faith

Life Story

Full Name: Saint Boniface
Birthplace: Crediton, England
Born: AD 675
Died: June 5, 754

Saint Boniface, originally named Winfrith, was born into a noble family in England. From a young age, he was deeply inspired by the lives of Christian monks and missionaries. Wanting to serve God, he joined a Christian monastery to study theology and Scripture. At the age of 30, he was ordained as a priest. During his years in the monastery, Boniface spent much of his time reading, meditating, teaching, and praying.

Even though he could have lived a peaceful life in the monastery, his heart longed to serve as a missionary. When he was offered the position of abbot (leader of the monastery), he humbly refused, choosing instead to take the Gospel of Christ to the Germanic tribes who had not yet heard about Jesus.

Boniface’s missionary work was not easy. He faced many challenges from idol worshippers and people who followed false teachings. Still, he remained faithful to God’s calling. He believed that true life is found in Christ alone, as written in Luke 9:24 — “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will save it.”

Boniface traveled through Frisia and Germania, preaching the Gospel and leading thousands to faith in Christ. Through his ministry, many pagans turned from idol worship, received baptism, and became Christians. His mission was not only to bring new believers to Christ but also to strengthen and organize the Christian Church in those regions. He helped restore churches that had fallen into false beliefs and disorder. He organized church councils, set clear rules for priests and leaders, and corrected wrong teachings.

In AD 754, Boniface went on his final missionary journey to Frisia with a group of fellow monks. While preparing to conduct a service near a river, he was attacked by a group of hostile pagans. They killed him and his 53 companions, making them martyrs for the faith.

Saint Boniface is remembered as the “Apostle of Germany.” His life is an inspiring example of courage, obedience, and unwavering faith in God’s call. Even in death, he showed complete devotion to Christ.

A Life Fully Devoted to God

Full Name: Watchman Nee
Birth: November 4, 1903
Birthplace: China
Parents: Lin He Ping and Nee Weng Su
Wife: Charity Chang
Salvation: Age 18
Death: May 30, 1972

Early Life and Salvation

Watchman Nee was born on November 4, 1903, in China. His mother, Lin He Ping, was raised in a Christian home, though she was adopted into a poor family due to financial hardships. At 18 years old, Nee accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, dedicating his life to God’s service. His mother, inspired by her prayers, also committed herself to support her son in ministry.

Ministry and Evangelism

From a young age, Nee proclaimed the Gospel alongside his mother in the streets. He traveled across many parts of China, preaching the Word and guiding people to Christ. Nee was known as a powerful teacher and author, writing deeply spiritual works that became influential worldwide. He also led students and young believers into Christian faith, encouraging them to live united and serve wholeheartedly.

Challenges and Faithfulness

Once, during a fire in a city, Nee and five other families were rescued, strengthening his faith in God’s protection. He spent many hours daily in prayer, relying on God for guidance and provision. Even when he suffered from severe illness while preaching in Shanghai, he trusted God and recovered through prayer, faith, and proper care.

Watchman Nee emphasized serving without pay, trusting God for provision, and giving full commitment to every ministry opportunity. He also trained other believers to continue spreading the Gospel to unreached areas of China. Despite persecution, opposition, and being imprisoned for 20 years, he remained faithful to Christ.

Legacy

Nee endured hardships, imprisonment, and poor health with unwavering faith. He passed away on May 30, 1972, at the age of 69, leaving a legacy of dedication, prayer, and discipleship. He taught that using opportunities for God’s work wisely is essential, and neglecting them results in lost blessings.

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Famous Saying:
“Use every opportunity God gives you, for delaying His work leads to loss.”

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Missionary Doctor in India

Birth: –
Home Calling: 1908
Homeland: United States of America
Place of Vision: India

Dr. C. S. Durand dedicated himself to missionary work even before completing his medical studies. After finishing his post-graduate medical training in New York, he and his wife went to India under the Disciples of Christ mission. Although their profession was medicine, they fully engaged in all aspects of the mission, serving both spiritually and physically.

Medical Ministry in India

Dr. Durand was assigned to Harda in Central India. At first, he did not know the local language, but he opened a small dispensary and began treating patients immediately while learning Hindi.

As the number of patients grew, Dr. Durand planned to build a hospital. After trying to find land with no success, he prayed for God’s guidance. The very next day, a man offered a piece of land, and Dr. Durand accepted it and began constructing a hospital. Though small and simple, the hospital became a center for missionary work.

He also worked with leprosy patients, studying remedies to help them. While another missionary, Wharton, preached the Gospel among the lepers, Dr. Durand provided medical care and comfort. He also established a leper asylum on the outskirts of town, giving them a home and care while sharing Christ’s love.

