Frederick W. Baedeker life changed dramatically for him and his second wife Harriet, in 1866 following a Brethren meeting held in Western-super- Mare lead by Lord Radstock. He was 42/3 years of age. Frederick reluctantly attended a meeting in the Assembly Rooms. For the first few meeting he attended he managed to slip away. The day came when the preacher ‘caught’ him. Lord Radstock laid his hand on his shoulder and said , My man, God has a message through me for you tonight. Frederick and his wife left the meeting converted. He was introduced to the Brethren net work. He spent a year with George Muller in Bristol. Soon after his conversion he began to preach. he was invited to conduct his own evangelistic tour. Lord Radstock introduced him to his life’s work in Russia. Frederick began by evangelising the aristocracy mixing with princesses, counts and barons. generals and ambassadors. Meetings were held in noble households. He stayed with Princess Nathalie Lieven. The palatial country homes of the nobility were open to Frederick, Harriet and adopted daughter. This kept him occupied between 1875 and 1887. For the next 18 years he preached to prisoners. His first epic trip, covering 1000s of kilometers, took him across Russia and Siberia… Through the influence of an unnamed countess he obtained a special command from the director of prisons to visit prisons and hand out Holy scriptures. He had a renewable 2 year permit, with enlarged privileges which gave him permission to visit prisoners in their cells. To reach these prisons he travelled by boat and by tarantass - an old fashioned coach. Frederick seemed to be able to communicate with the prisoners as well as he had the nobility.* He was moved by a compelling desire to proclaim Christ to Russians, whether they were in a prison house or in an aristocrat’s reading room. Harold Rowdon Sources used *Ambassadors for Christ * contribution by Harold Rowdon Gospel Hall Biography 65

Saint Lambert was born in Maastricht, now Holland, in the seventh century. His parents are thought to have been Apre, lord of Liege, and his wife Herisplende. He was educated by Landoald the archpriest of the city. He is described by early biographers as a prudent young man of pleasing looks, courteous and well-behaved in his speech and manners, well built, strong, a good fighter, clear headed, affectionate, pure and humble and fond of reading. He was a protege of his uncle Theodard, the bishop of Maastricht. When Theodard was murdered in c.669 the councilors of Childeric made Saint Lambert the next bishop. He remained bishop until he was martyred in c705 except for the 7 years in exile when he had been driven from his see for supporting King Childeric who Ebroin had murdered in 675. Saint Lambert lost his life during the political turmoil that developed when various families fought for dominance with the Merovingian dynasty giving way to the Carolingians. Saint Lambert, with others, was surrounded. He refused to defend himself and was killed. Date of martyrdom sometime c 705-709. He is considered a martyr for his defence of marriage fidelity. He denounced Pepin’s liaison with his mistress Alpaida, who was the mother of Charles Martel. The present day Cathedral of Our Lady and Saint Lambert in Liege was built in his honour. Saint Lambert’s tomb is located in the Cathedral. Saint Lambert is the patron saint of city of Liege. Sources used Wikipedia * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

Samuel was born in Michigan on April 12th 1867, the thirteenth of fifteen children. His parents were Adriaan and Catherina Boon Zwemer. His father was Reform Church pastor. Both father and son attended Hope College, Holland Michigan. 5 other brothers also became pastors. After his college days he attended a seminary in New Brunswich, New Jersey. Samuel and his friend James Cantine had the idea of doing missionary work in Arabia. The mission Board gave them a negative response but they still proceeded with the idea. Samuel was ordained on May 29th 1890. He saw Arabia for the first time in January 1891. He was a missionary at Busrah, Bahrein and other locations in Arabia from 1891-1905. He was a member of the Arabian Mission from 1890-1913. He was the founder of the American Mission hospital in Bahrain. He rode camels across the hot deserts of Arabia to bring the Gospel to the Muslims. He founded the * Moslem World*, published quarterly, in 1911. He not only edited it for 35 years but also covered much of the funding out of his own pocket. He saw the printed page as * the leaves for the healing of the nations. He moved to Egypt for 16 years 1913-1929. From 1929 -1937, he was professor of missions and professor of religion at Princeton Theological College Seminary. 1937, now aged 70, he retired from active work but carried on writing. He lived to the age of 84 and died in New York City. His legacy is that through the work of the Student Volunteer Movement, which he was strongly connected to*, 14,000 young men went out to the mission field.* . There is also the enormous volume of work he wrote. Sources wikipedia * Ambassadors for Christ* contribution from James Dretke Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions

