biography

Hudson Taylor

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Hudson Taylor Biography

Full Name: James Hudson Taylor
Birthplace: Barnsley, England
Parents: James Taylor and Amelia Taylor
Wife: Mary Dyer
Date of Birth: May 21, 1832
Date of Death: December 22, 1905
Salvation Experience: At the age of 14
Service Achievement: Founded the China Inland Mission and preached the gospel throughout China.

Personal Testimony

James Hudson Taylor was born on May 21, 1832, in Barnsley, England. His parents, James and Amelia Taylor, were devoted Christians who dedicated him to God’s service even before his birth, believing the words of the Lord: “The first fruits belong to Me.”

From childhood, Hudson was weak and often sick, so he stayed home instead of going to school. His father taught him to read, and by the age of four, he had already learned the Hebrew alphabet. His parents raised him in faith and prayer, and as a small boy, Hudson often said, “When I grow up, I want to be a missionary to China.”

One day, he read a book written by a man named Peter Parley, which described the great spiritual need in China. That book deeply touched his heart and strengthened his desire to go there. However, at the age of 14, while attending school, Hudson drifted away from his spiritual life.

During this time, his parents continued to pray earnestly for him. One day, Hudson picked up a small gospel tract titled “It Is Finished.” While reading it, he realized Christ’s love and sacrifice, repented of his sins, and accepted Jesus as his personal Savior.

Calling and Preparation

At the age of 17, Hudson prayed and asked God, “Lord, what do You want me to do with my life?” God clearly spoke to his heart, saying, “Go to China.” From that moment, Hudson began to prepare himself to serve as a missionary there.

He studied the Chinese language, often reading the Gospel of Luke in Chinese for hours each day. He trained himself to live a simple, disciplined life — avoiding comfort and learning to do every task himself. To prepare for missionary work, he also studied medicine at college.

Even while studying, Hudson gave one-third of his income to God, walked eight miles daily to college, and ate only a small piece of bread in the morning and evening. His hardships and humble lifestyle brought him closer to God.

Missionary Work in China

In 1853, at the age of 22, Hudson sailed to China, a journey that took more than five months by ship. Though he faced many difficulties — poor health, lack of food and shelter, and language barriers — he never stopped preaching the gospel.

To reach the Chinese people effectively, he learned their language, customs, and dress, becoming one of them in appearance and life. He later married Mary Dyer, a fellow missionary who worked as a teacher in China.

Because of the harsh conditions and illnesses, Hudson’s health suffered, and after seven years, he returned to England for recovery. Yet, even while in England, his heart remained with China. He hung a map of China on his wall and prayed daily for the nation and its people.

Hudson prayed that God would send 24 missionaries to China, and to fulfill this vision, he founded the China Inland Mission (now known as OMF International). He prayed earnestly for 11 provinces and 380 million people in China.

After months of prayer, God answered — and Hudson sailed again to China with 16 missionaries. Over time, God blessed his mission greatly. Within 20 years, more than 225 missionaries had gone to China through the China Inland Mission.

Trials and Legacy

Hudson faced many personal losses during his ministry. His beloved wife and three children died due to sickness and difficult conditions in China. Later, Hudson himself suffered a spinal injury and was bedridden for months. Even then, he continued to pray for China every day.

Despite all suffering, he served faithfully for many years, leading countless souls to Christ. On December 22, 1905, in China, Hudson Taylor completed his earthly journey and entered the presence of the Lord.

Famous Quote

“God used me to show how mighty He is and how weak I am. Through His grace alone, His great works were done.”

Evalyn M. Gordon

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Evalyn M. Gordon

Native Place: Calcutta
Country: India
Place of Vision: India
Home Calling: 1908

Evalyn M. Gordon was born into a family with a strong missionary background. His maternal grandfather had served alongside William Carey in Serampore, one of India’s early centers of missionary work. After completing his studies at Serampore College, Gordon began working for the Bombay Guardian newspaper. There, he met Morton Adams, an American missionary, who encouraged him to join the Disciples of Christ Mission in 1892.

