Biography

Read inspiring Christian Biography in Telugu & English. Discover life stories of pastors, missionaries, and believers who lived with faith, dedication, and courage.

Charles Finney

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Full Name: Charles Grandison Finney

Birthplace: Warren, Connecticut, USA

Parents: Sylvester Finney & Mrs. Finney

Born: August 29, 1792

Died: August 16, 1875

Salvation Experience: At the age of 29

Impact of Ministry: More than 500,000 souls were saved through his Spirit-filled revival ministry, especially in England.

Early Life

Charles finny Grandison Finney was born on August 29, 1792, in Warren, Connecticut. His father, Sylvester Finney, served in the military. When Charles was only two years old, the family moved to a wilderness region called Bonnedah in New York. The area was barren—lacking culture, education, and spiritual guidance. Growing up in such an environment, young Finney lived according to his own ways, without spiritual influence.

By the age of 16, he completed his basic schooling and, at 20, began working as a teacher. A lover of learning, Finney went on to study Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

Journey Toward Faith

At 26, Finney enrolled in a college to study law. While reading legal texts, he repeatedly came across references to the Ten Commandments, prompting him to purchase a Bible. The deeper he read, the more he felt a spiritual hunger stirring within him.

Whenever he encountered difficult passages, he discussed them earnestly with his church pastor.

One day, upon realizing that life continues after death, Finney trembled:
“I am not prepared for that life. If I die now, I will surely be condemned.”

This fear pushed him to seek answers to life’s deepest questions:

  • What is sin?
  • What is repentance?
  • What does true faith mean?

As he spent long hours in prayer and Scripture, he discovered that the root of his sin was pride. One day, while praying, the Holy Spirit gave him a vivid vision of the Cross.

He collapsed to his knees, weeping loudly, confessing his pride and sins before God. He cried out:
“Even if the whole world opposes me, even if demons surround me, I will not rise from my knees until I find peace with God!”

From that moment onward, Finney’s heart was filled with overwhelming joy.

A Heart for Souls

Soon after his conversion, Finney developed a deep burden for lost souls. His passion for evangelism was so intense that, according to one story, on the fifth day after his wedding, his wife handed him money and a bag to go buy household items. Instead, Finney placed his Bible in the bag and went out preaching for three months before remembering he had just been married!

Revival Ministry

God used Charles Finney as a mighty instrument of revival. Wherever he preached, people were brought under deep conviction of sin. As he delivered God’s Word, the Holy Spirit moved with extraordinary power, igniting great awakenings.

Finney’s sermons pierced the hearts of listeners like arrows. He preached boldly, directly, and with a personal tone that made everyone feel as though he was speaking just to them. His messages always guided the audience toward a clear decision for Christ.

A man of deep prayer, Finney’s ministry carried a strong anointing. Whether he spoke, pointed, or simply looked at someone, people were often overwhelmed by conviction, tears, and heartfelt repentance.

Among those saved in his meetings, 145 people remained faithful until the end of their lives. Overall, it is estimated that over half a million people accepted Christ through his revival campaigns.

Finney was especially used by God in England, where his ministry sparked immense spiritual transformation.

Later Years & Legacy

In 1868, Finney completed writing his autobiography. Even in old age, he continued serving the Lord, teaching Bible and theology to students at a seminary.

On August 16, 1875, at the age of 83, Charles G. Finney peacefully ended his earthly journey and entered the heavenly home he longed for.

Famous Quote

“Even if the whole world opposes me, even if all demons surround me—I will not rise from my knees.”

Robert Caldwell

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Robert Caldwell was born on 07-05-1814 in Clady, Ireland, to a poor but God-fearing family. He began working when he was only nine years old. Even though he had little formal schooling, he received a chance to study at Glasgow University through the London Missionary Society (LMS). After being ordained, he came to Madras in 1838 as an LMS missionary. Wanting to reach the local people, he learned Tamil well and began sharing the Gospel with them.

Caldwell later became a respected Tamil scholar. His famous book, “A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Languages,” became a helpful guide for future missionaries serving in South India. He was inspired by missionaries such as G. U. Pope and Benjamin Schultz. With great commitment, he worked to uplift the poor. In 1877, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Tirunelveli, and from then on, he carried out many projects that improved the lives of the local communities.

Ministry in India

Caldwell started schools in many towns and villages and built several important churches, including the Holy Trinity Church in Idayangudi. With the support of local catechists, he planned and organized Christian communities, especially among the poor. His wife, Eliza, was a great support in all his mission work. She helped him establish schools and introduced lace-making industries to provide additional income for the people.

Caldwell was deeply loved by the Tamil people because he understood them closely. Despite his fame, he remained humble and faithful to his calling. He was a caring and watchful shepherd to the people he served. Through his hard work and example, he trained many local individuals for ministry. His lifetime of service brought positive changes to both Christians and non-Christians.

After serving for nearly fifty years, he passed away on 28-08-1891, leaving a lasting impact on the people of India.

