Lillian Hunt Trasher (1887-1961) was a Christian missionary in Asyut, Egypt, as well as founder of the first orphanage in Egypt. She is known as the ‘Nile Mother’ of Egypt. Lillian was born in Jacksonville, Florida. she was raised as a Roman Catholic in Brunswick, Georgia. As a teenager she attended Bible college for one term. Having failed to get a job as a reporter she worked in the Faith Orphanage in North Carolina (1908-10). She became engaged to Tom Jordan. a minister. She heard a missionary talk about India and decided she wanted to work in Africa. Tom failed to share her call so she cancelled the wedding! She then taught at a Bible school in South Carolina, pastored a Pentecostal church, travelled with an evangelist and then returned to the orphanage. In 1910 after meeting Pastor §Breisford of Assiout, from Egypt, at a missionary conference she decided, against her family wishes, to go there. *Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt * Acts ch 7 v 34 was her inspiration. Liliian with her sister Jennies sailed to Egypt with less than 100 $ in their pockets When they arrived in Assiout she soon met a man seeking help for a dying woman. She went with Sela, an older woman, to help. They found a baby, the child’s dying mother and the grandmother. The mother died. Through a Translator Lillian learned the grandmother was going to toss the baby into THe NIle. Lillian defied the mission organisation and began an orphanage with the baby she named Fareida. By 1918 the orphanage family had grown to 50 children and 8 widows. In 1919 she returned briefly to the USA to raise money and prayer support from the Assemblies of God. She worked for 50 years (1911-61), without furlough, among Egypt’s orphans and other forgotten people, including the Nazi occupation during WWII. Lillian died on 17th December 1961. By this time the Lillian Trasher Orphanage had grown to 1,200 children. ‘Mama’ Lillian lies buried in her orphanage’s cemetery. The orphanage she founded still helps people to this day. Since its establishment 20,000 children have been cared for. It is current home for 400 orphans, 40 widows and 50 staff members.with their families.** They all belong to one big loving family

John Williams (1796-1839) was an English missionary active in the South Pacific. He trained as a foundryworker and mechanic. John was born in Tottenham, London. September 1816 the London Missionary Society (LMS) commissioned him as a missionary in a service held at Surrey Chapel London. In 1817 John voyaged with his wife, Mary Chawner Williams, and with William Ellis and his wife, to the Society Islands, a group of islands which included Tahiti. They established their first missionary post on the island of Raiatea. From there they visited other island sometimes with the Ellis’s and other LMS representatives. The Williams family had 10 children but only 3 survived to adulthood. They were the first missionary family to visit Samoa. In 1827 he built, over 15 weeks, a boatMessenger of Peace from local materials to take them to other heathen islands in the vicinity. He left in November and returned in February. He then moved the family to Raiatea. When they went to Samoa in 1830 he had a Samoan couple, Fauea and hs wife Puaseisei, among his crew and they proved pivotal in the mission in Samoa. They set foot on the island of Savaii at Puaseisei’s village. They met Malietoa Vaiinuupo who had sole power over Samos following the death of his rival Tamafaiga. Malietoa accepted Christianity immediately. They returned in 1834 to Britain where John supervised the printing of his translation of the New Testament into the Rarotongan language. He also published Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands In 1839 John Williams and James Harris visited part of the New Hebrides where they were unknown. They were killed and eaten by cannibals on the island of Erromango. John’s bones were shipped and buried In Apia, Samoa. A monument was erected and the 6 storey building hosing the headquarters of the Congregational church of Samoa was named after John Williams. 7 LMS ships in the Pacific named after him In December 2009 descendants of the Williams returned to Erromango to accept apologies from the descendants of the cannibals in a ceremony of reconciliation. Dillions Bay was renamed Wiliams Bay. I have included maps of the Society Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Loren Duane Cunningham (b. 1935) is the founder of the international Christian movement Youth with a Mission (YSAM)and the University of the nations. Loren founded YWAM in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1960 with his wife, Darlene, at the age of 24. They reside in on Kona, Hawaii and are members of the YWAM Biblical Leadership team. Loren’s ‘Early life’ shows he came from a family of pastors- he is the third generation. He received his own missionary call at the age of 13, He attended high school in West Los Angeles at University Highland and graduated in December 1952 While travelling in the Bahamas in 1956 Loren claims he had a vision. he describes waves on the shore lines of the continents on a world map, eventually growing bigger and bigger, covering the land mass. He then says the waves changed into young people covering the continents. This would inspire the beginnings of YSAM 4 years later. It was founded in 1960. The group’s original focus was to get youth involved in missions .Today, 60 years later, it has expanded its membership to those of older ages as well. Loren married Darlene Scratch in 1963. The history of YWAM is clearly set out on the YWAM sheet from 1960 up to 2011. In 1978 Loren co-founded the University of the Nations in Kaiua-Kona, hawaii with Howard Maimstadt. Loren was president until 2010 By the year 2000 they had 11,000 staff from over 130 countries and had become almost 50% non-Western. YWAM train upward of 25,000 short term mission ‘volunteers’ annually The Cunninghams continue to have influence on the leadership of YSAM International, holding the title of Founders of the Mission.