Ministry in India

After joining the mission, Gordon was sent to Mungeli, where he traveled to many nearby villages, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. He also wrote a short Life of Christ in the Chhattisgarhi dialect, which deeply touched the hearts of local readers.

Through his dedicated work, Gordon led his first convert, Hira Lal, to Christ. Hira Lal’s courage to follow Jesus despite family opposition inspired many others in the community to openly confess their faith.

Partnership in Ministry

During his growing ministry, Gordon met Anna Dunn, who later became his wife in 1896. Anna was trained in medical science and became a strong partner in his mission work at Mungeli. She cared for the sick with great love and patience, and through her medical service, many people experienced the compassion of Christ.

One remarkable story tells of a young woman with a serious tumor who was treated by Anna. The young woman’s mother was so moved by Anna’s care that she too accepted Christ. Anna also trained several young women to become nurses, ensuring that the gospel was shared every morning before beginning medical work.

Legacy of Service

During a severe famine, Gordon and Anna worked tirelessly to save the lives of hundreds of children. Together, they established orphanages, leper homes, training centers, and Sunday schools. Their ministry grew rapidly, touching many lives across the region.

After years of faithful service in India, the couple retired to the United States in 1908. Even after retirement, they continued to be active in church and missionary work, remaining true servants of God until the end of their lives.

Lulu E. Garton

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Lulu E. Garton

Homeland: United States of America
Place of Vision: India

Lulu E. Garton was a missionary from the Broadway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas, USA. She served in India from 1915 to 1921. Lulu was born to Christian parents, Alexander Hamilton and Mary Frances, who raised her in faith and the love of God.

As a child, Lulu enjoyed the mountains and loved nature. She once said, “I first breathed God’s air in the rare atmosphere of the Rockies, a mile or so higher than Denver, in a little mining center called Silver Plume, Colorado.” Her upbringing made her deeply spiritual, and at just thirteen years old, she decided to become a missionary. She felt that India was the place where help was most needed.

Missionary Journey

When Lulu finished high school and wanted to attend college, she had no money for her studies. She prayed and talked with her pastor, and soon a scholarship was provided. She graduated in 1907. Later, she continued studying at the University of Missouri, taught in a mountain mission school in Hazel Green, Kentucky, completed a nurse’s training course, and worked for three years as a private nurse.

To prepare for missionary work, she also attended the College of Missions for three semesters. In August 1915, Lulu sailed for India, where she spent six years joyfully serving God. She worked in Harda, Rath, Bina, Jhansi, and Kulpahar. Lulu gave her best to serve others, but the heavy workload weakened her health.

In 1921, she returned home for a break (furlough) and was unable to go back to India because of her health. Yet she continued to serve God faithfully in the United States. For eight years, she worked as secretary of the women’s missionary organizations in Southern California. Afterward, she cared for her elderly mother while staying active in her church and missionary programs.

Lulu E. Garton remained a dedicated and loving servant of God all her life, always committed to the mission she began in India.

Amy Carmichael 

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Amy Beatrice Carmichael

Amy Beatrice Carmichael was born into a rich family in County Down, Ireland, on December 16, 1867. At the age of fifteen, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. After her father’s death, Amy, being the eldest child, worked hard to care for her family. From a young age, she was eager to share the gospel and showed kindness toward the poor.

She started her ministry by helping the Shawlies, poor mill girls who wore cheap shawls and were not welcomed in churches. Amy rented simple tin buildings to hold Sunday services for them. During this time, she heard Hudson Taylor speak, which strengthened her desire to become a missionary. She applied to the China Inland Mission, but poor health stopped her from going to China.

Missionary Work in India

In 1893, Amy went to Japan for missionary work but had to return after fifteen months because of health issues. Still determined, she joined the Zenana Missionary Society in 1894. A year later, in 1895, she arrived in India, where she first worked with Thomas Walker in Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli).

