“I Would Die for You”
June 15, 2009 – 12:46 pm
One student’s story of passion, service and faith
It’s not common that you come across the biography of a teenager. Less common still, a biography describing a missions-minded teenager who loved God passionately, in life and in death. Meet BJ Higgins, as described by his parents, Brent and Deanna, in the book I Would Die for You (Revell, 2008).
About the Book:
“It’s an honor just to be nominated”: familiar words for Emmy and Grammy nominees. Still, Brent and Deanna Higgins never believed the phrase would pertain to their family. Outreach magazine has recently honored the Higgins’ book, I Would Die for You, with a nomination as Outreach Resource of the Year.
That nomination, however, came with a great cost. I Would Die for You chronicles the life and death of their young son, BJ Higgins; along with his faith; his passion for missions and his love for God. Compelling excerpts from personal notes, blog entries school assignments and journals reveal his clear calling and enthusiasm for sharing the gospel of Christ. BJ’s challenging words and example combine to inspire readers of all ages.
After returning from his second short-term international mission trip at the age of 15, BJ became seriously ill. Six days before his sixteenth birthday, he died. His story lives on throughout the pages of his parents’ book.
In spite of the inevitable grief , Brent and Deanna share their son’s message of selfless sacrifice through both I Would Die for You and Awe Star Ministries, the nonprofit ministry that coordinated his mission trips. Their prayer? That countless others will embrace BJ’s vision and give their all for the cause of Christ.
In the words of another teenager:
BJ was just a year younger than me, and in his short life he had such a full life and could die with no regrets. He had a sense of urgency in telling the story of the gospel and its transforming power to others. He didn’t worry about what they thought or if he would be rejected.
–T. Buse
To find out more about BJ and I Would Die for You:
PrayforBJ.com - devotionals, complete archives, pictures, and BJ’s own words.
