Fight, Finish, Firmly Hold

James Hudson Taylor (1832 – 1905) was a British Protestant Christian missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission (now OMF International).

Taylor spent 51 years in China. The society that he began was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to the country who began 125 schools. The schools directly resulted in 18,000 Christian conversions, as well as the establishment of more than 300 stations of work with more than 500 local helpers in all eighteen provinces. Historian Ruth Tucker summarized the theme of his life: “No other missionary in the 19th century since the Apostle Paul has had a wider vision, and has carried out a more systematized plan of evangelizing a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor.”¹ He is the one who famously said, “There are three great stages to every great work of God; first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”²

“I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness, which the Lord, will award me and also to all those who have loved His return,” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).