Deborah Drapper

Caution: The BBC3 documentary "Deborah 13: Servant of God" includes Deborah's introduction to the "real world" of dance clubs and college parties, so viewer discretion is encouraged.

I learned about Deborah, a 13-year-old homeschool teenager from Dorset, England, from The Rebelution blog. (The background information they share is worth reading.)

I love Deborah's boldness and quiet confidence in the gospel. Though I don't subscribe to every aspect of her family's isolation from culture, her life is a reminder that a Christian with a consecrated heart and love for Jesus will always be a relevant witness to a lost world.

Comments (8)

Josh,
As an American who recently moved to England, I want to point out that homeschooling is very rare. The fact that she is home schooled and has so many siblings already makes her an "outcast" in some ways. She is inspiring and amazing to boldly stand up for her faith like she does when the pressures to fit in and not talk about Jesus are so high on any 13 year old, not to mention one who lives in England! She inspires me as my family and I do our best to share the Good News with those around us here.

Posted by Caitlin L | March 26, 2009 12:24 PM

Josh, after watching the video.... it is wonderful to see her purity BUT as an american home schooled sovereign gracer doing mission work over here in the UK, i can't help but feel a little concerned by her witness.

Her life of not having friends her own age, being completely out of touch with the world leaves me a bit saddened.

But the biggest concern of all is her danger of redefining the gospel and the Bible (i.e. she declares that the Bible says we shouldn't drink). Paul himself wrote the book of Galations to call out against people adding to the gospel and its freedom.

i am saddened that non-believers might get the impression that to be a christian one must live OUT of the world. And it is sad that it is the unusual "weird" christians are the only ones that the media highlights. Even so.... i believe God can use her and her gospel message to save. May he do so.

Her heart is admirable and right on target. But can you really lift up her parents methods and teachings as something to be admired? (by the way... i am very glad for the fact i was home schooled by parents who didn't see home schooling and the monk-life as synonymous)

Isn't our main purpose in remaining here on earth as christians - MISSION.... to reach the world?

Posted by Katherine Dixon | March 26, 2009 12:29 PM

Thanks for sharing this!

Posted by becky | March 26, 2009 2:43 PM

Thanks for posting Josh!
I have seen these videos previously and have been very much encourgaed by her faithfulness to the Lord and have recently found her blog to be a way to share with her personally how much of an impact she has made on many people. I hear many people concerned that she doesn't have friends and is isolated but I found that when she visited her brother at the university...she was able to talk with his friends freely and when she was able, share the gospel.This is a young woman with a mission ...a godly mission that all of us should be so passionate about.I rarely see those of her age in the bible who frequently hung out with a bunch of friends their age but moreso it can be seen that their family was their dominant people group and God used these young people for mighty things....i.e. King Josiah, David, Jacob etc. These people were greatly used of God and while we may differ in opinions whether she should have more of a life as we see it as if she is deprived of something...she seems to be passionate about the Lord and that says something great about how her parents have been obedient to the Word of God to train her in the way she should go. She is off to a great start and I wish her well :D
Angela

Posted by Angela Williams | March 26, 2009 8:00 PM

"Would they consider themselves to be a good person? Would you?" This sounds bad on so many levels. It is certainly commendable for a family to stand against the cultural tide, but I'm not sure this is the sort of thing to trumpet. Not very gracious.

Posted by J | March 26, 2009 8:53 PM

Wow, so humbling as I think about all the ways the world informs and affects my life. I was so moved when she said she was saddened by the way girls her age are living. What a heart of mercy, mercy informed by the truths of God.
Thanks for posting this Josh.

Posted by Zac Martin | March 27, 2009 12:28 PM

...very refreshing...

Posted by Anonymous | March 27, 2009 9:29 PM

In all honesty it was confronting. But good in that it did. She ultimately is saying it as it is - maybe we're a bit too PC in how we couch the Gospel? I'm involved in ministry and to be honest both in sometimes not wanting to offend people and also the extent the world impacts my own life I've compromised. Her life is an encouragement to show our true colors and let the chips fall where they will.

The church needs more Deborah Drappers - both young and old!

Posted by Samuel Clarke | March 28, 2009 4:59 AM

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