Biography

Dr. Mary Longdon was one of the dedicated missionary women doctors who gave her life to serve people in India. She studied at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, where she completed her medical degree. The experience she gained as a young doctor there became a great blessing for her later work in India. She also completed her post-graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. After finishing all her training, she offered herself for missionary service and sailed to India in December 1899.

Biography:

• Birth: –
• Home Calling (Death): –
• Native Place: Pennsylvania
• Country: United States of America
• Place of Ministry: India

When Dr. Mary arrived in India, her first posting was at Deogarh, where she served faithfully for nearly twelve years. Later, she was transferred to Bilaspur, where she worked for five years, and then to Pendra Road, where she continued her ministry for ten years. In her later years, she took charge of all the medical work in the Hamirpur District in the United Provinces.

Her responsibilities were many — she cared for women and children in the mission homes at Kulpahar, and often had to travel long distances to places like Mahoba and Rath. These journeys were difficult because of the rough roads and harsh weather, yet she continued her service without complaint.

Mary Longdon’s Ministry in India:
The most important and lasting work of Dr. Mary Longdon was the establishment of the Tuberculosis Sanatorium at Pendra Road — the only institution of its kind in that part of India at the time. The sanatorium served men and women of all religions, offering medical care and comfort to those suffering from the disease.

Through her kindness, humility, and gentle nature, Mary made many friends among the upper-class Indian families. It was through one of these friendships that she received the first donation from a Hindu family to build the sanatorium — a beautiful example of unity and love beyond religion.

Mary personally selected Pendra Road as the perfect location for the sanatorium because of its clean air and peaceful surroundings. Later, the institution became known as a Union Christian Sanatorium. Through her faithful planning and tireless service, countless people were healed — both physically and spiritually.

Dr. Mary Longdon served the people of India with deep love and dedication for thirty-eight years. In 1937, she retired from her active ministry, leaving behind a great legacy of compassion, service, and faith.

Life and Ministry

Stanley Jones was an American missionary and Christian thinker. He is best known for starting the Christian Ashram Movement in India. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was just 17 years old. Later, he finished his Law degree at Asbury College, Kentucky. Even though he planned to work as a lawyer, he chose to follow God’s call and serve in ministry. In 1907, the Methodist Episcopal Church sent him to India as a missionary.

Biography:

• Birth: January 3, 1884
• Death: January 25, 1973
• Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
• Country: United States
• Place of Ministry: India

During one train journey in India, Jones met a Muslim man. Out of love and interest, he read to him from the Sermon on the Mount. The man replied, “Our Holy Book also says the same. All religions teach good things; only the paths are different.” This response made Jones think deeply. He wondered whether he should try to argue and prove Christianity right, or find another better way to share Christ.

After prayer and thought, he found a new way. He started the idea of a Christian Ashram — a place where people of all faiths could come together, discuss, and understand what each religion teaches. Through these discussions, Jones used a peaceful way to share the message of Jesus Christ.

Ministry in India and Beyond:
Stanley Jones used these meetings as an opportunity to tell others about Christ. His method of evangelism was simple — he presented Jesus as the Savior of all people, not tied to any culture or country.

His ministry grew far beyond India. He preached and taught in many countries like America, Canada, and Japan. Throughout his life, he gave thousands of sermons, encouraging people to surrender their lives to Jesus. Many were deeply changed by his words and faith.

Jones encouraged Indian Christians to follow Christ while keeping their own Indian culture. He believed Christianity could grow naturally in Indian soil without losing its true message.

He wrote over 30 books, which continue to inspire and guide people around the world. Jones once said about his mission:

“I realized that the Gospel is in the person of Jesus Himself. He is the Good News, and my only task is to live Him and show Him.”

At the age of 90, Stanley Jones peacefully went to be with the Lord, completing his life’s calling and leaving behind a great legacy of faith and love.

Biography

Full Name: Dr. Alexander Duff
Birth: April 15, 1806
Death: February 12, 1878
Native Place: Perthshire
Country: Scotland
Place of Vision: India

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Early Life and Calling

Dr. Alexander Duff was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in a humble farming family. From childhood, he displayed an excellent academic mind and a deep love for God. He pursued Arts and Theology at St. Andrews University, where he not only excelled in studies but also founded a student missionary society — an early sign of his passion for world missions.