Saint Christopher is a Christian martyr saint of the third century. Christopher in Greek means ’ child bearer. Christopher is often shown carrying a child on his shoulder. The legend is that Saint Christopher offered to carry a small child across a river. As they moved into the water the child became increasingly heavy. On reaching the other side he learns that he had just carried upon his back the world and Him who created it. It is uncertain which of two Roman emperors were responsible for his death by beheading. Two emperors have very similar names Decius (reigned 249-251 ) and Maximinux 11 Dacian (reigned 308-313) As a result of his famous legend of carrying the boy Jesus Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travellers. Many people as a result wear a Saint Christopher pendant image around their neck. Please note that Saint Christopher’s name was dropped from the Roman Catholic Church’s calendar in 1969 so his feast day is nolonger obligatory. Sources wikipedia and The encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton.

Paul E.Reed was the founder of Trans World Radio (TWR) in1960. In 1931 Radio broadcasting of the Gospel by shortwave radio started in. HCJB Quito in Ecuador went on the aie after careful planning by Clarence W. Jones and Reuben Larson. In 1948 the Far East Broadcasting Company began its initial broadcasting in Manila, the Philippines. On February 22, !954 the Voice of Tangier began broadcasting the gospel on air. Paul E. Reed was at the helm. Paul had travelled reluctantly to Spain having received a burden to reach the Spaniards with the Gospel. (See page 1 of Tower to Eternity- the book he published in 1979 ) After 5 years he learnt that all radio stations were to be nationalised in Morocco. In 1960 TWR was formed and on October 16th TWR began broadcasting from Adolf Hitler’s former bomb proof radio building in Monte Carlo. With his mother’s encouragement and prayers and the miraculous intervention of Radio Monte Carlo who were willing to discuss entering into a contract with the newly named TWR. TWR could now begin to reach out to the world. Read extract from Ambassador for Christ Read * Tower to Eternity , published in 1979, which is Paul’s inspirational history/biography from 1948- 1964 (available from american radio history/history com. /archive -station - 152 pages to read/ down load/buy). He helped to build up a network which stretched around the world. To the extent that 80% of the world could receive broadcasts in 120 languages. 1993 Paul retired from the presidency but continued as chairman of TWR. He died in 1996. His legacy is the Trans Word Radio (TWR) which is a the largest Christian media organization in the world. Currently programmes can be heard in 190 countries in more than 230 languages and dialects. I do not think he regretted to Spain after all. Sources Tower of Eternity by Paul E. Reed * Ambassadors for Christ * contribution by E. Brant Gustavson dacb Dictionary of Christian Biography wikipedia

Saint Ninian ( known by 9 other names). Indisputable evidence that he was successful with the conversion of the Celts to Christianity is the numerous churches dedicated to him in parts of Scotland and northern England ‘* Probably ’ 'tradition ’ variations’ will be used often in this text since very little is actually known about him. The Venerable Bede in his 8th century Ecclesiastical History of the English People is our earliest source. Bede said that he named his episcopal see after Saint Martin of Tours. ( other accounts suggest he met the French patron on return to Scotland). He implies that Saint Ninian began the conversion of the Picts based on accounts of the period which may not be be entirely trustworthy. He was born in Galloway, Scotland. By tradition his father, probably gave his son to the Romans for good behaviour as was the custom then. He was therefore educated in Rome. There he decided to return to Scotland to teach Christianity. The Pope made him Bishop of the Southern Picts. For this reason he is known as the Apostle to the Southern Picts. He made his headquarters at Whithorn. Saint Ninian was the first bishop of Galloway. In 396 he built a church called Ad Candidam Casam or ’ at the white house. He dedicated the house to Saint Martin on the hearing of the saint’s death. In medieval times his tomb in the church at Whithorn was a great place of pilgrimage. Variations assert that he left Scotland for Ireland and died there in 432. Aeired in the 12th century wrote A life of Saint Ninian. He attributes 10 miracles to saint Ninian, 6 of them during the saint’s lifetime If you go to Whithorn today you can see the place where Saint Ninian had his monastery and the cave. Saint Ninian was The Apostle to the Southern Picts. Sources used - wikipedia BBC News Biography of undiscovered Scotland The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

