missionary

Mark Daniel Buntain

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A Missionary Who Served the Poor in India

Full Name: Mark Daniel Buntain
Birth: January 26, 1923
Death: June 4, 1989
Native Place: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Country: Canada
Place of Vision: Kolkata, India

Early Life

Mark Daniel Buntain was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, into the family of a Pentecostal minister. Growing up in a godly home, he was deeply inspired by missionary stories and dreamed of becoming a missionary himself. While working as a radio broadcaster, he felt a strong call from God to leave his job and dedicate his life to ministry.

After marrying Huldah Monroe, Mark left his broadcasting career and began serving as a pastor in Saskatchewan, Canada. Later, he ministered as a missionary evangelist in several countries including Taiwan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Mission Call to India

In 1954, obeying God’s call, Mark and Huldah Buntain came to Kolkata, India, with their one-year-old daughter. They began their ministry by setting up a tent on an empty plot of land and started preaching about the love of Jesus Christ.

One day, while Mark was preaching, a man interrupted him and said,

“Preacher, feed our bellies first, then tell us about a God in heaven.”

Those words deeply touched Mark’s heart. They made him realize that people needed to see God’s love through action.

The Birth of Calcutta Mercy Mission

That powerful moment led Mark to start the “Calcutta Mercy Mission” in 1964, a ministry dedicated to feeding, educating, and providing medical care for the poor and needy.

As part of this mission:

  • He founded the Assembly of God Church School in Kolkata, which gave thousands of poor children a chance for a better future.
  • He also established a small medical clinic that later grew into a multi-specialty hospital, offering hope and healing to countless people.

Growth of the Ministry

For many years, Mark pastored the Assembly of God Church in Kolkata, which became the center for the growth of over 900 churches in North India. He also shared the gospel through radio broadcasts in Hindi, English, and Bengali, reaching millions across the region.

Even after Mark’s death in 1989 due to illness, his wife Huldah Buntain chose to stay in India and continue the mission they had begun together. Under her leadership, the Calcutta Mercy ministry expanded and now operates in over 21 countries, continuing to serve the poor with love and compassion.

Legacy

Mark Daniel Buntain’s life is a powerful example of obedience, compassion, and faith in action. He not only preached the gospel but lived it by serving those in need. His vision turned into a global movement that still touches lives around the world — feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and giving hope to the hopeless.

David Brainerd

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David Brainerd – The Weak but Mighty Missionary

Full Name: David Brainerd
Birthplace: Haddam, Connecticut, USA
Parents: Hezekiah and Dorothy Brainerd
Date of Birth: April 20, 1718
Date of Death: October 9, 1747
Born Again Experience: At the age of 21

Life and Ministry

David Brainerd was born in Haddam, Connecticut, in the United States on April 20, 1718. From his childhood, he used to think deeply about the soul and life after death. He always longed for peace in his heart and desired to reach heaven after death.

At the age of nine, he lost his father, and when he was fourteen, his mother also passed away. Becoming an orphan at such a young age, David felt lonely and sad. Yet, he stayed away from bad company and spent most of his time in secret prayer and Bible reading.

When he turned twenty-one, he experienced a deep spiritual change. He realized that salvation is not by human efforts but only by God’s grace. From then on, he dedicated his life completely to serve Christ.

Calling and Mission

David Brainerd was a man of prayer and great devotion. Many churches invited him to serve as their pastor, but he refused because his heart was burdened for the Native American “Red Indians.” He wanted to take the message of Jesus Christ to them.

He traveled into the dense forests of America and reached the tribal people after great hardship. Those people were wild and known for cruel practices, but Brainerd decided to live among them, pray for them, and preach the Gospel day and night.

Though he did not know their language, and they did not know his, he never lost hope. God provided him a translator — a man who was once a drunkard and idol worshipper. While helping Brainerd, that man heard the Gospel, repented of his sins, and became a believer. Soon, many others followed him and accepted Jesus Christ.

Life of Sacrifice

Brainerd lived in the forests under harsh conditions. Many times, he had to ride 10–15 miles on horseback just to get a piece of bread. Often the bread was moldy and hard, yet he thanked God for it. He drank dirty water from pits and slept on straw laid over a wooden board.

He had no close friends to comfort or encourage him. Whenever he felt lonely, he found strength in prayer and the presence of God. His diary tells how he prayed with tears for the salvation of souls and how God answered him with miracles. His writings still inspire many servants of God today.

Brainerd’s ministry was like a battlefield. He fought like a soldier to free people from the traps of Satan. He labored for souls with great passion, both in public and in private. Jonathan Edwards, who later wrote about his life, said, “David Brainerd is a guide to all who wish to serve God successfully.”

End of His Life

Brainerd never cared about comfort or health. He suffered from sickness and weakness, yet continued to preach. His body became very weak due to the hardships of missionary life, but his spirit stayed strong.

He once wrote in his diary, “Even if I am weak and suffer much, if I can lead many to Christ before I die, that will be worth ten thousand lives.” He also said, “If I had a thousand souls, I would give them all to God.”

Finally, on October 9, 1747, early on a Friday morning, as the sun was rising, David Brainerd said,

“Jesus has come. He delays no longer. Soon I shall be with Him in glory, praising God with the angels.”

And with those words, he peacefully went to be with the Lord.

Though he lived only 29 years, and served actively for just 4 years, his ministry impacted the world far more than many who lived long lives. His faith, prayer, and sacrifice still challenge and inspire believers even today.