After completing his studies, Duff accepted the call from the Church of Scotland to serve as their first missionary to India. His missionary journey to India was marked by faith and courage — he survived two shipwrecks before finally arriving in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1830, along with his wife.

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Ministry in India

Upon arriving in India, Dr. Duff realized that education was one of the most powerful means to reach the people, especially the higher castes of Hindus and Muslims. He believed that education, when combined with the Gospel, could transform hearts and minds.

He therefore devoted his life to establishing Christian educational institutions that taught both Biblical truth and modern scientific knowledge. His vision was clear — to challenge ignorance and superstition through learning rooted in Christ.

He introduced a Western system of education within a Christian framework, where subjects like science, history, and philosophy were taught alongside Bible studies. Through this approach, Duff gained respect among intellectuals and opened new doors for the Gospel in India.

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Educational Legacy

Dr. Alexander Duff founded several important institutions, among which the Scottish Church College (established in 1830) stands as his most enduring legacy. This college later became one of the foundations for the University of Calcutta.

These institutions not only provided education but also produced leaders, reformers, and preachers who influenced India’s spiritual and social awakening. Duff’s method — preaching Christ through education — became a model for future missionaries and educators across Asia and Africa.

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Heart for Missions

Dr. Duff’s passion for missions was unquenchable. After years in India, he often traveled across America, Europe, and Africa, stirring churches to support missionary work.

One powerful moment from his life shows his heart for India:

Once, during an appeal in Scotland for missionaries to India, no one responded. Suddenly, Dr. Duff collapsed from a heart attack. Doctors urged him to rest, but he stood again at the pulpit, weak yet determined, and said:

“When Queen Victoria calls for volunteers to India, hundreds of young men respond. But when King Jesus calls, no one goes.”

Then he added with tears,

“Very well, then aged though I am, I will go back to India. I can lie down on the banks of the Ganges and die there, so that the people of India may know there was one man in Scotland who loved them.”

At that moment, the congregation broke down in tears, and many young men cried out, “I will go! I will go!”

This single moment inspired an entire generation of missionaries.

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Later Life and Legacy

Before his home call in 1878, Dr. Duff had earned thousands of souls for Christ and trained hundreds of ministers for the mission field. His influence extended far beyond India — across continents, he awakened the global Church to the urgency of missions.

He was not only a missionary but also a visionary educator, reformer, and pioneer who showed that true transformation begins with the renewal of the mind through the truth of God’s Word.

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🕊️ “Education without Christ is like light without the sun.”
Dr. Alexander Duff lived and died proclaiming that Christ-centered education is the key to transforming nations — a legacy that still shines bright in India and beyond.

Biography

Full Name: Rev. Lars Peter Larsen
Birth: November 8, 1862
Death: June 23, 1940
Native Place: Barse
Country: Denmark
Place of Vision: India

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Early Life and Education

Lars Peter Larsen was born on November 8, 1862, in Barse, Denmark. From his early years, he showed a deep love for knowledge and faith. He was known for his disciplined mind, humble heart, and desire to study the Scriptures.

As he grew up, his interest in theology and languages deepened. He later joined the Danish Mission Society, preparing himself for missionary service. His heart was moved by the need to share God’s Word with the people of India.

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Missionary Work in India

In 1889, Rev. Larsen came to India under the Danish Mission Society. He served faithfully for over 40 years, becoming one of the most respected missionaries of his time.

Larsen was not only a missionary but also a scholar, theologian, linguist, and teacher. He was known for his balanced character — an intellectual thinker, a pietist devoted to holy living, a liberal evangelical open to learning, and a faithful Lutheran Christian.

He mastered several Indian languages and became a Tamil pundit (scholar of Tamil language). His linguistic talent made him an important figure in Bible translation and theological education.

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Service in Education

Rev. Larsen served as the Principal of the United Theological College in Bangalore, one of India’s most prestigious seminaries. There, he taught Old Testament Studies and Comparative Religion.

He encouraged his students not to learn theology mechanically, but to study it with understanding and devotion. He believed that the purpose of learning Scripture was not just knowledge, but transformation of the heart.

