Creativity can permeate every part of our lives and work. Sometimes we tweak old methods a little to make them new. At other times, we experiment with something completely different. Here are the true stories of five individuals who gave their lives to God, and in doing so were unafraid to explore new ideas and methods. The result: advancement for humanity and the Kingdom of God.

Pathfinder of the Seas

Matthew Maury was a man of science who believed in the Bible. Oftentimes in modern life, Scripture and science seem incompatible; but Maury was inspired by the truths he found in the Bible and did not think that these truths were irrelevant to his career.

So seriously did he take God’s Word that one day, as he listened to his wife read from Psalm 8:8 about the “paths of the seas,” he thought perhaps the seas could have paths rather than being just enormous expanses of random water. In his own words we gain some understanding of the importance he placed on the Bible: “You ask about the ‘harmony of science and revelation,’ and wish to know if I find distinct traces in the Old Testament of scientific knowledge, and in the Bible any knowledge of the winds and ocean currents. Yes, knowledge the most correct and reliable.” Being an experienced sailor (he had served in the US Navy), his conviction coupled with a dedication for discovery led him to a lifetime journey of mapping the various channels of currents in the seas and oceans.

As we now know, there are definite paths in the ocean that have become great aids to generations of seafarers – after Maury’s creative endeavors to explain this natural phenomenon. Sailors in many industries today depend on Maury’s contribution to marine navigation. By following these “paths of the seas,” ships can move more quickly from one destination to another – similar to how cars that travel along expressways arrive at destinations faster than cars that navigate through a myriad of smaller roads. He has even been called the “Pathfinder of the Seas.” The idea that one could map the oceans, something that would have seemed crazy in 1864, is now taken for granted and marine transportation depends on understanding which route to take across the vast seas.

An avid learner, Maury also used his God-given gifting to play a role in setting up institutes of education (Virginia Tech), as well as to make contributions in the field of geography.

May we also be encouraged to be inspired by the Scriptures in whatever type of career or pursuit we are called to. Our faith and our career need not be separate and there is more than one way the Bible can inform our daily life.

Blazing a Trail of Revival

Described as “the greatest evangelist China has ever known,” ask any elderly Chinese Christian in Singapore who John Sung is and chances are their eyes will light up as they recall childhood memories of the passionate preacher. In the 1930s, Chinese churches throughout China were going through a difficult time due to persecutions, the Sino-Japanese conflict and the impending rise of communism. Into this chaos steps a man who was not particularly large in size; but when he spoke, no one else had the heart to talk.

Although he observed the methods of other capable preachers, Sung was no imitator. Led by the Holy Spirit, he developed his own unique method of delivering the Gospel. During his sermon, he could be seen rushing back and forth on the platform, or even jumping over the Communion rail to stand in the aisle. Once in the aisle, he could point his finger at a face in the crowd (who could even be the church pastor!) to accuse the person of sin, after which he could jump back onto the communion rail to finish his sermon! And it was not unusual for him to break out into a Gospel song in the middle of a sermon.

In an age where there were no slide presentations, Sung was known to make use of props in his sermon. On one occasion, “he appeared carrying a miniature coffin half full of stones. These represented sins committed and the death which sin would bring. For every fresh sin committed a stone would be added to the load until the bearer was almost bowed down under the weight.”

His methods were directed to cut to the hearts of people, to make them aware of their sins. Often during his services both Christians and pre-believers alike could be seen coming forward to the altar, crying and confessing their sins. He unabashedly listed out sins like adultery, drunkenness, and gambling one by one (a practice that our politically correct modern day society would probably frown upon). After this, he would direct his audience to the Cross where all sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus.

Although his ministry lasted only 15 years and he passed away before his 43rd birthday, John Sung’s impact on the Chinese church – both in China and Southeast Asia – is still felt in conversion stories and testimonies today.

A Life in the Army

Evangeline Booth was definitely creative in her efforts to improve the lives of people through her work in the Salvation Army. As the daughter of William Booth, the co-founder of the Salvation Army, Evangeline (also known as Eva Cory Booth) grew up in the Army and went on to be one of its most beloved leaders. Moved by compassion for the poor of New York City, she undertook to create programs to feed school children, assist the elderly, provide emergency relief, supply aid to hospitals, and form bread lines. She even helped to establish hospitals for unwed mothers, a daring and compassionate move in early 19th century America.

She possessed multiple talents, such as singing and playing various musical instruments, as well as being a powerful speaker with a flair for the dramatic. She could think on her feet and was persistent as demonstrated by a story about her climbing through a window of the Army’s US office (after being locked out by rebellious colleagues) to effectively prevent a division among fellow officers.

Booth’s leadership was instrumental during World War I in providing aid to thousands of soldiers. Not someone to follow the beaten track, she even advocated for ladies in the Salvation Army to serve in Europe during World War I. These women, who served compassionately, proved to be a great encouragement to soldiers fighting on the bitter frontlines. She was recognized with a Distinguished Service Medal in October of 1919, an indication of the enormous respect for her dynamic leadership. An amazing 15 million dollars was raised by the Salvation Army in 1925 (a considerable sum during that era), certainly a testament to how much the public trusted the work of the Army during the post-war years.

Although not much is written concerning Evangeline, there should be more because we need stories of women like her who used their creative energies and talents to inspire and lead. Perhaps one lesson we may take from her is that she continuously found ways to present the Gospel during her life through speaking and works of service.

