OMF celebrates 160 years of ‘making God’s name known’ in East Asia

Today marks 160 years since James Hudson Taylor founded China Inland Mission (CIM), now known as OMF International.

On 25th June 1865, the English missionary prayed for 24 workers to carry the Gospel to China. By 1939, over 200,000 Chinese people had been baptised.

The organisation now shares the Gospel in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Japan, with over a thousand staff working with 100 people groups across East Asia.

‘Unreached’

OMF Global Ambassador Dr Patrick Fung stated: “Just as Hudson Taylor was passionately focused on seeing the Gospel reach the inlands of China 160 years ago, OMF today is committed to reaching the hearts of East Asia’s unreached peoples.

“God will raise up a new generation of ordinary servants to serve his extraordinary purpose: making his name known.

“OMF carries forward the CIM’s focus and vision. It is as needed today as it was 160 years ago. We will continue until all have heard.”

‘Living for Christ’

In February, it was the 140th anniversary of the Cambridge Seven setting off to join CIM.

The group included cricketer Charles Thomas Studd, who later became a missionary in India and Africa and founded WEC International.

One of his well-known sayings was: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last”.

In a lecture delivered to The Christian Institute last year, Pastor David Campbell spoke of the group’s impact on overseas evangelism.