John Paton (1824-1907) was a protestant missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific. He brought to the natives of the New Hebrides education and Christianity. John was born on the 24th May 1824 in a farm cottage at Braehead, Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He was eldest of 11 children. His parents moved to Torthorwald in the same county. His father was a stocking manufacturer and a stocker of books- Bibles. From the age of 12 he learned the stocking manufacturing trade, working 14 hours a day manipulating one of the 6 ‘stocking frames’. He also studied for 2 hours during the alloted time to eat. He was greatly influenced by the devoutness of his father who 3 times a day went to his ‘prayer closet’ and conducted family prayers twice a day’ He felt he was called by God to be a missionary. He went to Glasgow ( 40 miles walking to Kilmarnock, the rest by train). There he undertook theological and medical studies. For years he handed out tracts, taught at schools and laboured as a city missionary. !858, 23rd March, ordained by the Reformed Presbyterian Church. On 2nd April married Mary Ann Robson. 16th April, accompanied by Mr Joseph Copeland, they set sail for the South Pacific. 5th November landed on the island of Tanna - the natives there were cannibals! The cannibals - 'painted ’ savages wore very little -the men were naked, the women wore a short grass or leaf apron. 1859, 12th February Peter Robert Robson born, Mary dies 19 days later from tropical fever. Baby Peter dies after 36 days. They were buried together and John guarded the grave from the cannibals. The grave is still accessible to this day and a plaque in 1996 was erected to mark the spot. John continued with his missionary work in spite of constant animosity form the natives. During one attack a ship arrived just in time to take him and Mr. Mrs. Mathieson to the safety of Aneityum. He then went first to Australia then back to Scotland to recruit missionaries and raise funds for the building and upkeep of a ship. 1864, 17th June, he marries Margaret ( Maggie) Whitecross. 1866, August, back in the New Hebrides, they establish a new mission station on Aniwa Island, the island closest to Tanna. They live in a native hut while they build 3 houses- i for them and 2 for orphans. They find the natives similar to those on Tanna but they continue with their missionary work. They have 10 children, 4 die early or in infancy. John learns the language and turns it into written form. Maggie works with 50 women/girls who become experts at sewing, singing, plaiting hats and reading. They expound the Scriptures They administer to the sick Send out natives to preach the gospel After years of deprivation, danger from the natives and disease and patient ministry the entire island of Aniwa professed Christianity. ( Read ‘Return to the New Hebrides’) 1899 Aniiwa N.T. printed & 25/30 islands have missionaries

William Whiting Borden (1887-1913) was a philanthropist and millionaire Christian Missionary Candidate who died in Egypt before reaching his chosen field, Gansu province in China. William was born onto a prominent and wealthy Chicago family.His father had made a fortune in Colorado silver mining. He was the third of four children. His mother converted to evangelical Christianity in 1894. She took her son to Chicago Avenue Church. later Moody Church.He responded to the gospel preaching of R.A. Torrey and prayer and Bible study became his hallmark for life. After he graduated from The Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania aged 16 his parents gave him a gift of a chaperoned trip around the world. This developed a desire to become a missionary… At a meeting In London, where R.A. Torrey was preaching, he surrendered his life for Christian service. 1905 he went to Yale University. Encouraged by classics tutor Henry Burt Wright he began daily prayer groups which within 2 years reached the entire university. 1906, at a Student Volunteer Movement convention, Samuel Marinus Zwemer impressed him with his emphasis on the open doors for evangelizing the Muslim world. William had a charismatic personality, was sociable, athletic, fun loving but also an intense hardworking natural leader. He was elected president of Phi Beta Kappa. With his own money he funded a New Haven rescue mission and worked there. He graduated in 1909 and then attended Princeton Theological Seminary (1909-12). His reputation was such that he became a board member of the National Bible Institute in New York City - at one point he was temporarily in charge of the whole ministry. He became a director of Moody Bible Institute. Aged 22 he was a member of the North American Council of the China Inland Mission ( until he applied to go to China!) His intention was to become a missionary to Uyghur Muslims in Northwestern China. He decided to first study Islam and Arabic in Cairo. He boarded with a Syrian family so that he would hear Arabic spoken as much as possible. He also spent time distributing Christian sermons written in a Koranic style. March 13th 1913 he contracted cerebral meningitis and died a few weeks later on April 9th 1913, aged 25. His mother had just arrived from the USA. After a simple funeral he was buried in the American cemetery in Cairo. On his gravestone was written Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation of such a life (words suggested by Samuel M. Zwemer who attended the funeral) Other services were also held back in the USA, Japan, Korea, India and South Africa. Legacy Borden Memorial Hospital (1918-1951) in Gansu, was founded by the China Inland Mission with money donated by the Borden family ($800,000) after the death of William. The hospital was handed over to the Chinese government in 1951. ( Read ‘Borden Memorial Hospital’)