Victor Landro’s life changed dramatically in 1956. Before 1956 he had been handed a Bible, but he could not read! Victor through a set of remarkable circumstances met Eliecer Benavides, a recent graduate from Bible college. Between learning to read the Bible and listening to Elicer’s explanation he committed his life to Christ. Victor had been a farmer who owned a tavern come house of prostitution. He employed 3 prostitutes and lived with 3 women and his 5 children. He led his whole family to Christ. He married the mother of his 5 children. The tavern became a general store. He established a thriving small church on his farm. He then persuaded his brothers to buy out his portion of the farm. With this money he moved to Corozalito. From Corozalito he took the message to many villages and farms throughout the region. Within a few years dozens of churches or small congregations sprung up in the forest and rural areas. He did this for 15 successful years. He decided to move his family into the Catio territory. Here he had to master the Indian dialect and build up a relationship with this new group. His witness to this group was just as fervent as with his Spanish friends. He was only able to so seeds. !5 years of success were followed by 15+ years of frustration. 30+ years of faithfulness. Victor said he will spend the rest of his life among these Indians. Chapter 5 from True stories of God at work in Columbia where Victor follows up his dream in an unbelievable true story. (See chapter) Victor has been faithful to the trust placed in his humble hands. The 3 articles I have included are either written by, or contributed to, by David Morris Howard. Ambassadors for Christ David wrote the chapter about Victor Sample chapter David adds a comment Victor’s Tale David wrote the article Between 1982-1992 he was the International Director of World Evangelical Fellowship.

Saint Giles, also known as Saint Giles the Hermit, lived in the 7th century. There are many legends about him but there are very few facts. It is thought he was borne in Athens, Greece and was originally called Aegidus. He sailed to France where he stayed in the Provence and Septimania. The Legenda Aurea links him with Arles where he withdrew into a forest, near Nimes, where he spent many years in solitude as a hermit. He befriended a deer which was being chased by the kings hunters. The hunters shot their arrows at the deer and one of the arrows injured Saint Giles. Many of the paintings of Saint Giles shows him holding a deer with an arrow in his and. Saint Giles as a result became the patron saint of the physically disabled, lepers, cripples and beggars. The king, according to legend, was Wamba. He built a monastery for Saint Giles who placed it under Benedictine rule. Saint Giles became the abbot and lived there for nearly 50 years. The town of St Gilles grew up round the monastery. Information about the town of St. Gilles and the St. Giles fair in Oxford. Sources wikipedia The Church’s Year Charles Alexander Encyclopedia of saints by Howard Loxton St. Gilles in the Languedoc

Ludwig is often referred to being the Apostle of the Batak. In 1862 Ludwig went as a missionary to the island of Sumatra which is part of Indonesia. Efforts to win the natives had started with 3 missionaries back in 1820 but they were unsuccessful. 1834 there was a second attempt. The Bataks were cannibals and they eat the two missionaries. In 1834 Ludwig was born. In 1846, aged 12, he had his legs crushed by a horse cart. It was feared he would never walk, but with prayer, three years later he was able to walk again. In 1857 an interest in missionary work led him to enroll at the Rhenish Missionary Society seminary at Wuppertal- Barmen. In 1865 he baptised his first converts. In 1878 he translated the New Testament into Batak. 1878-1881 involved as interpreter in the First Toba War. His aim was to save lives and to avoid Dutch brutal punitive action against local villages. After the war the Batak people saw Ludwig as the person who could protect them against Dutch influence. ( For more detail read the 4 columns from Ambassadors for Christ.) For 56 years he worked tireless in Sumatra. He helped the Barak church come into existence. He led it with great skill until his dying day.He trained indigenous native Baraks to be elders, pastors and teachers to be the backbone of the church work. The church was integrated into the community - this made Christinaization much easier. Ludwig was probably one of the most successful missionaries to ever preach the gospel. His work was recognised and he received a knighthood - the Royal Dutch Order of Orange Nassau in 1893 and an officer of this order in 1911. Included map of Sumatra Sources Ambassadors for Christ - contribution from Werner Raupp wikipedia History of Missiology Britannica

