罗约翰牧师效法基督“道成肉身”，进入中国东北，向当地人民，包括朝鲜人宣讲福音、引领人归主、教导信徒耶稣的教训（太28:19-20）。他建立多间教会，却不当堂会的牧者，从一开始就把棒子交给所栽培的传道人，让他们自治、自传和自养。他也办医疗服务、神学院教育等。即使他离开了当地，那里的教会仍然存留，因为当地教会已能“三自”，在基督里，依靠神，通过圣灵继续茁壮成长。

First published in 1977 and now in its third edition, this book has been recognised as one of the most successful studies to be made of the impact of a Christian mission in Africa. Starting with a survey of the economy and society of Malawi in the mid ninetieth century, the book goes on to examine the home background to the Livingstonia Mission of the Free Church of Scotland and the influence of David Livingstone upon it. It then describes the failure of 'commerce and Christianity' around the south end of Lake Malawi and the subsequent positive response which the mission evoked among the people of Northern Malawi. African responses and the relationship between Christianity and politics dominate the second half of the book. Comprehensive reassessments are made of the origins of the Watch Tower movement; the growth of Christian independence and the character of interpolitical associations. This revised edition includes a new introduction, and up-dated bibliography, and some revised text.