Edmund 'Teddy' Hodgson (1898-1960)

Edmund ‘Terry’ Hodgson was a British Pentecostal missionary in the Belgian Congo, Africa from 1920-1960.

He served his Lord and the church as a preacher, teacher, doctor, dentist, carpenter, hunter, father and friend. Ultimately In 1960 he gave his life as a martyr for the Gospel of Jesus.

Terry was born in Preston, England. He left school aged 13 to work as a delivery boy for a baker. His employer asked him if he attended Sunday school. He replied ‘Yes’. He then asked, ‘And do yo love the Lord Jesus?’ This got him thinking. Later he knelt down with his employer and committed his life to the service of Jesus.

Aged 14 he became an apprentice cabinetmaker - he would become a skilled carpenter. He mixed with students at a Pentecostal Bible school and met a missionary who worked in the Belgian Congo. He was baptised with the Holy Spirit and promised to think about going to the Congo.

He enlisted in the British Armed Forces during WW1 (1914-18). He was called ‘Holy Hodgson’. He was a crack shot. He moved into no-man’s land and was injured -he lost his trigger finger as a result.

Back in the UK he built up a successful restoration furniture business. The missionary from the Congo returned - ‘Well, Teddy, what about the Congo?’

He wrestled with the thought, He finally surrendered to God - he never looked back.

In 1920 he sailed to the Congo. He then walked 150 miles through mosquito infested swamps. After 9 months of pain and nearly blinded he called out to God ’ Lord, either heal me or take me to heaven.’ The next day he got out of bed, packed his bags and began working in the villages

He had limited skill in the Kiluba language but he had an overwhelming love for these people that words seem to simply flow from his mouth. The lads who had helped him build his house laughed because they could now understand him!

He stayed for 40 years visiting villages. he had many hair raising experiences.
He learned to shoot with his middle finger. He killed over 60 marauding lions.

He buried two of his wives.He refrained from sending his 5 children back to the UK.

In 1946 he wrote an article describing a great revival which lead to baptisms of well over a 1000 souls. ( See article- go Wikipedia for clearer copy.)

In 1960 the Congo declare independence. The atmosphere changed dramatically. The missionaries found themselves contained in a small area in Kamina by rebels.
He was joined by Elton Knauf and his wife from New Zealand. Knauf felt he had left Lulungu in a rush without leaving supplies and money for the hospital workers.

They decided to take the back road. When they arrived they were confronted by rebels singing ’ We want no words from the white man’s God’. They tried to negotiate. They demanded to march with them. Christians from the village kept a safe distance. They watched in horror as the machetes were raised and Terry and Elton were hacked to pieces in front of their eyes

Terry served God as both Apostle and Epistle.

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