Hudson Taylor is often referred to as the father of modern missions. He was a missionary to China for 51 years, and founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) in 1865, which is now the modern day OMF International.
CIM brought over 800 missionaries into China, began 125 schools, established more than 300 mission stations in China and involved more than 500 locals in the work. His work in China was directly responsible for around 18,000 Christian conversions in China.
Unlike many missionaries of the time Hudson Taylor was very sensitive to the Chinese culture, while remaining zealous in his desire to bring the message of Christ to the people. He adapted wearing Chinese clothing to better affirm and relate to the people he was ministering and evangelising to.
CIM was non-denominational and accepted members from all Protestant groups. The only requirement for the recruits was that there was soundness in their faith in what they called the “fundamental truths”.
China Inland Mission was very unique in that it accepted individuals from many different vocations, which very much challenged the normal practice at the time. CIM accepted people from the working class, single women and many multinationals into the mission, which was almost unheard of at the time.
Reading about China Inland Mission reminds me a lot of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), the Christian missions group that I have been working in for the last 12 years. Hudson Taylor’s work with CIM has been talked about and featured a lot in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), but until now I have not taken the opportunity to read more about the man, or his work with CIM.
Like CIM Youth With A Mission (YWAM) is a multi-national and multi-denominational organisation that includes missionaries from nearly every country in the world. YWAM accepts people from every vocation and educational background, as long as their faith is built on the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Also like CIM the missionaries working with YWAM are called to live by faith, relying on God and His provision through His people to do the work that they are called to.
As a father of modern missions there is a lot to learn from reading what was written by Hudson Taylor.
I hope that you enjoy his book, “A Retrospect”.
You can download the book A RETROSPECT by J. Hudson Taylor here.
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