David Livingston’s legacy was not just of a whole-hearted effort to reach native Africans, but also a life of deep adventure. He was as much an explorer as he was a missionary. While in South Africa, he dreamed of and eventually worked tirelessly for a “Missionary Road” or “God’s Highway” in the African Continent. He ended up exploring 1500 mile stretch of the African continent to bring the gospel to unreached peoples.

From his exploring and his acquired knowledge of the continent, he was able to speak out fervently of the evils of African slavery, which eventually helped outlaw the practice.

While we may not completely agree with all his teachings, his life of bravery and adventurousness certainly is worth imitating!

Brought by faithful hands over land and sea,” his tombstone reads, “David Livingstone: missionary, traveler, philanthropist. For 30 years his life was spent in an unwearied effort to evangelize the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, and to abolish the slave trade.

Read the whole thing.

William Carey is regarded as the “Father of Modern Protestant Missions”. For 41 years he preached the gospel to India. He is also credited, along with his team, for making the first Bengali translation of the Bible. While we do not agree with his doctrinal stance, he is undoubtedly a very important figure in the history of missions.
If you are considering the OYC, you may find his 11 mission commandments encouraging. Here are a few:

1.  Set an infinite value on immortal souls.

9.  Work with all your might to translate the Bible into their languages.  Build schools to this end.

11.  Give yourself totally to this glorious cause.  Surrender your time, gifts, strength, families, the very clothes you wear

Read the whole thing.

If you have a question for the OYC Guys, go to oneyearchallenge.org. They’d love to hear from you!

This graphic explains some of the context of behind 2nd Timothy. It illustrates that circumstances should not determine the strength of your faith!

Take a look at the full resolution.

God’s timing is not our timing. How Francis Xavier became a missionary is an inspiring example of this. When the King of Portugal, John III, asked to send Jesuits to colonies in the Orient, Francis was not slated to go. But only after one Jesuit fell ill, Francis was sent to replace him. What followed was an enduring missionary legacy with many hearing the gospel in the Philippines and Japan. While we would not agree with Xavier’s doctrinal leanings, nonetheless his life is an example of being ready to go even when one is not prepared.

…Francis Xavier, was given time only to mend his cassock before shipping out. Such was the beginning of one of the most wide-ranging and successful of missionary endeavors.

Read the whole thing.

If you have a question for the OYC Guys, go to oneyearchallenge.org. They’d love to hear from you!