Amy learned Tamil and chose to live like the local people. She focused on sharing the gospel with women and led many to Christ. She also formed a team of women to help spread the good news to others.

In 1900, Amy moved to Dohnavur, where she saw the sad condition of young girls, called devadasis, who were dedicated to temples and forced into prostitution. Amy began rescuing these girls, caring for them like her own children. She opened orphanages to give them love, safety, and education.

To continue this mission, she started the Dohnavur Fellowship, which helped many children grow in faith and hope. Amy also wrote and published more than 40 books.

People lovingly called her “Ammai,” which means Mother in Tamil. After a lifetime of faithful service, Amy Carmichael went to be with the Lord on January 18, 1951.

David Brainerd

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Biography

David Brainerd was a brave missionary from America who dedicated his short life to bringing the message of Christ to the Native Americans, known as the Red Indians.

Full Name: David Brainerd
Birth: April 20, 1718
Place of Birth: Haddam, Connecticut, United States
Parents: Hezekiah and Dorothy Brainerd
Salvation Experience: At the age of 21
Death: October 9, 1747

David Brainerd was born in a Christian family. From his childhood, he often thought deeply about the soul, heaven, and eternal life. He desired to live a pure life and wanted to reach heaven when he died. He lost his father when he was nine and his mother when he was fourteen, which made his early life full of sorrow. Yet, he stayed away from bad friendships and spent much of his time in secret prayer and Bible reading.

At the age of 21, he experienced true repentance and declared that he was saved — not by his own works, but only by the grace of God.

David was a man of prayer and great spiritual zeal. Many churches invited him to become their pastor, but he refused because he had a burden to preach the Gospel to the Native Americans. With strong determination, he entered the dense forests of America (the wilderness of Kaika) to share the love of Jesus with the Red Indians, even though they were known as fierce and wild people.

Although he didn’t know their language, and they didn’t know his, he kept praying with tears. God provided him with a translator — a drunkard and idol worshipper. As Brainerd preached, that man was soon touched by God, repented of his sins, and was transformed. Later, many others in that tribe accepted Christ, leaving behind their cruel habits and sinful ways.

Brainerd’s life in the forest was extremely difficult. Often, he had to travel 10 to 15 miles on horseback just to get a piece of bread. Sometimes, the bread was old and hard, yet he thanked God and ate it. He drank dirty water from pits, slept on grass laid over wooden boards, and had no friends or comforters. Many nights he spent weeping and praying alone in the presence of God.

Despite all these hardships, his ministry bore great fruit — many souls were saved. In his personal diary, he recorded his struggles, prayers, and the miracles God performed through him. That diary later inspired countless missionaries, including Jonathan Edwards, who said:

“For anyone desiring to serve God successfully, David Brainerd is a perfect example.”

David’s mission was like a spiritual battle. He fought against sin and darkness like a soldier, determined to win souls for Christ. He never gave up, even when he was weak, hungry, or sick. He often said,

“If I can bring even one soul to the Lord before I die, that will be worth ten thousand worlds to me.”

Because of his continuous hardships and lack of rest, he fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. Yet, even in weakness, he continued his ministry, praying for the salvation of others. He once wrote in his diary,

“If I had a thousand lives, I would gladly give them all for God.”

Finally, on October 9, 1747, at the age of 29, David Brainerd passed away peacefully. His last words were:

“Jesus has come; He will not delay. I shall soon be in glory, praising God with His angels.”

Though he lived only 29 years and served as a missionary for just 4 years, his impact was far greater than that of many who served for a lifetime. David Brainerd remains an inspiring example of dedication, prayer, and love for lost souls.

Legacy:

  • A man of deep prayer and faith
  • Missionary to Native Americans
  • Wrote a life-changing diary that inspired generations
  • A model of sacrifice, humility, and love for Christ