Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)
READ: Matthew 6
Today the underground church movement in China is the fastest growing church movement in history. Hudson Taylor was the man largely responsible for bringing the gospel message to the Chinese people.
Taylor accepted Christ as a teenager and very soon felt called to be a missionary in China. He studied medicine, sought to learn Mandarin, and trained himself to rely on the providence of God. At age 21 he set sail for China.
Hudson Taylor forged a new trail for missionaries. Unlike other missionary organizations, it was never his goal to westernize the Chinese by forcing them to trade their Chinese heritage for the gospel. Rather, he was burdened for the hearts of the Chinese people and longed for them to know Christ. His approach was radical. Immediately upon his arrival, Hudson abandoned his English attire and dressed himself like the Chinese. He wanted to learn the language, embrace the culture and tell the people about the good news of Jesus. Eventually he would establish the China Inland Mission with the goal to bring the gospel where it had never been before. He and his missionaries left the comfort of the cities and journeyed inland to bring the gospel to every province of China.
Taylor was a strict leader. He had learned early on that God would provide all he needed, and so anyone who wanted to volunteer with China Inland Mission could not expect to be paid a salary; the missionary would rely on God for support. Like Hudson, the missionaries were also required to dress as the Chinese people. Hudson was innovative in that he allowed women – single or married – to join his mission, something that he was criticized for. But the need was so great! Hudson Taylor worked endlessly and expected the same of his missionaries. He wanted people who were willing to leave the comforts of western society for the discomfort of the mission field.
When Hudson Taylor had a need, he asked God for it. When he asked for 24 missionaries to take the gospel inland, God provided. When in 1881 he asked for 70 missionaries by the end of 1884, God provided 76. When he asked for 100 by 1887, he had 102! God used Hudson Taylor and China Inland Mission to get the good news of Christ to the people of China, an accomplishment that has had colossal effect on the worldwide church.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