David Brainerd (1718-1747) was an American missionary to the Native Americans. He had a fruitful ministry among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. During his short life he was beset by many physical difficulties. As a result his diary,Life and diary Of David Brainerd(1749) edited by Jonathan Edwards, he became a source of inspiration and encouragement to many Christians. David was born on 20th April 1718 in Haddam, Connecticut.He was one of 9 siblings.He was orphaned at the age of 14 when his father died, his mother died 5 years later. After his mother’s death he lived with Jerusha, one of his older sisters. in East Haddam. Aged 19 he inherited a farm in Durham but did not enjoy the experience. He returned to his sister’s. A year later he prepared to go to Yale University. 12th July, 1739, he had ‘inspeakable glory’ - a conversion experience… September entered Yale. In his second year he was sent home after a serious illness.(now believed to be tuberculosis (TB)) When he returned to Yale in December 1740 there was tension between the college trustees and their students relating to the enthusiasm of the students In 1741 a decree was passed that anyone who called staff hypocrites after a second offence would be expelled. Jonathan Edwards came to preach and David commented that one of his tutors - Chauncey Whittelsey ‘has no more grace then a chair’. He was also alleged to ask why the Rector ‘did not drop dead’. He was expelled. He apologized for the first comment but denied making the second. A recent law had been passed that ministers could only be appointed in Connecticut if they had graduated from Harvard or Yale. He had to reconsider his plans. In 1742 he was licensed to preach for a group called ‘New Lights’. Jonathan Dickinson noticed him and tried to get him reinstated at Yale but failed. it was suggested he worked as a missionary among Native Americans, supported by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian knowledge (SSPSK). He was approved on 25th November 1742. 1st April 1743, after a brief time serving a church on Long Island, he began working with Native Americans He began working at Kaunameek, a Housatonic Indian settlement. He stayed there a year. He began a school and to translate the Psalms. He then worked for a year with the Delaware Indians along the Rivernorthwest of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He then moved to Crossweeksung in New Jersey where he established a Christian community of 130 members. By November 1746 his health- a form of depression - 22 times- stopped him from working. He moved first to Jonathan Dickenson’s house. After a few months rest. he moved to Jonathan Edward’s house. 17 year old Jerusha Edwards nursed him… He managed a trip to Boston. He suffered greatly and died of TB at Edward’s house on the 9th October 1747, aged just 29. Life and Diary of David Brainerd is still in print (see Amazon flier)

Chuck Carson’s parents took him to Del Mar at the age of 12. They rented a surfboard for him and he learned to surf. On a Sunday he would go surfing and then quickly throw his Sunday Best over his shorts and leave a trail of sand all the way to church. He went every Sunday to church. He became an accomplished musician playing with the Christy Minstrels and Talk Five. He even played professional football with the L.A. Rams His mother and step father had a horrific accident on an L.A. freeway. Sitting at his mother’s bedside he promised God to come back if she survived. Her condition did improve but she died 3 months later. While in a coma she asked God to ‘save her son’s soul’. He went off to Hawaii to surf… While there a Roman Catholic woman shocked him by saying ‘God has something for you.’ She advised him to return home and get married. On the beach one day he was so drunk he fell face first in the sand. He had a vision saying ‘Come to me Chuck.’ ‘I’m not good enough,’ he replied ‘You’ll never be good enough. Come as you are.’ From that day forward life for chuck was never the same. He met Melinad (Lin) in April 1972, they married in 1974. He returned to Hawaii where he took his first unorthodox preaching assignments as Director of the Walkiki Beach Chaplaincy. He played his guitar and preached ‘scared out of his wits’ as he learned to preach before an audience. They returned to the mainland, started a family and he went to college. He was ordained and began series of commitments to preaching the Gospel ( and surfing). He served a number of churches. In 1992 he was severely injured in a crash while leading a junior high church group in a waterpark. He spent 28 days in intensive care and a year in bed recovering at home. They moved to Sacramento and for the next 14 years he was senior pastor. By ‘divine appointments’ he ended up on the beach passing out flyers when he met Michael Pless on the beach. For nearly a decade he earned his own beach walk of fame on the sands of seal Beach. *In every possible moment, he radiated love, grace and celebration. He was so jolly, the best guy EVER Michael Pless, the owner of M & M Surf School, with whom Pastor Carlson founded Hope on the Beach church in 2009. He remembers praying for a pastor to minister the souls on the beach and how they literally ran into each other one Sunday morning. God answered both of their prayers. When Chuck died in 2020 (?) surfers and beachgoers gathered on the shores of Seal Beach to give a final ’ wave’ to their beloved pastor. Nearly 100 surfers gathered on their surfboards for a @ Paddle Out’ on Sunday while other paid their respects on the beach. Michael spread his ashes into the wind and sea and Chuck was home for eternity. Lin, his wife, for 47 years, ina poignant blog thanked everyone 'I feel your love, and love you back. Chuck surfed all of his life until he could surf no more. Go in peace … and surf the Lord Chuck Carlson