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Tamil Bible Translation Work

One of Larsen’s greatest contributions was his involvement in the translation of the Tamil Bible.

After discovering many errors in the Bower Version of the Tamil Bible, a team was formed to correct and simplify the translation. Rev. Larsen led this team and worked diligently to make the Tamil Bible clear, accurate, and faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek texts.

His translation was published in 1928. Although it was not universally accepted at the time, his insightful corrections and deep understanding of Scripture had a lasting influence.

Later, the Bible Society decided to produce another Tamil Bible translation that combined the simplicity and clarity of Larsen’s work with the style of the older Bower Version. Rev. Larsen also participated in this final translation project, which was completed in 1949, after his death.

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Character and Legacy

Rev. Lars Peter Larsen was a man of great knowledge and deep humility. Despite being a scholar and intellectual, he lived a simple and prayerful life, walking humbly before God and man.

His life’s mission was to make the Word of God understandable to the people of India. Through his work, countless Tamil-speaking believers could read and understand the Bible more clearly.

Larsen’s passion for truth, his love for India, and his dedication to God’s Word remain an inspiration for missionaries, translators, and theologians even today.

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🕊️ “The Bible became living and clear to many hearts because of one man’s faith and labor.”
Rev. Lars Peter Larsen’s life reminds us that true greatness lies not in fame, but in faithful service to God and His Word.

Biography

Full Name: Herman Reynolds
Birth: – (Date not recorded)
Home Calling (Death): – (Date not recorded)
Native Place: West Virginia
Country: United States of America
Place of Vision: India

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Early Life and Calling

Herman Reynolds was an American missionary who dedicated his life to serving God among the people of Central India. He was born in West Virginia, USA, and from a young age felt a deep desire to serve God in ministry.

He completed his education at Lynchburg Christian College, and later pursued ministerial training at Vanderbilt University. During his time of preparation, Herman’s heart was burdened for missions and reaching those who had not yet heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He married Mildred Pritchett, a woman who shared the same spiritual vision and passion for missionary service. Together, they joined the College of Missions, where they not only received practical training for missionary work but also served as pastors in Yale, ministering to local congregations while preparing for their overseas calling.

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Missionary Journey to India

Led by the Holy Spirit, Herman and Mildred answered God’s call to India. In 1927, they joined the Indian Mission and arrived in Jabalpur, located in Central India. After spending some time learning the local language and culture, they were appointed to serve in a new mission station at Kotmi, in the present-day Chhattisgarh region.

The people of Kotmi were simple, tribal, and largely uneducated, making it challenging to communicate the Gospel effectively. However, Herman approached them as a friend, living among them and sharing the message of Christ through love and service rather than through words alone.

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Ministry and Service in Kotmi

Herman and Mildred settled near the village in a small tent, choosing to live close to the people they served. Herman ministered among the men, preaching the Scriptures, teaching practical skills, and helping them improve their daily lives. Mildred, with a compassionate heart, reached out to the women and children, teaching them domestic skills, hygiene, and literacy.

Together, they established a school and a small dispensary, which helped improve education and healthcare in the area. Their ministry soon bore fruit — many villagers experienced God’s love and came to faith in Christ.

For a brief period, Herman moved to Mungeli, where he carried out intensive evangelistic work among the Satnami people, a large community group in that region. Later, he returned to Kotmi to continue his missionary activities, strengthening the local believers and training new disciples.

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A Life Compelled by Christ’s Love

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ compels us.”
Herman Reynolds truly lived by this verse. His deep love for God and for people drove him to serve tirelessly, both in India and in America.

Even during his short furloughs back in the United States, Herman continued to serve the Lord. He worked as a chaplain in Minnesota, sharing God’s Word and inspiring believers at the Church of America with his faith-filled sermons and humble spirit.

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Legacy

Herman Reynolds’ life stands as a testimony of faith, courage, and obedience. Together with his wife Mildred, he helped transform lives in remote parts of India through education, medical care, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Their work among the tribal communities of Central India laid a strong foundation for future Christian missions in that region. The seeds they planted in love continue to bear fruit even today, reminding us that when God calls, He also equips and sustains His servants.

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🕊️ “The greatest call in life is to serve others in the name of Christ.” — The life of Herman Reynolds beautifully reflected this truth.