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.”