Biography

– The African Missionary Boy

Full Name: Samuel Kaboo Morris
Birth: 1873
Home Calling (Death): May 12, 1893
Birthplace: Liberia, South Africa
Saved at Age: 15

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Early Life

Samuel Kaboo Morris was born in Liberia, Africa, in 1873. His real name was Kaboo. He was the son of a tribal chief and was a prince of his people. But his tribe lost a war, and Kaboo was taken as a hostage by the winning tribe. His father had to pay a large fine to free him. The first time, his father paid and saved him. The second time, it took many years, and Kaboo was beaten every day.

One day, while being tied to a wooden post, he saw a bright light from heaven and heard a voice telling him, “Run!” Kaboo obeyed the voice and escaped. The light led him safely to another village where Christian missionaries lived.

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Finding Jesus

In that village, Kaboo met African Christians who told him about Jesus Christ. When he heard that Jesus is the Light of the World, he understood that the light which saved him was from Jesus Himself. Kaboo accepted Jesus as his Savior, and his life completely changed.

Later, when he was baptized, he was given the name Samuel Morris. From then on, his one desire was to tell others about Jesus’ love and the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Journey to America

Samuel wanted to learn more about the Holy Spirit, so he decided to go to America to study at Taylor University. He had no money, but he trusted God completely. He joined a ship to America, where all the other sailors were white men who hated him because he was black. They beat him and insulted him, but Samuel never fought back. He prayed for them every day.

Soon, the sailors saw his kindness and faith. They began to change and accepted Jesus through Samuel’s prayers. By the end of the journey, the whole crew respected and loved him.

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Ministry and Death

When Samuel reached New York, he went to meet Stephen Merritt, a Christian leader. Even though Samuel could not speak English well, people felt God’s presence when he prayed. Many rich and educated people were deeply touched by his simple faith. He told everyone about Jesus and inspired many to become missionaries to Africa.

But Samuel’s health was weak. After living only five years outside the jungle, he became sick and went to be with the Lord on May 12, 1893, at just 21 years old.

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Legacy

Though Samuel Morris lived only a short life, his faith, prayer, and humility changed thousands of lives. His story has been translated into many languages and continues to inspire Christians around the world.

He is remembered as a young man full of the Holy Spirit, who trusted God for everything and lived only to glorify Jesus Christ.

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– The Angel of Kashmir

Irene Eleanor Verita Petrie was a young missionary from England who gave her life to serve the people of Kashmir and Punjab in India. She was born in October 1864 in Kensington Park, United Kingdom. Her mother dedicated her to God’s service when she was only two months old, believing that the child would one day live for Christ’s glory.

From childhood, Irene was intelligent, cheerful, and full of talent. She was especially gifted in music and singing. Though she belonged to a wealthy family and could have lived a comfortable life, her heart longed to serve others. She always dreamed of becoming a missionary and helping those in need.

In answer to that calling, she joined the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and was appointed to serve in India. She arrived in Lahore in 1893. The poverty and suffering she witnessed there deeply moved her heart. She saw many women dying due to a lack of female doctors and nurses, and she wanted to share hope and healing with them — both for their bodies and souls.

Irene’s Ministry in India

After serving for a short time in a charitable home in Lahore, Irene moved to Srinagar, Kashmir, in 1894. She was a trained nurse, and she, along with a few helpers, went door to door offering medical care, prayers, and love. She sang Christian hymns, told Bible stories, and brought joy to many suffering women. Many of them came to know the love of Jesus Christ through her gentle care.

She also helped in a boys’ school in Srinagar. When the school ran out of money, Irene painted beautiful pictures and sold them to support the children’s education. Despite the freezing cold, rough mountains, and poor health conditions, she never complained. Her heart burned with love for the Kashmiri and Afghan people.

During one of her journeys to Leh, Irene fell seriously ill with typhoid fever. Even in her sickness, she remained peaceful and faithful to God. On August 6, 1887, at just 23 years of age, she went to be with her Heavenly Father.

Though her time in India was short, her faith, compassion, and sacrifice left a lasting mark on the hearts of many. Irene Petrie is remembered as a shining example of selfless love and true Christian service.

Summary:

• Birth: October 1864
• Home Calling: 6 August 1887
• Native Place: Kensington Park, United Kingdom
• Mission Field: Punjab and Kashmir, India
• Known for: Her loving service to women and children in Kashmir

– Apostle of Chota Nagpur

Constant Lievens was a Belgian missionary, lovingly called “The Apostle of Chota Nagpur.” He was born on April 11, 1856, in Moorslede, Belgium, into a farmer’s family. The skills and discipline he learned while working in the fields later helped him greatly in his ministry among the tribal people of Central India, especially the Mundas, Oraons, and Kharias.

Lievens felt a deep call from God to serve in foreign lands. To follow this vision, he joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and began his spiritual and priestly training in Bruges. Later, in 1880, he was sent to Asansol, West Bengal, to continue his theological studies and prepare for mission work.

In 1885, Father Lievens arrived in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. He worked hard to learn the local languages and understand the life of the tribal communities. After staying for a while in Torpa, near Ranchi, he noticed that the local people were suffering terribly under the control of Jagirdars, Zamindars, and Thikedars, who exploited them through unfair taxes and land grabbing.

Realizing that the best way to show Christ’s love was through action, Lievens decided to help them fight for justice. He studied both tribal customs and British laws and began defending the tribals in court. Through his efforts, many people won back their land and dignity. This opened their hearts to the Gospel, and thousands began accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

With his strong motto, “Fire must burn,” Father Lievens tirelessly traveled across the hills of Jharkhand, preaching, teaching, and helping people. His mission grew quickly, and within two years, more than 15,000 people had come to faith in Christ. He also promoted education, justice, and spiritual growth among the tribal communities.

Unfortunately, his hard work affected his health. In 1891, he became sick with tuberculosis. After some rest in Darjeeling, he returned to Barwa and baptized another 12,000 people. But his illness worsened. Hoping to recover and return to India, he went back to Belgium in 1893, saying, “I still have much to do.”

However, God had other plans. Father Constant Lievens peacefully went to be with the Lord on November 7, 1893.

His life continues to inspire many as a true servant of Christ who lived for justice, love, and faith among the poor and oppressed of India.

Summary:

• Birth: 11 April 1856
• Home Calling: 7 November 1893
• Native Place: Moorslede, Belgium
• Mission Field: Central India (Chota Nagpur)
• Known as: Apostle of Chota Nagpur

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A Life of Mission and Service

James Calvert was a Methodist missionary from Yorkshire, England, best known for his work in Fiji. At the age of fourteen, he began an apprenticeship in printing and bookbinding, a skill he later used in his missionary work. In 1837, he joined Hoxton Theological College, but soon left when he was sent on a mission to Fiji along with John Hunt and Thomas Jagger. They arrived on the island of Lakemba in December 1838.

Biography:

• Born: January 3, 1813
• Died: March 8, 1892
• Hometown: Pickering, Yorkshire, England
• Mission Fields: Fiji Islands and South Africa

Calvert quickly learned the local Fijian language and devoted himself to living among the people, even in challenging conditions where cannibalism was practiced. He faced health issues and irregular supplies from overseas, but his wife, Mary Fowler, faithfully supported him and played a key role in the ministry.

Ministry in Fiji and South Africa

In 1848, Calvert was assigned to Viwa Island. One of the most notable results of his work was the conversion of Ratu Seru Cakobau, the king of the united Fijian islands. Calvert helped Fijians by providing Bibles and also acted as a mediator in local disputes and conflicts between locals and foreign settlers.

In 1855, he returned to England with David Hazlewood’s manuscript of the Fijian Old Testament. There, he helped produce 5,000 copies of the Fijian Bible and 10,000 copies of the New Testament. He went back to Fiji in 1861 and served until January 1865.

In 1872, he offered his services in South Africa, bringing patience and love to a church divided by racial inequality. He returned to England in 1881, revisited Fiji in 1886, and passed away in 1892.

Lesson from His Life:

God can use the skills and talents we acquire in life to serve His purpose.

Prayer Takeaway:
“Lord, help me bring peace and unity in my community and Church. Amen.”

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Life Story

Full name: William Tyndale
Birthplace: Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, England
Born: about 1495
Died: October 6, 1536
Spiritual awakening: at age 21
Life outcome: Despite many hardships, he translated the Bible into English and gave his life for that work.

Early life and calling
Exact details about Tyndale’s parents and his precise birth date are not well documented, but he is believed to have been born in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, around 1495. From his youth he loved reading the Scriptures. He studied well at Oxford University and later continued his studies in Europe, learning Greek so he could read the New Testament in its original language. Reading the text deeply changed him — not just his mind but his heart — and he became convinced that ordinary people needed to read God’s Word in their own language, English. He decided to translate the New Testament into English and to teach its truths to others.

Dangerous times
In Tyndale’s day it was illegal for ordinary people to read the Bible in English. The religious authorities forbade it, and some who resisted were punished severely. Despite this danger — and after learning that seven people had been executed for similar acts — Tyndale committed himself to translate the New Testament into English so that common people could understand the Scriptures.

Translation work and exile
Because he could not do this work safely in England, Tyndale fled to the European continent and continued his translation there. He moved from place to place as printing presses and local authorities forced him to find new hiding places. After much struggle he completed the first two printed editions of his English New Testament by 1525. Later he helped secretly ship many copies to England, often hiding them in bales and sending them by ship.

Opposition and persistence
Church leaders tried to find and burn these books, and they paid agents to seize them. But the money raised to buy and destroy the copies only helped finance more printings. Tyndale even dedicated one of his New Testament editions to Queen Anne Boleyn; a copy of that edition is now found in British collections. The clergy hated his work and plotted against him. Eventually Tyndale was betrayed, arrested, and imprisoned.

Imprisonment and death
Tyndale spent about fifteen months in prison, yet he continued translating while jailed. Finally, on Friday, October 6, 1536, he was taken out, strangled, and then burned. Reported to have spoken near the end, he exclaimed words praying for the king and for the people to have the Scriptures in their own language. He had once said that even if they burned his books he would be grateful that his work would not be lost — and indeed, only ten years after his death ordinary English people were able to possess Bibles in their mother tongue.

Legacy
Much of the language Tyndale chose shaped later English translations. About ninety percent of the words he used can be found in the King James Version published a century later. William Tyndale is remembered as a Christian martyr: someone who chose to give his life rather than abandon the cause of making God’s Word available to all. He bore great hardships and remained faithful to the end.

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