Scripture:
Mark 16:15-16
Reflection:
Little overseas missionary activity took place after the 3rd century. But this began to change in Europe in the seventeenth century. Because this became increasingly linked to colonisation, however, it was not well received or particularly successful.
It was a meeting of 12 Baptist Ministers, who met in Kettering in 1787, which really marks the beginning of the ‘modern’ missionary movement.
William Carey was born in 1761 in Northamptonshire. His father was a weaver and local parish clerk. As a boy, Carey was interested in plants, flowers, and insects, and he loved to read - especially books about different countries and places. He was fascinated by the stories of the explorers of the 16th and 17th centuries. So much so that his friends nick-named him ‘Columbus.’
At the age of 14, Carey was apprenticed as a shoemaker and it was at this time that a fellow apprentice led him to faith in Jesus. Carey read avidly as he was making shoes, learning about God and the Scriptures, and in this way, he also taught himself several languages. He became troubled that so many people would not have the chance to hear about Jesus or read God’s word in the Bible.
In 1787 (age 26), Carey addressed that meeting in Kettering, sharing with them his burden for ‘the conversion of the Heathen.’ He was not altogether well received, with one minister telling him “Sit down young man! When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without consulting you or me.” In 1792, Carey preached a sermon from which came the well-known saying ‘Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God’. That day, the ‘Particular Baptist Society for the Propagating of the Gospel’ was formed, which later became known as the ‘Baptist Missionary Society’ and more recently ‘BMS World Mission’.
Before long, Carey himself felt God call him to India and so he left in June 1793 with his wife (who was very reluctant to go), 4 children, his sister-in-law, and a Dr. Thomas, who had previously visited India. Carey’s aim was simply to spread the message and love of Jesus Christ.
Carey settled in Bengal but faced many problems. He felt very lonely at times, and was abandoned by many of his friends, including Dr. Thomas, who squandered all the society’s money. His wife suffered ill health and both she and his 5-year-old son died. Many of his translation manuscripts were lost in a fire, and for 7 years he saw no converts.
But he had such a strong faith that he continued with the work that God had asked him to do – and his legacy tells of the eventual blessing that came. He used his gift of languages to translate the entire Bible into 6 languages, and portions of the Bible into a further 29 – along with the lexicons & grammar books to go with them.
He also became, and is still recognised, as one of South East Asia’s most eminent botanists.
But stemming from his love for Christ, he was also interested in, and concerned about, social reform. So, he campaigned against infanticide (throwing babies to the alligators in the Ganges river) and child prostitution. He challenged the caste system and helped to introduce legislation against ‘sati’ (the practice of widows being burned alive on their husband’s funeral pyre). All these were common practices in Bengal at the time.
He opened the first school for girls, a savings bank for the poor, a local-language newspaper, and the Serampore College – which is now a University & Theology college.
Carey is often known as the ‘Father of modern missions’ because he was a pioneer. There was no precedent to follow in the work he was called to do. There were no mission textbooks to follow, or any experienced missionaries to show the way. But the work that he did set the pattern for much which was to follow. He believed that missionaries should be self-supporting, and stressed the need for an indigenous church, run by native believers. And the reason he set up Serampore College was to train Indian believers in theology and leadership. He also saw the need for women missionaries to reach the women in a society where they were not allowed to speak to a man other than their husband.
Carey died in 1834 at the age of 73. He never returned to the UK. Today, BMS World Mission supports some 350 workers in 30 countries across 4 continents.
What a testimony to the faithfulness of this one man.
Prayer
Lord, today we pray for the work of BMS World Mission, as they work in areas where the people do not yet know Jesus. Make yourself known to them, through BMS and directly, and give them the hope only you provide. AMEN
Songs:
May The Peoples Praise You - Keith & Kristyn Getty
I will follow – Chris Tomlin.
Food for Thought:
How are you supporting mission work in the UK and overseas?
What is God calling you to do?
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