Bill Wallace of China

f he had lived, Bill Wallace would be 100 years old now. But the Southern Baptist missionary and dedicated surgeon, beloved by nearly all who knew him, died alone 57 years ago in a cold jail cell far from home. Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., named for the martyred missionary, recently celebrated the centennial of his birth. But more than celebrating his birth, Wallace Memorial wants Southern Baptists to remember his life. To help future Baptist leaders know the story of this real-life hero, the church has partnered with Holman Bible Outreach International to reprint his biography, Bill Wallace of China, by Jesse Fletcher, first published in 1963. Bill Wallace of China tells the heroic story of how the quiet, mild-mannered Wallace stood strong during the Boxer Rebellion, World War II, and the communists' take over of power. He refused to flee for safety so that he could continue ministering to his patients through his medical practice and by sharing the gospel of Christ. In the end, it cost him his life. But the story of his sacrifice still lives on. "Reading this biography of Bill Wallace was one of the most significant factors God used to bring my life into absolute surrender and obedience to His call." - Dr. Jerry Rankin, President of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention