Adoniram Judson: Father of American Missions (The Maranatha Series Book 8)

Adoniram Judson is commonly called the “Father of American Missions.” This title is proper. Judson was the first minister of the gospel to depart from American shores in order to dedicate himself to the proclamation of Jesus Christ to the heathen abroad. Several aspects of Judson’s ministry earn him the position of “Father” or originator. First, Judson was a vocational minister. In other words, his financial support was raised entirely from his gospel ministry. Second, he departed from the boundaries of America. David Brainard and others were home missionaries within the known territory of the United States, but God directed Judson to leave the country. Third, Judson’s entire financial support was derived from local churches in the United States. By faith, churches chose to support a man who would represent them abroad. Fourth, Judson was the first American to accept this task of world evangelization. Though others went with him, Judson was the acknowledged leader and the one whose foreign ministry extended the longest time span. These four elements combined earn Judson the title as “Father of American Missions.” As such, Judson’s life and ministry is a pattern upon which other missionaries, from his contemporaries until the present, can look for instruction and encouragement.