Douglas Roger Scott (1900-1967) was an English Revival preacher and evangelist who devoted most of his ministry to France. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal movement in France and the main founder of the Assemblies of God in France. He was born in Essex. Douglas experienced a conversion/new birth during an evangelistic meeting organised on Whitecross Street in London. From 1925 he devoted a large part of his time proclaiming the gospel in public meetings.He based hie message on the 4 pillars of Elim Pentecostalism - Jesus saves, heals, baptizes and will return. He became an itinerant preacher in Essex and founded an Elim Pentecostal church in London with another pastor. He considers going to the Belgian Congo as an evangelist. William Burton advises him to go to France to learn French. In 1927 he goes to Le Harve in France after receiving an invitation from Helene Biolley 1854-1947), of Swiss origin, who runs an non-alcoholic bar, the Ruban Bleu . Helene had been praying for 20 years that God would send missionaries to France. In her 70s her prayers were answered. He prayed and preached with power and several people were miraculously healed. Helena asked him to devote 6 months at her mission before going to the Congo. he agreed and returned to Le Havre in 1930. He ultimately devoted the rest of his life (37 years) to spreading the gospel across France. He sparked a significant pentecostal revival and helped bring cohesiveness to the movement through the organisaion of the Assembly of God of France in 1932. Douglas, with his family, did get to the Belgian Congo in 1939. He preached in only French and Swahili. Returned to G.b in Autumn 1946. Douglas also went to Algeria. he went for the second time in the early 1950s. He returned to France where he continue his work of evangelization and edification in the established Pentecostal churches. He also went overseas. By 1965 he had heart problems but refused to retire. He continued to preach twice a day, every day. Douglas died in Chalon-sur-Saone on 15th April 1967, aged 66. Sources Assemblies of God Douglas Scott (evangeliste) Helene Biolley

Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875) was an American Presbyterian minister and leader in the Second Great Awakening in the USA. He has been called the Father of Modern Revivalism. Together with other evangelical leaders he promoted social reforms such as abolition of slavery and equal education for women and African Americans. He taught at Oberlin College, Ohio and became their second president form 1851 to 1866. In V. Raymond Edman’s book They Found the Secret(still available on Amazon) there is chapter of over 10 pages given to how he found the secret. Edman’s begins by saying that Charles’ conversion was sudden, starling, dramatic and dynamic. Edman gives Charles’ own account of what happened around the date of 18th October 1821 - it started on the Sunday and continued through to the Thursday. In the brief notes I have included from the book it says that Finney’s revival ministry in Rochester, New York, in one year 100,000 came to the saving knowledge of the Lord. Also that there was a falling off of crime and the jail was nearly empty for years afterwards. Daniel Nash(1775-1831) worked behind the scenes for Charles. Daniel would precede Charles arrival in a city. He would check into a boarding house and begin to pray fervently for the release of the Holy Spirit onto the forthcoming meeting(s). He would pray sometimes for days, even weeks until he felt the spiritual atmosphere was prepared. He would then invite Charles to come. He rarely attended the meetings instead he would be on his knees in prayer. 4 months after Daniel’s death Charles left his itinerate revival meetings to pastor a church. My other source is Wikipedia.

