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William Carey
William Carey has been called the "Father of Modern Missions." This uneducated servant of God transcended adversity, translated the Bible into Indian languages, founded an important college and scores of schools.
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Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things For God. --William
Carey "Deathless Sermon" (May 31, 1792)
It is often difficult for us to believe that in the late 18th century
the majority of Protestant churches had very little interest in missionary
outreach. Jesus' command to go to all nations was for the generation of
apostles, they thought.
The Moravians had launched many courageous missionary efforts. Inspired
by these, William Carey urged his fellow Baptist ministers in England
to form a missionary society. At first there was little interest. On one
occasion an older pastor sneered at his appeal, saying, "Young man, sit
down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, he'll do it without consulting
you or me."
Carey persisted. In 1792 he wrote his "Inquiry Into the Obligation of
Christians" that became almost a charter for modern missions. A society
was formed to send missionaries abroad. Carey was appointed one of the
first. He would go to India for the next 40 years, not returning home
even once.
But before he left, Carey preached what has become known as his "Deathless
Sermon" to a Baptist meeting in Nottingham, England, based largely on
Isaiah 54:2-3, a sermon that climaxed with the "Expect great things" saying.
It became a kind of motto for Carey's subsequent ministry which included
translating the Bible into over 34 languages, and it continues as a watchword
for those whose hearts burn to see the Gospel of Jesus offered to all
the people on the earth.
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