Charles Stewart Thompson is remembered as the first medical missionary to the Bhils, one of India’s oldest and largest tribal communities. His work in Kherwara Chhaoni (Rajputana, now Rajasthan) reshaped the region through medical care, education, and famine relief. A man of deep faith and remarkable perseverance, Thompson dedicated his life to bringing healing—both physical and spiritual—to some of India’s most marginalized people.
Early Life and Calling
- Birth: 17 August 1851
- Home Call (Death): 19 May 1900
- Native Place: Easington
- Country: United Kingdom
- Place of Vision: India
Born into a Christian family in Easington, Charles Stewart Thompson grew up attending his local village church, which nurtured his spiritual growth from an early age. His passion for service eventually led him to pursue medical studies at the College of Islington.
Following his training, he was accepted into the Church Mission Society (CMS) and appointed as a medical missionary to the Bhils of Central India—a people group with very limited access to education or healthcare at the time.
Arrival in India and Early Challenges
In 1881, Thompson arrived at the Kherwara mission station in Rajasthan, ready to begin his ministry. His initial strategy—to use medical work as a bridge to share the Gospel—was met with resistance.
The Bhils were suspicious of Western medicine. Many believed English doctors violated their bodies, and therefore they stayed away from the mission hospital.
Realizing that formal structures would not work, Thompson took an extraordinary step of humility:
he abandoned the hospital building, sat under a tree, and treated people there.
This simple gesture changed everything.
Winning Trust Through Service
As the Bhils saw his sincerity and compassion, they slowly began to trust him. Soon, hundreds of people from surrounding villages came daily for treatment under that tree.
For the next 16 years, Thompson tirelessly traveled across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, providing medical care in remote villages, establishing clinics and dispensaries, and building relationships.
While treating the sick, he gently shared the Gospel—never offering physical care as a condition for conversion. His approach to evangelism was personal, respectful, and sincere.
He also contributed to education by establishing several schools and even published a prayer book in the Bhil dialect, helping the community grow spiritually in their own language.
Fruit That Came Slowly—But Endured
At first, conversions were rare. For years, Thompson saw little visible spiritual response. But he remained faithful, believing that seeds planted in love would one day bear fruit. Over time, many Bhils gradually began to let go of their old traditions and placed their faith in Christ.
His pioneering work laid the foundation for future missionaries who would later witness widespread transformation among the Bhils.
Heroic Service During the Chappania Famine
When the horrific Chappania famine of 1899–1900 devastated the Bhil region, Thompson rose to the challenge with incredible courage. He set up multiple famine relief centers, personally saved thousands of starving children, and worked endlessly to provide food and medical help.
In the midst of this sacrificial service, he contracted cholera. Exhausted and gravely ill, Charles Stewart Thompson ended his earthly mission on 19 May 1900.
He entered the presence of the Lord he faithfully served.
Legacy
Charles Stewart Thompson’s life was short, but his impact was immeasurable.
Although he saw only limited fruit during his lifetime, the seeds he planted eventually led to a flourishing Christian movement among the Bhils.
His ministry:
- Introduced modern medical care to remote Bhil regions
- Established schools and clinics
- Built famine relief networks
- Pioneered evangelism among a previously unreached tribal community
His successors would later reap the harvest of the work he began with humility under a simple tree.
A Life That Still Inspires
Thompson’s story is a reminder that true ministry is patient, sacrificial, and rooted in love. His legacy continues to inspire missionaries, healthcare workers, and believers across the world.