Andrew van der Bijl or Brother Andrew is a Christian missionary from Sint Paneras, the Netherlands. He founded Open Doors in 1955 which is noted for smuggling Bibles into Communist countries. He earned the name God’s Smuggler -the title of his 1967 book. he is known for having prayed Lord, make seeing eyes blind when stopped at the border of a communist country for his car to be inspected. Andrew was born on the11th May 1928 in Sint Paneras. He was the fourth of 6 children. His father was a poor, near deaf blacksmith and his mother was an invalid. In the 1940s he enlisted in the colonial army of the Dutch East Indies during the rebellion that would eventually form Indonesia. He was wounded in the ankle and during rehabilitation read the Bible obsessively, eventually converting to Christianity. He studied at the WEC Missionary training College in Glasgow. July 1955 visited Communist Poland to find out about the underground church. To do this he had to go on a government controlled tour. He felt he had to respond to the Biblical Commission *Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die ( Revelation ch3 v2) In 1957 he travelled to Moscow. He started to smuggle Bibles into Communist countries in a blue Volkswagen Beetle. He prayed and left them deliberately in full view. This was a fulfillment of child’s dream of *derring-do . The work of Open Doors continued to expand as it extended its network throughout Eastern Europe and Soviet Union. (Read ‘Brother Andrew’s Story’ crossing into Romania.) In the 1960s he visited China, Czechoslovakia and Cuba. In 1967 published first edition of God’s Smugglers. By 2002 over 10 million were sold, ( See Bridge Books for special 60th anniversary edition of first trip.) 1970s visited war torn Lebanon. In 1990s travelled several times to the Middle East - Lebanon and Israel Brother Andrew has written 10 books. He is now in his 90s. Is he still smuggling?

John (Jock) Troup (1896-1954) was a well known Christian evangelist fro Fochabers, Scotland. He was the son of Harry and Harriet Troup. He spent his youth as a cooper and was part of the Territorial Forces Service. He went to work in the fishing industry and then on to service in WWI. He was then converted. According to a neighbour he had enormous hands - he could pick up a fully inflated football with one hand. He had 16 inch biceps, unexpanded and the neck like a prize bull. He did not look like a typical normal preacher. Jock played a big part in the Fisherman’s Revival, also known as Jock Troup and the fisherman’s Revival. He preached all over Britain to bring people to Christ. In 2001 Revival Man, The Jock Troup Story* by George Mitchell was published followed by a film* Jock Troup and The Fisherman;s Revival.

Kenneth Nathaniel Taylor ( 1917-2005) was an American publisher and author. He is best known as the creator of The Living Bible and the founder of Tyndale House, a Christian publishing company and Living Bibles International. He was born on 8th May in Portland Oregon. Having a pastor for a father a godly mother meant he developed a solid faith in Christ and a deep respect of the Bible from a very early age. He graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois in 1938. He then attended Dallas Theological Seminary for 3 years… He received a Theology Masters (Th.M) from Northern Baptist Seminary in 1944. During the course of his studies he was offered the position of editor for HIS Magazine, headquartered in Chicago. He was a long time member of College Church in Wheaton. He worked briefly for Clyde Dennis, founder of Good News Publishers on translating Gospel tracts and distributing them overseas. In 1947 he moved to Moody Bible Institute as Director.of Moody Press and stayed until 1963. In 1954, as rode the commuter train into Chicago ,he began paraphrasing the New Testament into modern English. This was originally to help his 10 children to understand the King James version of the Bible more easily. The children were responding to what they were hearing and Ken thought he was onto something. He developed a series of books for his children to read. They were eventually published in a book called The Bible in Pictures for Little eyes. After 7 years of writing and rewriting he submitted the manuscript, called Living Letters to several publishing houses. After having It rejected by ALL of them Ken, with his wife Margaret, decided to use their limited saving to publish it themselves. Paul Benson, president of Lithocolor Press, offered to print 2,000 copies and allow the Taylors to pay for them when the books sold. In the early days it was a kitchen table operation. The older daughters typed Ken’s manuscripts, Margaret typed invoices and mailing labels and the younger children filled envelopes and packed books ordered by the bookstores. In 1962 he exhibited his self published* Living Letters* at the Christian booksellers Association convention. BIlly Graham saw the book the following spring and asked if he could print a special edition to use with his crusades - 500,000 were given away. Tyndale House Publishers (THP)was born. In 1967 the Living New Testament was published. In 1971 the complete Living Bible was released to an eager public. It was the best selling book in the USA 3 years in a row! The profits were put into a charitable trust. All royalties were donated to the Tyndale House Foundation. He stayed president of THP until 1984 when he handed over to his son Mark. He served as chairman of the board until his death. Kenneth N. Taylor died 10th June 2005, aged 88, from heart failure. Ken’s THP mission minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been venerated since early Christianity. According to Christian theology, Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit whilst still a virgin. Both the gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament, and the Quran, describe Mary as a virgin, and as being betrothed to Joseph. Over the centuries she is said to have appeared to many believers. 6 Fascinating facts found in ‘Beliefnet’ Her life was foreshadowed in the Old Testament Virgin Mother of Emmanuel Isaiah ch14 v7 2.She was a woman of great Courage and Character When the angel Gabriel came and told she was to be the mother of God’s son she showed great courage and character Luke ch 1 v38 3.Believed by many to be the greatest of all saints She was chosen and prepared by God to be the mother of his son. 4.She was Instrumental in Jesus’ Life She was there throughout his lifetime -birth to Ascension 5.The true meaning of the Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception deals with the conception of Mary herself, not that of her son. A Life of Witness Her life was to witness to the glory of her Son and we can’t help but admire her for that. I have included Bible references, 2 copies of the Magnificat - traditional and modern, information about Jewish betrothal and marriage plus Catholic Mariology I hope these sheets prove useful. Note Mary is mentioned by name on more occasions in the Quran than in the Bible.

The Annunciation also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady or Annunciation of the Lady The Annunciation of Mary is when the Archangel Gabriel visits Mary to say that she is going to have a son, who she was to call Jesus. * (See Luke ch. 1 verses 26-38) Mary is surprised because she asks, How can this be I do nor know a man? She is still a virgin who has only recently become betrothed to Joseph. The angel replies with these words The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Gabriel goes on to explain that her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, is going to give birth to a son. (This son is John the Baptist) Mary says Behold the maidservant of the Lord!. Let it be to me according to your word. Gabriel then departed. This is how Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Brief information about Mary and the Archangel Gabriel included. Sources The Bible Wikipedia

James the Less is a figure of early Christianity,possibly one of the 12 chosen by Jesus. According to translation he is called ’ the minor’, the little’, ‘the lesser’ or ‘the younger’ Jesus chose his 12 apostles Matthew ch10 v 3-10, Mark ch 4 v 13-19 Luke ch 6 v 12-16 *first Simon (also called Peter) then Andrew (Peter’s brother) James (son of Zebedee) John (Jame’s brother) Philip Bartholomew Matthew ( the tax collector) James (son of Alphaeus) Simon ( the zealot) Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him) * We have the ‘sons of Zebedee’ - John and James- he is not that James. This James is recognised as James the Great ( although that designation does not appear in the New Testament) The other James in the 12 is James the son of Alphaeus James is mentioned 3 other times In the Gospels along with the phrase Mary the mother of James. Matthew ch 27 v 56 * Mary (the mother of James and Joseph) Mark ch 15 v 40, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph) Luke ch 24 v 10 Mary the mother of James At no point is this Mary actually referred to being the mother of Jesus. In Matthew ch 13 v 55 and Mark ch 6 v 3 *he’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary his mother and his brother’s - James, Joseph, Simon and Judas This James is clearly a brother of Jesus. The experts are divided as to whether James the Less was James, son of Alphaeus OR James the brother of Jesus. Jerome concludes that James the Less, James, son of Alphaeus and James the brother of Jesus are one and the same person. Read the thoughts of Jerome, Jacobus de Varagine and Papias of Hierapolis. Modern scholars are divided, Reach your own conclusion

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. He baptised Jesus in the River Jordan. All 4 of the gospels look at the life of John the Baptist - notes used from Luke His parents were Zachariah, a priest, his mother was called Elizabeth. Zachariah was chosen to burn incense in the temple. While in the temple the angel Gabriel appears to tell him that, although he and his wife are quite old, they are going to become parents, and he is told the baby is to be called John… He does not believe and is struck dumb and can only communicate by writing on a slate. Luke ch 1 v 5-22 Elizabeth becomes pregnant and the baby kicks for the first time when Mary, the future mother of Jesus, visits her. Luke ch 1 v 39-56 After John is born his parents take the baby to be circumcised. Zachariah picks up the slate to write ‘John’ and his voice is restored. Luke ch 1 v 57-79 We now move forward approximately 30 years. John, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, is baptising people in the River Jordan calling on them to repent of their sins, saying he is the foreunner of the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Luke ch 3 v 1-18 Jesus goes to be baptised by John. John reluctantly baptises saying he is unworthy. A dove appears and a voice says You are my son whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke ch 3 v 21/2 John later tells his disciples to follow Jesus, the long awaited Messiah. John speaks out against Herod Antipas’ illegal marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife and is imprisoned Luke ch 3 v 19-20 Herod holds a party and after seeing. his wife’s daughter Salome dance offers the daughter anything she wants. After speaking with her mother she asks for the head of John on a plate. Reluctantly he agrees, Luke ch 9 v 7-9 I tell you among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Jesus Luke ch 7 v 27 Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander The Nativity (Life) of John the Baptist New Living Translation Bible - John the Baptist notes

