Biography

William Carey was a man with a heart for missions. Born in England in 1761, Carey would undertake many endeavors, including shoemaker, teacher, preacher, author, translator, and missionary. Joining the Baptist church, he encouraged the church to be zealous for mission work. Having written a pamphlet titled An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of Heathens, he laid the challenge of supporting world missions at the church's doorstep. In order to practice what he preached, he moved his family to India, where he stayed for the last 41 years of his life. Not only did he preach the Good News, but labored for social justice among the underprivileged. He translated the scriptures into several languages. His passion led to the founding of the English Baptist Missionary Society, which has missions and ministries in 30 countries around the world. Carey's death in 1834 did not end his dream of missions, but he was able to see the planting of fields to be harvested for decades to come.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer