As we celebrate the 160th anniversary of the inception of the China Inland Mission (CIM), the legacy of Hudson Taylor continues to shape lives. The following is a brief account of one pastor whose heart was stirred by events that unfolded more than a century ago.
I had the great fortune of interviewing a young passionate pastor. Let’s call him Pastor Li. Some years ago, Pastor Li’s mother was ill. Then she heard the gospel message and decided to accept Jesus. Her son followed. God has blessed Pastor Li’s family, with all of them coming to faith.
Pastor Li researched on the history of Hudson Taylor, and learned that the city of Anqing of Anhui Province had significant connection with CIM. The Province of Anhui is also called Wan. Before 1938, Anqing was the capital of Anhui Province (replaced by Hefei later). The first missionaries to enter Anhui were James Joseph Meadows, his wife Elizabeth Rose, and James Williamson. They began their mission work in Anqing in 1869.
On 13 November 1886, CIM China Council met for the first time in Anqing. One of the Council’s decisions was to ask God to send 100 new missionaries to China in the following year. The participants fasted and prayed for the Hundred. God was pleased to answer with a new wave of mission passion. By the end of 1887, 102 new missionaries had departed for China.
Pastor Li recounted how deeply he was touched every time he thought of God’s mighty work at that time.
To Pastor Li, some of the strategies of CIM and Hudson Taylor continue to impact the churches in China, and his personal faith journey. These include:
The importance of a clear calling and steadfast commitment
Pastor Li learned that Hudson Taylor received a clear calling to serve in China at an early age. He boldly held onto that for the rest of his life. As he began to recruit missionaries for China, he would turn away even the passionate and sincere if they were uncertain of their calling.
Pastor Li sensed God’s calling to pastoral ministry during his university years. Yet, he struggled to relinquish his profession. Even while attending seminary, doubts lingered, and he withdrew. One of his former teachers in the seminary encouraged him to pray for confirmation of his call. With renewed conviction, he re-enrolled the following year, completed his three years’ training, and entered the ministry.
Pastor Li said that Hudson Taylor’s clear sense of calling and faithful commitment set a strong example for others to follow.
The importance of equipping local believers
Hudson Taylor not only held high standards for foreign missionaries, he was also committed to equipping and developing local believers to be church leaders. This forward-thinking strategy has had a lasting impact till today.
Pastor Li wholeheartedly embraced Hudson Taylor’s strategy and has integrated it into his own ministry. With dedication, he works to develop and equip a new generation of spiritual leaders to effectively meet the pastoral needs of the church.
I am grateful to Pastor Li for his time and the insights he shared. He has followed the example of Hudson Taylor with steadfast commitment. He earnestly strives to grow and equip believers for the fulfillment of God’s mission. I believe God will use him and others like him to achieve His extraordinary purposes. May the Lord grant him continued grace in his ministry.