A Heart for China

When European Christians in the 19th century looked at the vast interior of China, most would probably have said, “So big! How to evangelize?” Hudson Taylor, on the other hand, would probably have said, “So big! How not to evangelize?” Where people saw no hope, he saw opportunity.

When Taylor arrived on the shores of Shanghai as a young 21 year old missionary in 1854, there were at most a few dozen European missionaries, most of whom were in the coastal urban cities of China. By the time he passed away in 1905, there were thousands of missionaries in all 18 provinces of the Middle Kingdom, many of whom were a part of the China Inland Mission (CIM), the mission organization Taylor founded. The vast increase in numbers was due in no small part to Hudson’s ministry.

Hudson Taylor was no ordinary chap who simply did what others were doing. He was gifted by God to be a pioneer. Whilst there were Catholic missionaries who dressed in Chinese clothing and even grew pigtails, this was a step too radical for Protestant missionaries at the time who looked at this with disdain. Taylor was amongst the first to adopt Chinese dressing and hairstyle. His reasoning was that in order to reach out to the people, one had to identify with them. Through such an approach, the locals would view Christianity as less of a Western religion than their own religion. Later on, he would require all the missionaries of the CIM to do likewise, and also to worship in Chinese styled buildings. All such practices are normal for the modern day missionary, but back in Hudson’s day it was against the flow of things.

Furthermore, whilst most missionaries of his day focused on the coastal cities (where living conditions were more comfortable), Hudson realized that in order to spread the Gospel effectively in China, the Gospel had to move inland, where the majority of the Chinese lived. When he started, there were 11 inland provinces that had not heard the Gospel and Taylor worked throughout his life to see that missionaries were sent to such places.

Another radical attitude he had was the way he viewed women. Contrary to the norm of the day, Taylor believed that a single missionary woman could be sent to distant missionary outposts, without the help of male companions. This is indeed a testimony of both the capability of the women and the trust Taylor placed in them.

There are more stories of how Taylor’s creativity impacted the mission field, but perhaps a story that happened after his death would best sum up the results of all this creativity:

“Just after Taylor died, a young Chinese evangelist looked upon his body and summed up Taylor’s most important legacy: ‘Dear and venerable pastor, we too are your little children. You opened for us the road to heaven. We do not want to bring you back, but we will follow you.’”

Whatever It Takes

Jackie Pullinger is not your usual missionary. But then again, with the drug addicts, prostitutes, and gangsters that she has been called to serve for the past forty plus years, she can be anything but usual.

In her early 20s, Pullinger hit one wall after another in her pursuit to become a missionary. She was either too young or too inexperienced. Finally, on the advice of a pastor, she left her home in England on a one way boat ticket to Hong Kong. When she arrived in 1966, Hong Kong’s “Walled City” was known as a lawless den for all sorts of crime and vice. But Pullinger was not one to be deterred. Unlike the usual “Walled City” missionaries who came with money and sermons for a while before returning back to the West, Pullinger approached things from a determined yet different perspective. Her day job was to teach at a primary school. But outside of that, she distributed food to the needy and assisted them to go to the hospital when they needed medical aid. She even stepped into the middle of gang fights, entreating the instigators to stop. Setting up a small youth club, the boys in it were mostly members of triads (Chinese underground societies). Gradually, as she gained their trust, she began to see them becoming Christians. Many of them began to kick their drug addictions by the grace of God, without going through withdrawal symptoms.

But not all addicts go through such an experience. Many found it difficult to quit their old habit. Over the years, her organization developed a unique way of helping addicts to overcome their dependence on drugs. Without medication, addicts are placed in a room for ten days straight. These addicts are surrounded by a group of former addicts who never leave them – and who constantly pray for them and support them. Talk about accountability. For those who go back into the habit after rehabilitation, a few more rounds of this intense cold turkey treatment are needed.

Over the past forty years, Pullinger’s ministry has become one of the most successful drug rehabilitation programs in the world. But beyond that, her life story has inspired countless others to strive for greater heights in helping those in the deepest lows.

These five individuals have impacted the lives of numerous people. Inspiration and courage often come from reading about what God has done in the life of another. So if you have an inkling of an idea for something that will benefit humanity— hey, it might just be the next big movement.

Adele Pucci is the Web Editor of the online edition of Eagles VantagePoint.

Eric Sung works as an Executive (Ministry) at Eagles Communications. He worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church with his wife, Angeline.

References:
1. Corbin, Diana Fontaine. A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury. London: Sampson Low, 1888.
2. Lyall, Leslie. A Biography of John Sung. Singapore: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd, 2004.
3. “Hudson Taylor Faith Missionary to China.” Christianity Today. August 8, 2008. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/missionaries/htaylor.html?start=1 (accessed June 25, 2009).
4. Chao, Samuel. “Hudson Taylor and Missions to China: Did You Know?” Christianity Today Library. October 1, 1996. http://ctlibrary.com/ch/1996/issue52/52h002.html (accessed June 25, 2009).
5. Steer, Roger. “Pushing Inward.” Christianity Today Library. October 1, 1996. http://ctlibrary.com/ch/1996/issue52/52h10a.html (accessed June 25, 2009).
6. “Jackie Pullinger Telling the Story.” http://www.rejesus.co.uk/site/module/jackie_pullinger/P2/ (accessed June 19, 2009).
7. Baynham, Jacob. “Hong Kong missionary uses intensive prayer to help heroin addicts.” San Francisco Chronicle. December 14, 2007. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/14/MNIKT2BIA.DTL&feed=rss.news (accessed June 19, 2009).