Creative Writing as Ministry - 4. Creative Nonfiction

 By. Sophia B.

Pixabay

When I was in elementary school, I usually equated nonfiction with “boring” books. If my teacher ever took our class to the school library, I would avoid the nonfiction section and instead head toward the fiction section, where I could find the Paddington or American Girl books. However, I now enjoy reading nonfiction works because of the story quality of creative nonfiction works. According to Writers.com, creative nonfiction “is a form of storytelling that employs the creative writing techniques of literature, such as poetry and fiction, to retell a true story” (Glatch, par. 5). The genre is different than the mere presentation of facts since it presents true events using a story.

Today’s postmodern culture of the Western world is drawn more toward stories than the presentation of facts and logic. Although Christians should not throw out the use of logical proof, we need to consider our postmodern audience and “also concentrate on the imagination and aesthetics, giving attention to beauty, stories, emotions, and feelings” (Chan 121). Creative nonfiction powerfully melds real events with the gripping beauty of literary forms by giving readers a story that is personal yet true. As writers, we need to recognize that creative nonfiction holds immense potential for presenting testimonies, life events, and other teachings from a biblical worldview in a way that captivates readers.   

Personal Testimonies for Christ

Memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies are all personal works that immerse readers into the lives of others. These works can also present a compelling presentation of the gospel through personal testimony. An example of a book that testifies to the good news of Jesus is Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. In the prologue of his autobiographical work, Qureshi sketches an emotional scene where he is praying in a mosque, asking God to reveal Himself (26). Throughout the rest of the book, the reader is taken on an exciting journey of faith as Qureshi discovers that Jesus is God and the only Savior.

His book serves as a testimony to Muslims about true faith in Christ and provides an apologetic for interacting with people who practice Islam. In the expanded edition of the book, there is an extended epilogue that includes further information about his salvation, how to minister to Muslims, and his advice to new believers who come from an Islamic background (Qureshi 284-297). Thus, readers can learn about his testimony and how to minister to Muslims through his personal story of faith.

Strengthening Faith through Nonfiction

Biographical works also strengthen the faith of believers. My walk with Christ has been enriched by reading biographies like A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot, about the life of Amy Carmichael, and Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn. I read these books at key moments, which encouraged me in a deeper relationship with Christ. When I read A Chance to Die, I was experiencing severe anemia and undergoing iron infusions. Amy Carmichael’s example of faith, regardless of her health, challenged me to trust God more deeply.

During the pandemic in 2020, I read Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, which again challenged my faith and relationship with God. Elliot's ability to continue working on the mission field and evangelizing to the people who killed her husband was humbling. It made me question if I would be able to show such love and grace to “my enemies.” Since Jesus tells us “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” His words took on new meaning when I read of how Elliot lived them out (Matt. 5:44).

True Stories of Hope

Other creative nonfiction works can also touch the lives of hurting individuals. In Joey, Jennifer Marshall Bleakley presents the true story of a blind horse who changes the lives of children and adults at the ministry Hope Reigns in Raleigh, North Carolina. Although Joey went blind after being neglected at his former home, he was able to help many children who were going through difficult issues like abuse or depression. One example is how Speckles, the horse that helped Joey around the field, impacted a little boy who had autism and did not like to be touched. After experiencing contact with Speckles, he willingly touched his mother’s nose and allowed himself to be touched, which was a major feat (Bleakley 150-151). As Bleakley states in the book, “Two horses that many would say were broken and unusable had just brought hope into the life of a mother desperate to reach her son” (151).      

The story is inspirational and powerful because just as two horses that had experienced evilness at the hand of others through abuse and neglect were able to bring hope and healing into the lives of others, so also can readers’ lives be used by God for His good. Even if we are broken and have experienced pain, the Lord can use us for His glory. Books like Joey demonstrate that nonfiction works can encourage hope in readers.

Closing Thoughts

    While nonfiction is often regarded as less exciting than fiction or poetry, the advances in creative nonfiction have made this genre popular in bookstores and libraries. I have been strengthened in my faith through biographies and comforted by works that speak to the sufferings I have faced. If these Christian authors were able to strengthen my walk with God and teach me biblical truths, then I am confident nonfiction writing can affect people for Christ just as powerfully as fiction and poetry.  

Works Cited

Bleakley, Jennifer Marshall. Joey: How a blind rescue horse helped others learn to see. Tyndale, 2018.

Chan, Sam.  Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable. Zondervan Academic, 2018.

Elliot, Elisabeth. A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael. Revell, 1987.

Glatch, Sean. “Creative Nonfiction: What It Is and How to Write It.” Writers.com, 08 Sept. 2020, https://writers.com/what-is-creative-nonfiction. 

Qureshi, Nabeel. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Zondervan, 2016.

Vaughn, Ellen. Becoming Elisabeth Elliot. B&H, 2020.

Suggested Works for Further Reading

• A Deep Dependence by Bill Crowder - Our Daily Bread is a great example of nonfiction writing that uses personal stories to connect with biblical truths.
• A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller – Using his experience as a shepherd, Keller relates biblical lessons through his examples of herding sheep.
• Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances by Rachel Anne Ridge – A heartwarming story about how a donkey changed the life of a woman and her family. 
• Joey: How a blind rescue horse helped others learn to see by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley.
• Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi.
• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel - Although Strobel is presenting logical proofs of Christianity, he presents his evidence in a way where the reader travels with him through his investigation.

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