Dear Subscriber,
The life of Hudson Taylor still impacts many people today, although he passed away more than a century ago. In this issue, we recall how God rewarded him the weeks before he passed. Our project updates include the production team’s upcoming relocation to Malaysia, and their requests for your faithful prayer support.
From the Heart of China to the Heart of God
Alice Yu, Communications Coordinator, Half Crown Media
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” — Revelation 14:13b (NIV)
This month marks the 121st anniversary of the homegoing of a spiritual giant. Hudson Taylor died on June 3, 1905, in Changsha, Hunan, fifty one years after he first stepped onto Chinese soil in 1854 to fulfill his heart’s desire — and God’s heart’s desire — to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Chinese people.
In 1865, Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) to carry the good news westward into the vast interior of China. It was a formidable mission. Long and perilous journeys, harsh physical conditions, the challenge of language and culture, and criticism from fellow Western missionaries created an environment far from favorable. Added to these were waves of sociopolitical upheavals —the Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864), the Yangzhou Riot (1868), and the Boxer Rebellion (around 1900). Anti-foreign sentiments resulted in the martyrdom of hundreds of missionaries and families, and tens of thousands of Chinese converts. Evangelizing China’s interior seemed daunting, even impossible.
Yet Hudson longed to see CIM workers stationed in all 18 provinces of China.
Hudson returned to China for the last time in 1905, after much-needed rest for his declining health. Over nearly seven weeks, he visited missionary colleagues, friends, and local Christians. The fellowship must have brought much joy and deep satisfaction to his weary heart.
Of all the provinces, Hunan had been the most fiercely anti foreign. CIM workers had attempted to begin work there many times, but every effort was cut short. By 1905, however, Hunan had finally opened — the last frontier of CIM’s provincial vision. On June 1, Hudson Taylor reached Changsha, capital of Hunan. On June 2, Hudson visited the land the governor intended to grant CIM for a hospital. This was a clear sign of gospel advance in Hunan. On June 3, missionaries from CIM and other societies gathered to greet him. That evening, the Lord took him home.
Dr. H. G. Barrie reflected:
Many years ago, Mr. Taylor said that when he once saw Hu nan opened up, his life work would be ended. How beautifully it had all been arranged! He… finally came into Hu nan. Here in the heart of China… he went, as Dr. Guinness said, “from the heart of China to the heart of God.” (p.10)
Mission accomplished. His heart’s desire realized. And the Lord let His servant depart in peace (Luke 2:29). God granted Hudson a tender and rewarding completion to his life’s work.
Through an ordinary man, God accomplished what seemed impossible to human eyes. Without question, Hudson Taylor is numbered among the faithful. He shows us what a fulfilled life looks like—one poured out in unreserved dedication to the Lord, even to partake in Christ’s sufferings. His sacrifices for Jesus were not in vain. His work still speaks today.
Reference:
China Inland Mission. The Story of the Last Days and Burial of the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor. [Toronto?]: [China Inland Mission?], 1905. Internet Archive. The Story of the last days and burial of the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor/ : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Project Updates and Prayer Items
Principal photography begins in two months. The producers and director, along with their families, will be relocating to Malaysia over the next few weeks for preproduction, to build sets, prepare the props and costumes. At the same time, they are actively finalizing casting, hiring the crew, securing insurance, and refining the budget and production plans.
We thank God for the collaboration and unity among the production team, cast, crew, and everyone involved in the filming. Below are specific prayer requests from our producers:
- Wisdom and discernment as we finalize key production decisions, especially in completing the hiring of cast and crew.
- Continued clarity and inspiration in creative decisions. Please pray that our director, Matt, will continue to envision the story effectively and integrate creative direction with production constraints.
- Favor and unity among the production team and all partners.
- Smooth logistics and preparation leading into travel and production.
- Health, energy, and protection for everyone involved in the project and their families, especially as some of our larger families prepare for extended stays overseas.
We have also begun planning viewer follow-up initiatives to help maximize the film’s impact in discipleship:
- Pray that the follow-up plan will effectively help viewers take the next steps in their faith journey.
- Pray for the launch events in Hong Kong and Macau on June 25 and 27, and that church and ministry leaders will work together to foster a movement of evangelism, discipleship, and missions.
Finally, please pray that throughout production, release, and distribution, we will experience God’s perfect timing, favorable circumstances, supportive relationships, and His timely provision.
June/July 2026 Prayer Meetings
Please find the date and time of our next English, German and Cantonese prayer meetings below.
English Meeting: 24 June, 2026 at 8:00 AM Pacific Time /11:00 AM Eastern Time
The Cantonese and Mandarin prayer meetings will be paused for this month. We invite everyone to join our film launch event in Hong Kong on 25 June, 2026 instead.
German Meeting: 6 July, 2026 at 20:00 Switzerland Time
Cantonese Meeting: 8 July, 2026 at 8:00 PM Sydney Time
For more information, feel free to contact us at:
- General: info@halfcrownmedia.com
- Chinese Prayer Meetings: admin@halfcrownmedia.com
- German Prayer Meeting: de.gebetskoordination@omfmail.com
- Sydney Prayer Meeting: davidttcheung@hotmail.com