John David Pawson (1930-2020) was an evangelical minister, writer and prominent Bible teacher based in the U.K. He was not afraid of tackling the controversial topics. All he wanted people to do was to read the Bible for themselves. He was born in the northeast in England. His parents were H. Cecil and Jean Pawson. His father was head of Agriculture at Durham University and Vice President of the Methodist conference. From childhood he had always wanted to be a farmer but by the time he had completed a B.Sc. in Agriculture at Durham University he felt God was calling him into full-time Christian ministry. He studied for an M.A. in theology at Wesley House, Cambridge. On graduating he joined the Royal Air Force as a chaplain and served in Aden When he left the RAF he served as a Methodist minister. He found he was uncomfortable with infant baptism. Following a doctrinal meeting of the Methodist church he volunteered to leave the denomination. Shortly afterwards he became pastor of Gold Hill Baptist church in Buckinghamshire. Later he moved to Guildford Baptist Church, Millmead, which helped design. Here he established a reputation amongst the evangelicals and charismatics as a Bible preacher. He began to create teaching tapes for the church’s sick and elderly members- these tapes became popular world wide. Under his ministry Millmead became one of the largest Baptist churches in the U.K… David left Millmead in 1979 and began an itinerant worldwide Bible teaching ministry. His ministry, predominantly through seminars for church leaders, took him to Asia, Australia, Africa, England, Europe and the USA. MILLIONS of copies of his teachings have been distributed in more than 120 countries. He was a writer and speaker with a reputation for urgency, clarity and uncompromising faithfulness to the Scriptures. he wrote over 80 books. His extensive and accessible overviews of the books of the Bible have been published and recorded in Unlocking the Bible, available on CDs, DVDs and YouTube. Steve Dally worked alongside him during his last ten years. In 2013 he was still preaching at events across the globe. David now in his mid 80’s had a mini stroke and was found to have advanced prostate cancer which had spread to the bones but he fortunately was not in significant pain. As his public appearances became fewer he worked on making his teaching accessible online. David died on Ascension Day, 21st May 2020 aged 90. David is considered to be one of the world’s finest biblical expositors *All he wanted was for people to read the Bible for themselves. Steve Dally Sources used Wikipedia this includes summaries of 10 of his books Christian News Read Not as bad s the truth -David’s autobiography

Adelaide of Italy, also known as Adelaide of Burgundy, (931-999) was a Roman Empress by marriage to Emperor Otto the Great. She was crowned with him by Pope John XII on 2nd February 962. She was regent of the Holy Roman Empire as the guardian of her grandson from 1991-995. Adelaide was born in Orbe Castle in modern day Switzerland. She was the daughter of Rudolf II of Burgundy. She became involved in the beginning of the complicated fight to control Burgundy and Lombardy. In the battle between the two areas Berengar I died and Rudolf II became king. When Rudolf 11 died in 937 Hugh of Provence succeeded him. His son Lothair II, the nominal king of Italy, married the 15 year old Adelaide In 947. Adelaide became queen of Western France. In 948 she gave birth to Emma. On 22 November 950 Lothair was poisoned. by his successor Berengar II of Italy. He attempted to cement his power by forcing the widowed Adelaide to marry his son Adalbert. She refused and fled to the castle of Como. She was tracked down and imprisoned at Garda for 4 months. She escaped and was rescued by a priest who probably took her to Canossa Castle near Reggio. While theer she sent an emissary to Otto I, the East Frankish king for his protection. They met at Pavia, the old Lombard capital, and were married on 23rd September 951. Adelaide accompanied her husband on his second expedition to Italy. In Rome, on 2nd February 967, Pope John XII, crowned Otto the Great as Holy Roman Emperor and breaking from tradition Adelaide was named Holy Roman Empress. 4 years later they returned to Rome, with their son 11 year old Otto II, to restore the newly elected Pope John XIII to his throne and to execute some of the Roman rioters who had deposed him. For the next 6 years they stayed in Rome, Otto ruled his German kingdom from there. 967 their son Otto II was crowned co-emperor and married Theophanu, a Byzantine princess, in April 972. This solved the conflict between the 2 Italian empires in southern Italy. They returned to Germany and Otto I died in May 973. Adelaide return to Italy where she had a powerful influence at court. In 978 expelled from court - jealous daughter-in-law to blame. In exile for 5 years. Reconciled to son in 983 before he died. Grandson Otto III now emperor. On death of his mother in 990 Adelaide assumed regency for next 4 years. In 995 he was declared of ‘legal majority’, Adelaide. now in her 60’s, devoted herself exclusively yo her works of charity - foundation and restoration of religious houses - monasteries, churches and abbeys. She retired to a nunnery she had founded in c.991 at Seiz in Alsace, She died at the Seiz Abbey on 16th December 999, She was buried at the abbey and Pope Urban II canonized her in 1097. Adelaide had devoted herself to the service of the church and peace, and to the empire as a guardian of both.