Saint Aidan was an Irish monk from Saint Columbo’s monastery on the Isle of Iona. In 635 Aidan was made bishop and set off for Northumbria. He decided to make his new headquarters on Lindisfarne or Holy Island, a rocky island off the east coast of Northumberland. There he built a wooden church and monastery huts for his companions and himself and started a school for boys. The monks lived a life of prayer, study and austerity (no luxuries). From here they went on their missions. The monastery was in sight of Bamborough, the castle/capital of King Oswald. Initially he had a problem with the English language so the king interpreted for him. They soon became great friends. Saint Aidan was a simple and gentle man but quick to recognise goodness. He walked everywhere spreading the gospel and founded churches for his small Christian communities. (The king’s son Oswin , when he became king, offered him a horse but he gave it away) In his years of evangelism he was responsible for the the construction of churches, monasteries and schools throughout Northumbria. His friend King Oswald was killed after a battle with Penda, king of Mercia. Penda unable to take Bamborough created a fire which he hoped, wind assisted, would destroy the city. Saint Aidan prayed and the wind turned dramatically - Penda’s army retreated. A while later Oswy invaded Northumbria. Oswin, knowing he could not win, dismissed his army. One of his own earls betrayed him. Saint Aidan died of shock when he heard the news - August 31st 651. Saint Aidan is known as the Apostle of Northumbria. Joseph Lightfoot, Bishop of Durhamwent several steps further Augustine was the Apostle of Kent, but Aidan was the Apostle of the English*. I have included some information about the island of Lindisfarne. Sources used Wikipedia, * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander Marygate House

Dieumeme was given this name by mistake! His father thought it meant ’ Gift of God ’ the correct translation is ’ God himself '. Dieumeme is proof that it is possible, through faith, to climb to the top of the mountain. He is now the president of the Caribbean Evangelical Theological Association (CETA). He is the Professor of Theological Ethics;Vernon Ground Chair of Pastoral Ministry and Social Ethics at Denver( Conservative Baptist) Seminary. He was born into an illiterate Christian Haiti family. He wanted to learn how to read. His sister made a starling offer she would sell her rooster to make it possible for him to go to school. Aged 13 he placed his faith in Christ during a vacation Bible School. He entered an Unevangelized Fields Mission for 5 years. This was one year short for sitting the Baccalaureate 1 exams. So 4 of them self tutored themselves in their fifth year. Dieumeme , with 2 others, passed the exam 1 and he passed exam 2. His older brother had gone into the ministry. Seeing how poorly it paid he decided to study law. He completed 3 out of the 4 year course. Whilst there he worked at the Christian Radio Lumiere. He impressed Dr. Harold Merchant who offered to sponsor him going to the USA to study the Bible at Detroit Bible College. He agreed to go. In Detroit he fell in love with theology and then Gloria Charleston.Shortly after graduation in 1979 he married Gloria. They moved to Deerfield. They began to work with the Haitian community and in !982 they launched the Haitian Evangelical Baptist Church. (please read the rest of column 2 and columns 3 and 4 of the notes from * Ambassadors for Christ *. The Caribbean eventually got their dean. Being fluent in English, French, Creole and Spanish he was ideally prepared for a Caribbean -wide education role. The sale of the rooster by his sister turned out to be one of the soundest investments ever made. Sources used *Ambassadors for Christ * - contribution from Harry Genet Denver Seminary CETA