Billy Bray

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Full Name: William Trewartha Bray (commonly known as Billy Bray)
Birthplace: Cornwall, England
Date of Birth: June 1, 1794
Date of Death: May 25, 1868

Personal Life:
Billy Bray, also called William Trewartha Bray, became well-known as a Methodist preacher who taught in a very different and lively way. He grew up living with his grandfather and worked in local mines from a young age to support himself. His early life was full of struggles, including drinking, fighting, theft, and other sinful behaviors. He even had close encounters with imprisonment and death. Despite this, he felt deep inner unrest and was often troubled by frightening dreams about death and hell.

Everything changed when someone gave him a book by John Bunyan called Visions of Heaven and Hell. Reading it deeply affected him. From that moment, he spent days and nights confessing his sins, praying, and seeking peace with God until he experienced the joy of becoming a “new man.”

Billy began sharing his faith with everyone around him, starting with his family. He joined a Christian group called the “Bible Christians” and began preaching in and around Cornwall. His unique and energetic style of teaching attracted people from all walks of life. Despite limited formal education, he spoke wisely and with great joy. He often preached while singing, shouting, or dancing. His efforts were successful, as many people embraced faith because of his ministry.

Soon, he helped build chapels in Cornwall, Carly Downs, and Carharrack. Through acts of love and sharing his faith, he expressed both his joy and devotion to God. Even though he lived in poverty himself, he happily shared what little he had with others. He could never ignore someone in need; for example, he once took in two children found abandoned in the street, raising them alongside his own children.

Billy Bray remained devoted to God throughout his life. His faith, simplicity, enthusiasm, and selflessness inspired many. He continued to serve others and lead people to Christ until his last days. At the age of 73, Billy Bray passed away peacefully, uttering his final words: “Glory.”

Augustine Salins

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Augustine Salins – Life Story

Date of Birth: 1914
Date of Death: 1985
City: Udupi
Country: India
Place of Vision: India

God calls people to His work not based on their abilities, wealth, or physical strength. Instead, He equips those He calls with the talents needed for their mission. Augustine Salins’ life is a clear example of this truth.

Born in Karnataka, India, Salins suffered from a skin disease as a young boy and was naturally timid and weak in appearance. Despite this, God called him to serve in ministry. From an early age, he wondered, “Where will I go after death—heaven or hell?” When God called him, he obeyed immediately.

Salins’ calling was confirmed in 1934 when a missionary visited India. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he preached God’s Word with power and helped many come to Christ. Wherever he went, people experienced spiritual healing and revival. His deep, heartfelt sermons earned him the title of “the Weeping Prophet of India.”

In 1971, he became the director of Ambassadors for Christ in India, dedicating his life to spreading the Gospel. Throughout his ministry, Salins prayed earnestly for God’s strength to proclaim His works, saying, “Lord, help me to receive your strength whenever I am weak and proclaim your great works to many, Amen!”

His life shows that God can use anyone, no matter how weak or ordinary they may seem, to accomplish extraordinary work for His kingdom.

Allen Gardiner

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Allen Gardiner – Life Story

Full Name: Allen Francis Gardiner
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gardiner
Place of Birth: Basildon, England
Date of Birth: June 28, 1794
Spouse: Julia Susanna
Spiritual Conversion: At age 21
Date of Death: September 6, 1851

Contribution:
Allen Gardiner became a missionary in South America, spreading the message of Christ to people who had never heard the gospel. He founded the “Patagonian Missionary Society,” trained young missionaries, and brought spiritual revival to several regions in South America.

Personal Life:
Allen Gardiner was born in England in 1794. From childhood, he loved adventure and exploration. With this passion, he joined the Naval College at a young age and became a naval officer by age 16. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant by 20 and later became a ship captain.

His mother was a devout Christian, and inspired by her faith, Allen began reading the Bible. He understood God’s love through Jesus and accepted Christ as his personal Savior while serving in the navy. During his naval journeys, he observed the lives of the people wherever his ship docked. Once, while visiting Tahiti in the Pacific, he noticed children learning about Christ, which made him realize that God wanted him to share the gospel with those who had never heard it.

Missionary Work:
Allen left his naval career and initially prepared to serve as a missionary in Africa. He learned about the Zulu people, who were feared for their cruelty, and attempted to bring the gospel to them. However, soon after arriving, a war broke out, forcing him to leave.

Believing God was calling him to South America, he traveled there with his family in 1833. Despite many challenges, he built relationships with the local people and planned to establish a missionary society. He even returned to England seeking support but faced discouragement.

Nevertheless, within three years, he successfully founded the Patagonian Missionary Society. Attempts to set up mission stations in 11 villages in Bolivia were initially refused, and when permission was granted, war and theft caused further setbacks. Allen faced failures, disappointments, and extreme hardships. At times, he felt like giving up, but he resolved to continue sharing the gospel with the indigenous people of South America.

Tragically, repeated sea voyages and harsh conditions led to serious illness, and his companions died one by one. Alone and suffering from starvation, Allen Gardiner recorded his plans for the mission in his diary but passed away on September 6, 1851.

Legacy:
Although Allen Gardiner did not live to see his mission fully succeed, his vision inspired others. News of his life reached England, which revived support for the mission. The Patagonian Missionary Society eventually became established, and other missionaries, including Gardiner’s own son, carried on his work. Many young people volunteered to spread the gospel in regions that had never heard it. Through his unwavering dedication, Allen Gardiner’s mission brought spiritual life to South America, all sparked by his desire to serve God.