Hudson Taylor (1832–1905) is one of the most revered figures in the history of Christian missions. Known for his pioneering work as a frontier missionary to China, Taylor’s life and ministry reshaped Christian outreach in the 19th century. He was the founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM), which played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity throughout the vast and remote regions of China.

Early Life and Call to Missions

Hudson Taylor was born in Barnsley, England, to a devout Methodist family. From a young age, Taylor exhibited a passion for the Gospel. He was raised in an environment where Christian teachings were emphasized, and his personal commitment to Christ deepened as a teenager. It was during this period that he felt a calling to become a missionary.

Though the Church of England had some missionary presence in China, the vast majority of Christian efforts were focused on coastal cities, with little outreach to the remote, rural, and inland regions. Taylor’s early conviction was that China’s interior—where the Gospel had not yet been proclaimed—was an unclaimed mission field that deserved attention.

The Challenge in China

China, during the mid-19th century, was a land of great complexity and intrigue. A vast empire with a rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, it was largely closed off to foreign influences, especially by the imperial Qing dynasty. Missionaries who ventured into the country often faced considerable obstacles, including resistance from the Chinese authorities, cultural misunderstandings, and, at times, real hostility. 

In 1853, Taylor sailed to China, landing in Shanghai. From the beginning, he felt compelled to immerse himself deeply in Chinese culture, language, and traditions. Unlike many missionaries who clung to Western customs, Taylor adopted Chinese dress, learned the language, and sought to live among the people he served. This was an unconventional and bold approach at the time, as many missionaries had assumed a more colonial, Westernized way of life that distanced them from the local people.

China Inland Mission: A Revolutionary Approach

In 1865, Hudson Taylor founded China Inland Mission (CIM), a mission organization focused on spreading the Christian message to the unreached people living in China's interior. At the time, many missions groups were concentrated on the coastal cities and other urban areas where foreign influence was easier to maintain. Taylor’s vision was radically different. He recognized that China’s vast interior—home to millions of people—remained largely untouched by the Gospel.

Taylor’s vision for CIM was not only to plant churches and evangelize, but also to establish a fully indigenous church in China. He believed in training Chinese leaders who could eventually lead their fellow countrymen to Christ, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Church in China. This strategy resulted in many Chinese Christians being raised up as leaders within the church and contributing to the growth of Christianity across China.

Personal Challenges and Perseverance

Taylor’s life was marked by personal struggles and hardships. He faced financial difficulties, illness, and the sorrow of losing family members. His first wife, Maria, passed away after a long battle with illness in 1870, and several of their children also died in infancy. Yet despite these profound losses, Taylor never wavered.

In 1875, he returned to England after an extended period of missionary service in China, where he was able to raise support for the growing work of CIM. During this time, he also met and married his second wife, Jennie Faulding, who would join him in his ministry.

Taylor’s greatest personal challenge came in 1891 when he learned of the Boxer Rebellion in China—a violent anti-foreign movement that threatened the lives of all Western missionaries in the country. Despite the dangers, Taylor continued to advocate for the importance of sharing the Gospel in the interior regions, even in the face of adversity.

We believe cross-cultural training is paramount when preparing to head on the mission field. We want to equip missionaries to not just survive on the field, but to thrive, which is why we started our Missionary Training School. Click the link below to learn more about how to get involved!