Saint Bartholomew was one of the original disciples that Jesus choose. He lived in the First century AD. He was with Jesus throughout his ministry and at Pentecost (Acts ch 2v13). What happened afterwards no one is certain. There is a story that 100 years after his death there was found, in India, a copy of the Gospel of Matthew, which had been handed down by people made Christian by Saint Bartholomew. (India, in those days was a word used for many countries) It is said he was martyred at Albanopolis in Armenia. In Art he is commonly depicted with a beard and curly hair. Legends suggest when he was martyred he was skinned alive and then beheaded. (See pictures of paintings) St. Barts hospital, founded by Rahere following his pilgrimage to Rome, in London is named after him. Scholars are unsure whether he is called Nathaniel in Saint John’s gospel because John does not mention Bartholomew among the disciples he mentions by name. In the Synoptic gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke - he is mentioned by name when the 12 disciples are listed… Matthew ch10 v1-4, Mark ch 3 v13-19 Luke ch 6 v12-16. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip,**** Bartholomew***, Thomas, Matthew, James -son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the zealot and Judas Iscariot. John, in his Gospel, does not list the 12. In chapter 1 we read of Jesus choosing some of his disciples -Peter and Andrew - and Philip and Nathaniel. Nathaniel’s name is mentioned 4 times in chapter 1 v45-49. Many scholars think Bartholomew and Nathaniel are the same person. The paintings I have included on the Saint Nathaniel sheet has a mixture of Bartholomew and Nathaniel! Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander, wyclipedia, Britannica

Muriwhenua, to give him his full first name, may have been born with a hole in his heart but he had a whole heart for Jesus. Muri’ s uncle was the Maori bishop of Aotearoa and his mother, Meriana, hoped he would become an Anglican clergyman. Muri, on the other hand, desired to be a leader of a dance band! Aged 16 he went to Auckland to finish his schooling. He stayed at the United Maori Mission where Charlie Bennett was the minister. Charlie impressed Muri with his sincerity and genuineness. He attended a YMCA meeting and was asked, ‘Why don’t you receive Christ?’ He replied, ‘All right , I’ll give it ago’. Slowly a change in heart and mind happened. He read biographies of famous preachers and evangelists. In January 1954 Jim Duffecy, an Open Air Campaigner (OAP), landed in Auckland. Muri inspired by Jim gained confidence to take his own aggressive and unorthodox style to his own people. An OAP branch was opened in New Zealand - Muri was one of its first evangelists. He went to the USA but his heart was giving him problems. On returning home he went to hospital - given a 50/50 chance of surviving an operation. No operation until 17 years later! Those 17 years were fruitful ones for evangelism. In 1963 he married Ena. She was a loyal support and strength until the end. In 1970 he went to the Solomon Islands - the Charisma of Revival. There there was a new breath of the Spirit. ( See notes) In 1972 there were the Jesus matches (See short note). Muri was a prophet of God,singularly devoid of airs and graces, and worldly ambition. He took the Gospel of Christ to the Maoris -his brothers and sisters. Sources used Ambassadors for Christ editor J. D. Woodbridge - contributor David Stewart World Press - Donald Daily Victoria University of Wellington Library

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was one of the most influential churchmen of his time. He was a man who by personality and goodness of character, rather than by his position, influenced kings. Both his parents died whilst he was still young.His father Tecelin was killed on a crusade. His mother Aleth died in 1107. He claimed his mother’s death led him towards his ’ long path to complete conversion '. Saint Bernard decided he wanted to become a monk. He entered the Citeaux monastery with 30 other youths of noble rank. The monks of Citeaux and its daughter monasteries were called Cistercians. In 1115 Saint Stephen Harding appointed him abbot of Clairvaux . Aided by 11 others it became a celebrated abbey. The monastic rule he perfected at Clairvaux became the model for 163 monasteries of the Cistercian reform. He became the most conspicuous figure in the history of the 12th century. He founded numerous abbeys. For 10 years Saint Bernard had a penchant for penitential practices and as a result was plagued by poor health -anemia, migraine, gastritis hypertension and a poor sense of taste. He was most active between 1130 and 1145. He was the confidant for 5 popes. He was mediator and councilor for several civil and ecclesiastical councils and theological debate during 7 years of papal disunity. Saint Bernard was given the task to promote the Second Crusade (1147-9). It ended unfortunately in failure. Saint Bernard was loved and respected by everyone. He died on the 20th August 1174. Sources used Britannica, Catholic 0nline and *The Church’s Year * by Charles Alexander

