MISSIONARIES Throughout History
Paul the Apostle (5 Ad- 67 ad)
Paul the apostle was originally named Saul. Before his conversion to Christianity he persecuted and killed Christians. After his conversion to Christianity on the road to Damascus, he began to preach the Gospel. Acts 9:20-22 says, "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" Yet Saul grew more and more influential and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah". Paul made many missionary journeys through the Roman Empire and was the first to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles (non Jewish folk). He is the author of 13 New Testament books. Paul was arrested many times for his faith, and tradition holds that he was beheaded in Rome around 67 AD.
St. Patrick (385 aD- 461 Ad)
St. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland. He was Britain-Roman, and when he was roughly 16 years old he was sold into slavery. Patrick later escaped slavery and returned home to become a pastor. He then returned to Ireland to spread the Gospel to the Irish. The Roman Catholic Church had given up on spreading the Gospel to the Irish because of the Celtics. The Celtic people were brutal people who worshiped multiple gods. The were very violent and terrifying to outsiders. Patrick sold all his possessions to fund his journey. He then would convert the tribe leaders and then partner with them to transform the clans. He would then help start a church and then move on to the next clan of people. He gave the rest of his life to the people who enslaved him, and in doing so he planted 700 churches. His methods helped transform Ireland, and his life is celebrated on March 17th.
William Carey (1761-1834)
William Carey was a cobbler who became a Particular Baptist preacher. He then felt the call to do mission work while living in Moulton, England. He was resisted by his colleagues to do missions (at the time there was little to no interest in missions). On October 2, 1792, he founded the first Baptist mission society. He then moved to India, and at first saw no progress. With persistence he eventually saw people come to know Christ. He also translated the Bible into numerous Indian languages, thus making scripture accessible to unreached Indians. He is referred to as, "The Father of Modern Missions".
Nate Saint (1923-1956)
Nate Saint grew up in a Christian home, and was fascinated with airplanes. He served in the Army for three years; then he decided to use his aviation skills for mission work. He was sent to Shell Mera, Ecuador. He desired to spread the Gospel to a tribe known as the Aucas (now called the Waoranis). The tribe was known for their unprovoked killing of any outsiders. After a few successful air drops to deliver gifts to this tribe, Nate and four others (Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian), decided to meet with the tribe face to face. After some good initial meetings the team was speared to death by the tribe. Their efforts were not in vain. Due to the persistence of the teams family, many of tribesmen accepted the Gospel, including 7 of the 9 killers.
Dr. Paul Carlson (1928-1964)
Dr. Paul Carson took a six month mission trip to the Congo, and came back to California changed. Moved by the vast medical need in the Congo he moved his family there. He then began his work with lepers and a 80 bed hospital serving 100,000 patients. In 1964 when the political situation deteriorated, Dr. Carlson moved his family to a safer area, but he remained, thinking the rebels wouldn't bother a Doctor. However, being accused as an American spy, Dr. Carlson was taken prisoner. He was tortured, and his life was constantly being threatened. On November 24, 1964, negotiations between the American government and the rebels were halted. The rebels then massacred people,including Dr. Carlson, who allowed a man to scale a wall to escape before him. Dr. Carlson was killed as he scaled the wall. The Paul Carlson Partnership was formed in his honor, and it continues to serve people in the Congo.
Gladys Aylward (1902-1970)
Gladys Aylward grew up in London, England,and felt called to missions when she was 18. She desired to spread the Gospel to China. She was originally turned down by a missions organization due to her inadequate education. However, she was given an opportunity to partner with another missionary. She then spent her life savings to travel to Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, China. Aylward and her partner Jeannie Lawson, started an inn for travelers. They then spread the Gospel to the people who stayed in their inn. After Lawson died, Aylward continued her work, and it spread throughout the surrounding area. When war broke out between China and Japan, she aided wounded soldiers and took in orphans. When the government wanted to take her life,she led 100 orphans out of China to safety. During her journey she became ill and never fully recovered, but that didn't stop her from continuing her work. Unable to return to China, she started an orphanage in Taiwan. She worked there until her death.