Gregory Thaumaturgus (c.213-270), also known as Gregory of Neocaesarea, was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century. He has been canonized as a saint in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Gregory was born around 213 AD into a wealthy pagan family in Neocaesarea (modern Niksar). He was originally known as Theodore ( gift of God). His immemorial title Thaumaturgus, the wonder worker. in Latinized Greek, casts an air of legend about him but the historical references to him permit a fairly detailed reconstruction of his work. He was introduced to the Christian faith at the age of 14, after his father had died. He studied law and traditional Greek and Roman classics. His brother-in-law was appointed legal counsel to the Roman Governor of Palestine. With his brother Athenodorus they acted as an escort to take their sister to Caesarea in Palestine. While there they learned that the celebrated scholar Origen resided there. Curiosity led them to hear and speak with Origen, the head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. They gave themselves up to the great Christian leader who gradually won them over to Christianity For 7 years he underwent the mental and moral discipline of Origen (231-9).Before leaving Palestine he delivered a public farewell oration to his illustrious master Origen to thank him. Gregory returned to Pontus with the intention of practising law but he was soon consecrated bishop of Neocaesarea by Phoedimus, Bishop of Amasea and metropolitan of Pontus. He was 40 when he became bishop and he ruled his diocese for 13 years. He started with 17 members but under his leadership most of the city of Pontus converted to Christianity. His skills were such that some his flock soon attributed miracles to him - he gained the nickname of The wonder Worker. But during the persecutions ordered by Emperor Decius in 250 many deserted. He also fled into the surrounding mountains with many of his flock. By the time of his death his flock had dwindled back to 17. Gregory was a great and conspicuous lamp, illuminating the church of God Basil concludes Gregory was regarded as another Moses. Basil the Great Sources used Christianity Today Wikipedia Brief note included about Origen

Saint Aldhelm (c.639-7090 was Abbot of Malmesbury Abbey, Bishop of Sherborne, a writer and scholar of Latin Poetry. He is said to have been the son of Kenten, who was of the royal house of Wessex. Aldhelm was educated by an Irish hermit called Maildulf (also known as Maemaidub, Maidubh and Meldun), who had a small school near what is now Maimesbury (which was named after him). He remained with him for many years. In 668 Pope Vitalian sent Theodore of Tarsus to be Archbishop of Canterbury. At the same time Hadrian, the North African scholar, became abbot of St. Augustine’s at Canterbury. Aldhelm, now aged about 30, went to Canterbury. There his studies included Roman law, astronomy, astrology, the art of reckoning and the difficulties of the calendar. He learned Latin and Greek, plus possibly Hebrew. He used Latinized Greek words in his works on poetry and prose. Due to ill health he left Canterbury and returned to Malmesbury Abbey where he was a monk under Maildulf for 14 years, dating probably from 661. It was a small community that had grown from Maildulf 's pupils On the death of Maildulf he was appointed as the first abbot of Malmesbury.He introduced Benedictine rule and secured the right of the election of the abbot to the monks he founded 2 other monasteries - Frome in Somerset and Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire. He also built a new church at Malmesbury and obtained grants of land for the monastery. He was the abbot there for 35 years He was a learned man and also a poet, It is said if his hearers would not listen to his sermons he would sing his own songs to them. There is a story that his sermon at Bishopstrow in Wiltshire was so long that his staff, which he stuck into the ground when he began, had ash buds on it at the end! His fame as a scholar spread to other countries. Artwil, the son of an Irish king, submitted his writings for Aldhelm’s approval As far as we know he was the first Anglo Saxon to write in Latin verse. ( For more detail go to Wikipedia entry) HIs fame reached Rome. He was successfully involved in solving the controversy of the dating of Easter. He reluctantly became the first bishop of Sherborne when the huge diocese of West Sussex was divided into Winchester and Sherborne. The monks at the abbey did not want to lose him so he was both abbot and bishop. His territory stretched right to Land’s End, Aldhelm was now in his mid 60s but he was very active as a bishop. He built the cathedral church at Sherborne. He was known to sing hymns and passages from the Gospels, interspersed with entertaining tales, in public places, so he might draw attention from the crowds and then preach to them. He is known as the Apostle of Wessex. He died on 25 May, 709 five years after he had become bishop. He was buried in the church of St. Michael at Malmesbury Abbey. HIs friend, St. Egwin, Bishop of Worcester, set up crosses at Aldhelm’s various stopping places. His feast, on May 25th, is in the Sarum Missal.