new christian prayer church

Missionary Biography

Full Name: Green Lawrence Wharton
Birthplace: Indiana, United States of America
Date of Birth: June 17, 1847
Date of Death: November 4, 1906

Personal Testimony:
Green Lawrence Wharton was one of the first pioneer missionaries from the “Disciples of Christ” organization to serve in India. He was born into a humble farming family in Indiana, with very few chances for formal education. Even as a young man, Wharton was deeply zealous for God. Before finishing college, he began to preach about Christ with great passion. Later, he joined Bethany College to receive ministry training and afterward served as a pastor in Buffalo.

During that time, two Christian mission societies — the Foreign Christian Missionary Society and the Christian Women’s Board of Missions — were planning to send missionaries to India. Wharton felt a deep burden for the people of India and offered himself to go as a missionary representing the “Disciples of Christ.”

In 1882, he and his wife arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. Later, they moved to Harda, a town in central India, where they started their first mission station. They rented a small house to live in and spent their early days studying the local language. Wharton quickly learned Hindi and began preaching the Gospel in that language.

At first, many people came to him seeking medical help, which opened doors for evangelism. Wharton often went to busy market streets, loudly reading and explaining Bible verses, and sharing God’s love with the crowd that gathered around him. His preaching, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, touched many hearts, and several people turned to the true living God.

Wharton and his wife also distributed tracts in the local language and were very active in village evangelism. They started many Sunday Schools for children so that they too could learn about Jesus. As their ministry grew, new mission centers were established in Mungeli and Bilaspur.

Wharton also worked hard for the social development of the local people. He started schools for children and helped in establishing a hospital for leprosy patients. Wanting to train more local workers for ministry, he founded a Bible Training School in Harda in 1893 and later established a Christian Bible College in Jabalpur in 1905.

Green Lawrence Wharton lived as a true disciple of Christ. He faithfully served God with all his strength until his last breath, leaving behind a strong legacy of faith, love, and service in India.

A Messenger of Hope

Henry Martyn was an Anglican priest and missionary who served in India and Persia (modern-day Iran). He was born on 18 February 1781 in Cornwall, England, and passed away on 16 October 1812 at the young age of 31.

After the death of his mother soon after his birth, Henry was raised by his father, John Martyn, who worked as a miner. During his childhood, Henry was known for his quick temper and aggressive nature. Once, in anger, he threw a knife at a friend and almost killed him.

However, after the death of his father, Henry’s heart completely changed. He joined St. John’s College, Cambridge, and became excellent in Mathematics. While at college, he came into contact with Charles Simeon, a godly and evangelical leader in the Church of England. Through this fellowship, Henry’s faith in Christ grew deeper.

He was inspired by the missionary stories of David Brainerd and William Carey, and he decided to give up his personal dreams of fame and become a missionary to the nations.

Ministry in India and Persia

In 1806, Henry accepted a position as a chaplain with the East India Company and sailed to India. He first reached Serampur and later moved to Dinapur. He quickly learned Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali, and began preaching the Gospel in those languages. With great passion, he started translating the Bible and the Anglican prayer book into Urdu, so that the message of Jesus could reach the local people, especially Muslims. He also started schools for the education of children.

In 1810, Henry traveled to Persia (Iran) to continue spreading the Gospel among the Muslim people. Even though he was weak and often sick, he translated the New Testament into Persian and Arabic.

In 1812, while traveling to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) with the hope of working among the Armenians, he fell gravely ill. After a long journey of more than 1300 miles, he passed away peacefully, trusting in the Lord till his last breath.

Henry Martyn was a man of prayer, completely devoted to God’s Word. His deep love for Jesus, his dedication to mission work, and his zeal for souls made him one of the most outstanding missionaries of his generation.