biography

George Walker Jackson

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Missionary of the Disciples of Christ

George Walker Jackson was a devoted missionary from the Disciples of Christ organization who came to India in 1880. He began his ministry by traveling through the villages around Benares and Jubbulpore (Jabalpur), preaching the Gospel. Later, he moved to Bilaspur, where he continued his evangelistic work in Harda and nearby areas.

Biography

  • Birth: –
  • Home Calling: 1924
  • Native Place: Yorkshire
  • Country: England
  • Mission Field: India

During the early years of his service, Jackson went through many spiritual and emotional struggles, but the grace of God strengthened and guided him throughout his journey.

After a short return to England, he came back to India in 1885 and began serving again in Bilaspur and nearby villages. In 1886, he married Isabelle Anderson, who became a faithful and loving partner in his ministry.

Ministry in India

George and Isabelle together moved to Mungeli, where they set up a mission station. Jackson faithfully preached the Gospel in the town’s main street, sharing the message of Christ with anyone who stopped to listen. His preaching was simple, clear, and heartfelt. He also conducted Sunday classes for children and Bible studies for young men.

Isabelle worked among the women, visiting their homes to share the Word of God. In 1890, she opened a small dispensary to provide basic medical help to the local and tribal people. She was also gifted in music and used her talent to assist in church worship and services.

Jackson is especially remembered for his ministry among the Satnamis, a tribal community that was often looked down upon and lived without any organized religion. With great courage and love, Jackson reached out to them, sharing the message of Jesus and leading many to faith.

Though he often suffered from poor health, Jackson never gave up his calling. Each time he recovered, he returned to the mission field with renewed strength and faith.

In 1891, George and Isabelle went back to England, where he continued preaching and encouraging others to support missionary work. He remained faithful to God’s calling until he was called to his heavenly home in 1924.

William Carey

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Life and Ministry

Full Name: William Carey
Birthplace: The village of Paulerspury near Northamptonshire, England
Parents: Edmund and Elizabeth Carey
Date of Birth: August 17, 1761
Date of Death: June, 1834
Salvation Experience: Accepted Christ at the age of 18

Service and Achievements

William Carey is known as the “Father of Modern Missions.”
He translated the Bible into many Indian languages and was the first person to establish a printing press in India to print the Holy Bible.

He dedicated his life to God’s service in 1779, and on November 11, 1793, he arrived in Calcutta (Kolkata), India by ship to begin his missionary work.

Carey faced many struggles and hardships in his ministry. At one time, all the Bible manuscripts ready for printing were destroyed by fire, but he did not lose heart — he translated and printed them again.

The East India Company worked against him, and even some Christian groups and his own family did not support him in the beginning. During the first seven years of his mission work, not a single person accepted Christ, yet he never gave up.

Over 41 years of ministry in India, William Carey translated and printed the entire Bible in 24 languages and the New Testament in about 40 languages.

He suffered many personal losses — his son died, his wife passed away, some of his close friends died, and he even lost one of his legs, but he never stopped serving God.

Famous Quote

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”
This statement shows Carey’s strong faith and vision to do mighty works for the Lord.

Spiritual Thought

As it is written in Psalm 60:12,

“Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”

William Carey truly lived this verse. He did great works for God and for the salvation of souls. Let us also dedicate ourselves with the same passion and commitment.
May God give us such grace. Amen.

Mary Longdon

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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.

Stanley Jones

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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.

Dr. Alexander Duff

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Biography

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

🕊️ “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.