Become a Trailblazer: How to learn from Famous Missionary

Have you dreamed of living a life as a missionary? To become a trailblazer for missions, living on the field as a woman missionary, going into the unknown to follow your calling from God. 

Cynthia Farrer became a trailblazer for all women in missions. In 1826 she moved from America to India. She was one of the first Christian women missionaries. And is said to be the first single woman to become a missionary. 

I can’t even begin to imagine what it would have been like for a woman traveling alone in the 1800s, let alone moving to a foreign country. Courageous.

But this is precisely what she did; she went to India to start a school for girls. She established the school in Bombay (Mumbai), India. The school was a success, and by the end of 1829, more than 400 girls had enrolled. 

At this time it was not common for girls to be educated in India at that time. And many of the cultural norms were against women having an education. 

Some of her students became famous women’s rights champions.

Another of Farrar’s students was Savitribai Phule, who enrolled in a teacher training program Farrer ran. Phule went on to change the history of women rights in India. If you are inspired by an amazing women, you should read more about her life and sacrifices. 

Farrar’s life impacted generations and influenced women who would change history for their culture and people. So, how can we become trailblazers in missions? 

Learning from missionary pioneers like Farrar can help us see how we can move forward with our calling as Christians. The first way to become a trailblazer is to

Pray and gather a group around you that will pray for you as well then,

Be courageous and go.

Stop thinking about excuses or reasons not to go or the problems that you might face. Be courageous and go. Just start, no one can do this but you, it’s your choice. 

It will take a sacrifice, you will leave behind the familiar. It will challenge you but if you are called then be courageous and go.

Be committed

There is not a lot of history on Cynthia Farrer but her work in India was over thirty years from 1827-1862. She was empowering women through missions and she was committed to her work. 

I am not saying you need to be somewhere for 35 years but the time you are there be committed. And be committed in the follow up of what you start. Make a promise and keep a promise. If you make a promise be sure you are 200% sure you can keep it or don’t make it. I can’t tell you how many people have been hurt by empty promises with good intentions around the world. 

Honestly, good intentions mean nothing unless they are followed up with actions. 

The next thing you can learn from Cynthia Farrer is to equip others. She started a school for girls, then started train program for women to become teachers. From there women were starting new schools around India. 

Equip others where you go. 

So many women need training, equipping, and encouragement. So, as a missionary, it should be your primary goal to equip and empower the women you are serving to the point where they will not need you. Instead of making depends who try to change their culture, food, and clothes. 

You do that by empowering the women you are working with to grow in their relationship with God.

Make it better

It’s always been my moto to leave a place better than when I came. And I try to do this where-ever I go, even an Airbnb. In the teams I train I always say “make sure you leave it better than when you came.” It can and will make a lasting impact where you go. As Christians, we are to be a light. 

A light in a dark room brings change. You can see things, read things you couldn’t before, see faces with light. If we are being the light of Christ then the places we go should be better, brighter and full of light. People should feel the love of Christ and the grace of God from you when your with them and afterwards when your gone. 

If you are wondering about the first steps of being called as a missionary check out the “Am I called to missions?” It’s an easy read and a good start.

Let us know in the comments if you feel called to missions.