much of our histories emphasize the negative and “what went wrong,” but this well- researched, historic retelling will inspire your children. Dr. Paul Jehle, Senior Pastor, The New Testament Church Odyssey of Faith: The Colony of Virginia, Jamestown, and You, is a captivating journey unlocking the unique beginning our nation. Written in an easy-to- follow style for children, every adult will find themselves drawn into it and learning things you were never taught! Odyssey of Faith presents the true providential point of view held by the founders, revealing the deep convictions which motivated and inspired them. The story of America begins with the Landing at Cape Henry and the First Permanent English Settlement at Jamestown. This book brings the inspiring historical facts before our eyes with source documents and quotes and the beautiful illustrations will engage the interest and grasp the attention of a child. I highly recommend Odyssey of Faith to every American. William J. Federer, best-selling author of Americas God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations. Delightfully illustrated and nicely documented, Odyssey of Faith is not just for kids, it’s for all of us. After generations of neglect of the providential details of the true Jamestown legacy, Odyssey bursts forth with page after page of the exact words and acts of our intrepid English forbears, documenting that the American nation originated in the hearts and minds of Christians responding to the Great Commission. Herbert W. Titus, Attorney, Author