Spotlight on mission Remember, Rejoice, Renew Celebrating 150 years of God’s faithfulness OMF celebrates 150 years of God’s faithfulness this year. Seeking to glo- not to follow the God his family In 1857, Taylor resigned from the rify neither OMF nor its founder, Hudson Taylor, the mission’s goal is to knew, turned off by the inconsisten- CES to reach the Chinese in rural put the focus on God’s faithfulness. The organization looks forward to cies of Christians who claimed to and inland areas, and was convinced seeing God raise up a new generation of missionary workers in its midst. believe in the Bible yet were content a new mission was needed. While It is a special time to remember what God has accomplished through His to live as they pleased. shouldering such a burden deeply servants in reaching East Asian people, a time to rejoice in seeing God raise However, Taylor’s sister prayed for troubled him in the beginning, it up men and women through whom He has touched millions of lives for eter- him daily. In 1849 Taylor read a tract wasn’t until realizing the responsi- nity, and a time to renew commitment to Him and His mission in East Asia. that would change his heart. The bility had always been God’s and not Thank you for partnering with us over the years. We look forward to work- power of prayer became a core value his, that he took up the challenge. ing with you to see what God will do in the future. for Taylor, knowing that “the prom- In 1865, Taylor founded China ises were very real, and that prayer Inland Mission (CIM), and prayed - Wayne Matthews, Director of Public Ministries, OMF canada - was in sober matter-of-fact trans- for workers, knowing millions of acting business with God, whether people needed to hear the message on one’s own behalf or on behalf of of Jesus Christ. those whom on sought his blessing.” In 1866 the first 18 missionaries Remember In the following years Taylor joined Taylor in China, and another overcame poor health and finan- 18 in 1870. In 1886 he issued anoth- Hudson Taylor History cial troubles to complete his medi- er call for 100 workers to join them, Originally known as China Inland workers, raising $4 million by faith, cal studies, only to become a mis- and 102 joined by the end of 1887. In Mission, OMF International is and developing a Chinese church sionary to China with the Chinese 1888 the first North American party blessed with a rich and inspir- of 125,000 people. It has been said Evangelization Society (CES). He was sent. ing history. For 150 years OMF at least 35,000 people were Taylor’s immediately set out to learn the lan- The legacy of Hudson Taylor con- International fieldworkers have own converts and that he baptized guage after arriving in 1853, but was tinues; he was known as a man of worked in East Asia. an estimated 50,000. Taylor’s gift for shocked to see many missionaries at prayer right until the end. Taylor A well-known missionary in inspiring people to give themselves the time had adopted an affluent would say he as “only a servant of China, OMF (formerly China Inland and their possessions to Christ was lifestyle, and few ever travelled fur- a faithful God.” Taylor died in 1905 Mission) founder Hudson Taylor amazing. ther inland to the rural and poorer and was buried in Changsha, Hunan. served there for 51 years, estab- James Hudson Taylor was born areas. Taylor instead chose to wear CIM became known as Overseas lishing 20 mission stations. He was on May 21, 1832 into a family that the clothes of Chinese commoners. Missionary Fellowship, and eventu- also instrumental in bringing 849 often prayed that other countries While at first he was ridiculed, soon ally OMF International, established missionaries to the field (968 by would come to hear the Word of God. people no longer saw him and the and supported through Taylor’s 1911), training some 700 Chinese Yet, at the age of 17, Taylor chose message he preached as foreign. example of service and prayer. 