A Century of Christian Missions & Humanitarians

Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut,

because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8

Reformation Calvinists believed “When God pleases to covert the heathen, He’ll do it without consulting you or me.” Concerned that the Church had fallen into cold, lifeless orthodoxy, the Moravians (Pietists) began intensely active mission endeavors. Led by Philip Spener (1635-1705), these German Lutherans were catalysts for the modern missionary movement by sending the first missionaries to St. Thomas, W.I. Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf (1700-1760) “I have loved Christ for a long time, but have never actually done anything for Him. Henceforth, I will do whatever He leads me to do.” Meeting regularly for prayer, they sent 1 missionary for every 60 people at home, about 266 missionaries. These led John Wesley to saving faith aboard ship returning to England from his disappointing “mission” to America. Inspired George Müller & William Carey.

1718-1747 / David Brainerd / Missionary to American Indians
Ferocious Indians of NY, NJ, PA / Expelled from Yale for criticizing a prof. Fragile, frail—strong prayer warrior, died of TB at 29. / Indians preparing to kill him, witnessed a rattlesnake hiss at him on his knees and slither away…considered him a Prophet of God.
1735-1811 / Robert Raikes / English editor, publisher
Father of Sunday Schools / Methodist—beginning of popular education movement / taught urban poor children manners, read, write, right living,
1761-1834 / William Carey / English cobbler, teacher
Father of Modern Missions / Baptist Missionary (founder) to India / Attempt great things for God;
Expect great things from God
waited 7 years before he got his 1st convert
17/- 1828 / George Leile / America’s 1st Missionary to a foreign land (Jamaica) / African-American freed slave fro GA and Baptist Pastor. / Friend of both slaves and their owners.
1759-1833 / William Wilberforce / Social Reformer & English statesman in Parliament / Led English fight to abolished slavery in the British Empire, porn shops / Raised by his aunt who influenced him in the Methodist movement.
1785-1872 / Peter Cartwright / Am. Methodist circuit-rider / KY-TN-IL for 50 years. annual salary $30-40..Kept Christ “alive” on the frontier / Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world
1788-1850 / Adoniram Judson / 1st American Missionary-Overseas / Burma, ABC for Foreign Missions (founder) / translated entire Bible into Burmese. 63 churches, 7,000 converts. Favorite theme: The love of Christ
1813-1873 / Dr. David Livingstone / Scottish physician / Pathfinder of Central Africa
discovered interior of Africa, named Victoria Falls / (each birthday) my Jesus, my King, my All. Again I dedicate my whole self to Thee
1832-1905 / Hudson Taylor / Father of Faith Missions
(went without the support of a mission society) / China Inland Mission (founder)
Interdenominational mission: 205 mission stations, 800 missionaries, and 125,000 Chinese Christians / depended on God alone for financial support. thought to speak, dress, act like Chinese that they might be won to gospel
Christ is either Lord of all or not Lord at all.
1865-1898 / George Müller / English, founder of orphanages with 2 shillings in his pocket / Resolved never to tell anyone his needs, except God. Self-denial for cause of Christ. / Live by faith.
1867-1951 / Amy Carmichael / Irish socialite, reversal of fortune. / Total commitment, selflessness. Rescued children in India dedicated to become temple prostitutes. / You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.
1887-1913 / William Borden / Millionaire-sold out to God / At Yale, began hundreds of Bible studies. Would befriend the most incorrigible to witness of Christ. died in Egypt learning Arabic, in prep. for mission field, at 25. / No Reserves. No Retreat. No Regrets.