Mrs. Durand’s Ministry

Mrs. Durand managed the boys’ school, teaching for several hours each day. She particularly loved her Sunday school classes for low-caste children and adults. She also visited women and girls in their homes, teaching and encouraging them in Christian faith. When Dr. Durand was away, she sometimes managed the dispensary herself.

After years of fruitful service in India, the Durands returned to the United States, continuing their ministry until the end of their lives.

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A Life of Faith and Miracles

Full Name: Smith Wigglesworth
Birth: July 10, 1859
Birthplace: England
Wife: Polly
Death: March 12, 1947
Age at Salvation: 8 years

Early Life and Salvation

Smith Wigglesworth was born in a poor family in England. Because of his family’s financial situation, he could not attend school regularly, though he learned to sign his name as he grew older. At the age of eight, he attended a Gospel meeting with his grandmother and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. From that moment, he felt a strong desire to lead others to Christ, starting with his own mother.

In 1882, he married Polly, a devoted Christian. Through her, Smith learned to read the Bible properly. Despite having a stammer, which sometimes made it difficult for people to listen to his preaching, he faithfully began teaching children and families, sharing Bible stories and leading them to salvation.

Ministry and Miracles

Smith prayed earnestly, asking God to use him despite his speech difficulty. God answered, filling him with the Holy Spirit and empowering him to preach boldly. Many witnessed miracles through his ministry. People were healed of sickness, and those possessed by evil spirits were set free.

Once, while traveling on a bus, he loudly preached the Gospel. Everyone listening was deeply moved, some even weeping in repentance. He would pray for them personally, showing God’s love and compassion. Smith lived simply, giving up worldly comforts to serve God fully.

He was deeply disciplined in prayer and Bible reading, saying that he could not survive even 15 minutes without reading the Bible or 30 minutes without praying. On one journey, he met a sick mother and her child. When they asked for medicine, he took out his Bible, read Scripture, and prayed for them. They were instantly healed, and he continued leading many to Christ in similar ways.

Faith and Longevity

In 1913, his wife unexpectedly passed away while preaching at a New Year’s service. Smith prayed earnestly, submitting her life to God, and peacefully continued his ministry. Even in his 72nd year, he asked God for more time to serve, and God granted him 15 more years of fruitful ministry.

Smith Wigglesworth devoted himself to spreading the Gospel, teaching believers, and encouraging unity among Christians. His life was marked by faith, prayer, and miracles, and he relied entirely on God rather than his own strength.

He lived a long and victorious life of 88 years, serving God faithfully until March 12, 1947, when he went to be with the Lord.

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Famous Saying:
“Faith in God and obedience to His Word can move mountains and bring miracles.”

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Missionary to the New Hebrides

Full Name: John Gibson Paton
Birth: May 24, 1824
Birthplace: Scotland
Parents: James Paton and Janet Paton
Wife: English
Death: January 28, 1907
Age at Conversion: 12 years

Early Life and Calling

John Paton was born into a devout Christian family in Scotland. His father, a small businessman, lived a holy life and spent much time in prayer. Inspired by his father’s example, John accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 12. While helping his father in business, he studied Greek and Latin, and later pursued theological studies to serve God.

Missionary Vision and Preparation

Paton had a heart for the lost. He longed to take the Gospel to places where people had never heard of Christ. He prayed earnestly for guidance and became aware of the spiritual needs of the New Hebrides islands, where tribal cannibals lived. Though warned that the people might kill him, he boldly trusted God, saying that even if he died, his body would not matter as long as he lived for Christ.

Missionary Work in the New Hebrides

In 1857, at the age of 33, John Paton and his wife sailed to the Tana Island. The island was inhabited by many warring tribes who practiced cannibalism. Paton faced extreme danger but pressed on, showing Christ’s love with patience and courage.

The people followed many superstitions and practiced rituals, but Paton began to teach them about Jesus using gestures and simple communication since he did not know their language at first. Over time, he learned the local languages and continued his work. Many attempts on his life were thwarted, and God protected him repeatedly.

Later, he also went to Aneityum Island, learning the language and ministering diligently. The people there lived primitively, worshipped snakes, and offered their children as sacrifices. Through prayer, teaching, and patient service, Paton led them to accept Christ as their Savior. Even local chiefs, like Namakai, were converted, which influenced the entire community. Eventually, the whole island population embraced Christianity.

Challenges and Achievements

Paton faced personal tragedy when his wife and child died due to illness. Despite his grief and ongoing health struggles, he continued his work, translating the New Testament into the Aneityum language in 1899. Even in his later years, he traveled, wrote letters, visited homes, and worked on Bible translation tirelessly, often working late into the night.

John Paton’s life was marked by constant service to God. He continued his ministry until his final breath, leaving a legacy of courage, faith, and devotion. He passed away on January 28, 1907, at the age of 83.

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Famous Saying:
“The Lord is supporting me; wherever His presence is not, my mind would falter.”