evangelism

Thomas Jones – Biography

Birth: December 24, 1810
Death: September 16, 1849
Native Place: Berriew
Country: United Kingdom
Place of Service: North East India

Thomas Jones was a missionary from England, best known for his pioneering work among the Khasi tribes in Assam and Meghalaya, India. He was born in Berriew, Wales, in 1810. From a young age, Thomas helped his father with carpentry to support their family. Because of financial difficulties, he could not continue his formal education. However, he was deeply involved in church activities and began preaching at the age of 25.

Jones offered himself to the London Missionary Society (LMS) for missionary work, but his request was turned down because of his weak health. Despite this setback, he was confident in his calling from God. In 1840, he helped establish the Calvinistic Methodist Foreign Missionary Society (CMFMS) to send missionaries overseas.

As he prayed and planned for his future mission, God opened a door for him to serve in North East India. Together with his wife Anne, Thomas sailed to India and reached Calcutta in April 1841. From there, they began a long and difficult journey to the Khasi Hills. With no friends or support, they traveled mostly on foot and finally reached Cherrapunji, which is about 4,000 feet above sea level.

In the beginning, it was not easy for Jones to build relationships with the local people. But he used his carpentry and farming skills to connect with them and share the Gospel in a practical way.

Ministry in India

Thomas Jones dedicated himself to learning the Khasi language, which had no written form at the time. He created a writing system for it and translated the Gospel of Matthew into Khasi. He also compiled and published the first Khasi dictionary. Through his preaching and social work, he helped start a new era of spiritual, cultural, and educational growth in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

Jones faced many hardships during his ministry. Within four years of his arrival in India, he lost both his child and his wife. Despite the pain and the challenges of the tropical climate, he continued to preach tirelessly. Sadly, he fell ill with malaria and passed away at the young age of 39 in 1849.

Thomas Jones’s work left a lasting legacy. His contribution to the Khasi language and his service to the people of Meghalaya are still remembered with deep respect. The people of Meghalaya honor his arrival day, June 22, as “Rev. Thomas Jones Day”, which is observed as a state holiday. His life remains an inspiring example of faith, courage, and dedication to God’s mission.

Lucile Geneva Ford – Biography

Birth: May 12, 1883
Death: May 25, 1973
Native Place: Nebraska
Country: United States of America
Place of Service: India

Lucile Geneva Ford was born in 1883 in a devoted Christian family in Nebraska. Her father, Fredrick Ford, served as a Sunday School superintendent in their local church. When Lucile was born, her mother, Mary Salina, dedicated her to God’s service. From a young age, Lucile dreamed of becoming a missionary in a foreign country.

While studying at Cotner College, Nebraska, she worked hard toward her goal. However, during her graduate studies, she suffered from serious health problems. Because of her weak health, she was advised not to go for foreign mission work. Instead, she served faithfully at a Christian hospital in St. Louis for some time.

Most people would have settled into a comfortable life after that, but Lucile was different. Once her health improved, she joined the College of Missions for further training to prepare herself for missionary service.

In 1915, Lucile received a call to serve in India through the United Christian Missionary Society. After arriving in India, she took charge of the Mahoba Girls’ Orphanage, which at that time cared for 95 girls. Under her leadership, the orphanage quickly grew, and within four years it became home to about 200 girls. Lucile was known for her compassion and care—she was like a loving mother to all the children. She made sure that every girl received both a proper education and spiritual guidance.

After several years, Lucile served for a short time in Harda and later moved to Kulpahar. There, she managed a charitable home for women and started a training center for girls. She firmly believed that women could earn respect in society only when they became independent and self-reliant.

During a severe plague epidemic, Lucile’s orphanage provided shelter to hundreds of people from all castes and backgrounds. She used that time to teach everyone that death does not show favoritism and that Jesus gave His life for all people equally, without caste or class.

Lucile retired in 1948 but continued to serve God faithfully. Even after returning to California, she remained active in ministry through her local church until she passed away in 1973. Lucile Ford’s life remains a strong example of dedication, love, and faith in service to God and humanity.