22 • March 2015 • positive stories. Valuable work. timeline Rejoice 1866: Taylor, family and 16 missionaries sail for China. Stories of OMF Missionaries 1870-1880: 10 new workers arrive in 1875, 8 in 1876, This is Truth about sharing the gospel. We tell in Him.’” residing in nine new provinces. Report from one of OMF’s schools: people, “This is not religion, this is Thank God for the team’s willing- 1881-1884: 73 new workers “Thank you for praying for the truth!” ness to be used by God in rough cir- arrive including the famous new teachers at our school and our cumstances and that they are open Cambridge Seven. CIM key new term. We have the largest enroll- Fertile Soil to His leading in how to minister to principles are established. ment we have ever had: 183 enrolled Report from one of OMF’s schools: these people. Pray that hearts would 1886: 102 new workers arrive. and 181 of them have already paid! “One of our colleagues is work- be like prepared soil that can receive 1888: Hudson Taylor speaks Please pray for many opportunities ing in a nearby country in an the precious news of Jesus and that in Canada and the U.S. The to share the Good News. area where drug addiction is an He would bear beautiful fruit in their resulting outpouring of funds “Last night the leaders of the enormous problem. She recently lives. results in 14 new missionaries. Lao Phuan house church came to shared the response of a father to Elsewhere, we have heard that five 1900: The Boxers, a rebel visit. They told us: ‘We are having an informal youth camp she and young people accepted Jesus over group, execute hundreds of opportunities to pray with people to her team had put on: ‘What you are the summer, and others reaffirmed missionaries and Chinese Christians, including CIM receive Christ every week and some doing is like drug rehabilitation, but earlier decisions. The older teen boys missionaries and their children. weeks almost every day. One day we better. You will take care of our boys have been studying a Bible-based CIM missionary force increases prayed with two different people in and give them things to do. And you program with the team. Please pray to 933. the same day. We are not secretive have this Jesus. I’m quite interested that these seeds will keep growing! 1905: Hudson Taylor dies after 50 years of service. D.E. Hoste is appointed as mission director. 1927: Christians everywhere are persecuted, tortured and killed. CIM recruits 203 additional missionaries by 1931. 1939: More than 1,300 CIM missionaries are in China. Almost 200,000 Chinese and minority people are baptized. During and after the Second World War there are more opportunities among students and professionals. 1948: Many missions leave China due to the political upheaval and animosity towards Our 150th Christians. Renew Anniversary 1950: CIM’s presence provokes Celebration Events the harassment of Chinese Call to Action believers and CIM is forced to Special Guests withdraw. God has been faithful for 150 GO: God doesn’t call super-Chris- years as OMF ministers to East tians to be missionaries; He calls you 1953: CIM missionaries now Dr. Patrick Fung: OMF International in Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Asians. However, the task is not to live for Him in another place. For General Director, with his wife, Philippines, Thailand and finished. Here are six ways to get some, this is just for a few weeks Jennie. Malaysia. involved in with God’s work among on a short-term trip. He gives oth- Jamie Taylor: great-great grandson 1964: The name Overseas the nations. Think about how you ers the opportunity for deep impact of Hudson Taylor and a senior field Missionary Fellowship (OMF) is can serve God now and in the future. and strong relationships through leader of OMF International. adopted. OMF home councils PRAY: Commit to praying for many years of life in another coun- Hudson Taylor Legacy Series: form in several countries. More seminars studying a contempo- than 30 per cent of OMF’s a specific missionary, ministry, or try. Give God freedom to place you membership is still in Asia. people group (2 Thessalonians 3:1). overseas for as long as He chooses rary missiological issue, from both SEND: Missionaries do not just (Luke 4:43). Taylor’s perspective and today’s 1975: OMF and Borneo world of mission. Evangelical Mission integrate go overseas: God’s people send MOBILIZE: Mobilization is draw- their work. them. Intentionally send missionar- ing others into the work of building For a schedule of Celebration ies through encouragement, logis- God’s Church. Share the vision God Events taking place in Ontario and 1980: Christians with BC please visit our website at www. professional skills are now able tical support, and financial giving has given you with people you know omf.ca to work in countries closed to (Romans 10:15). (Luke 10:2). traditional missionary work. WELCOME: Canada has more LEARN: Explore and study what God’s Faithfulness 2006: Patrick Fung becomes “newcomers” per capita than any God has stirred up in your heart. OMF’s first Asian General We celebrate 150 years of God’s Director. other country in the world. You can There are excellent resources avail- help your church to reach out to your able in every area of mission faithfulness in year 2015.