Sister Annie was a Norwegian missionary nurse who served in China and Hong Kong. In China she stood out because she was 190cms tall. She became a national hero when she appeared on the Norwegian version of *This is Your Life * in 1985. The Miracle at Midnight heading is the story of when Sister Annie and a friend almost lost their lives. This happened one day in June 1941 in northwest China. They were watching a procession and were asked to take off their hats to show respect to idols. Sister Annie refused and said her God would bring rain before midnight. Half an hour before midnight it rained. Sister Annie’s prayer was answered. By the age of 27 she had joined the Norwegian Missionary Association. In 1938 she arrived in Shaanxi, a province in Northern China where she stayed until the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War in 1950. In 1951 the defeat of the Kuomintang meant all foreign missionaries had to leave and she moved to Hong Kong. Between 1953-5 Sister Annie worked at the Rennie Mill refugee camp. In 1955 Sister Annie worked with Helen Wilson and Hanny Gronlund to found the Haven of Hope Hospital - it is a rehabilitation centre for Chinese refugees.She worked there until her retirement in 1978. In 2015 it celebrated 60 years. In 1963 she was appointed as a First Class Knight of St. Olav. In the 1975 December Time * cover story named her as one of the world’s * living saints* along side Mother Teresa. In 1979 she was rewarded and MBE (Member of the British Empire) for her tireless labours in Hong Kong. I have included a list of the books she wrote. Sources wikipedia and * Ambassadors for Christ* edited by J.D. Woodbridge contributors Avid and Gudveig Meller

Saint Lawrence (or Laurence) is one of the most venerated Roman martyrs. He was born in Spain and went to work for the future Pope Sixtus11 in Rome. He was ordained as a deacon to work in the cathedral. He was appointed first deacon among the 7 deacons. (deacons are responsible for looking after the poor - the indigent) He was the archdeacon of Rome a position of great trust which included the care of the treasury and riches of the church. August 258 the Roman emperor Valerian sent out an edict that all bishops, priests and deacons should be killed. On August 8th Pope Sixtus 11 was executed. The prefect of Rome asked Saint Lawrence to hand over the riches of the church. Saint Lawrence asked for and was granted three days to collect the riches. Instead of collecting the riches he distributed the riches/alms amongst the indigent, crippled, blind and suffering. One account suggests that he told the prefect * The church is truly rich, far richer than the emperor.* For his defiance, Lawrence the last of the 7 deacons - the ranking church official, was martyred. In those days to be martyred you were normally beheaded. ** Legend ** has it the prefect was so angry with Saint Lawrence that he had a great gridiron prepared with hot coals underneath and Saint Lawrence was burnt alive . In pain the dying saint declared *I am roasted enough on this side; turn me over and eat Saint Lawrence became famous. He is the patron saint for cooks, chefs and comedians. King Philip 11 of Spain had his great palace built in the shape of a grid iron. There are over 200 churches dedicated to Saint Lawrence. There has been a Saint Lawrence church in Reading, Berkshire since 1196. Sources used wikipedia, youronlinechoices * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

Festo was a Ugandan Christian leader who faced the wrath of the brutal dictator Idi Amin. Festo was a world renown evangelist, founder of African Evangelistic Enterprises (AEE), and bishop of Kigezi Diocese in Uganda. In 1973 Festo attended the firing squad of 3 Christians by Idi Amin’s army. (The included article by Frederick Quinn is very moving) When Idi Amin in1977 had Archbishop Janani Luwum killed Festo, with his family were encouraged to flee the country. During his exile he settled in California. USA and travelled extensively preaching and teaching about the situation in Uganda. April 1979 Idi Amin was overthrown and Festo returned home. He continued an active ministry untilhis death , by leukemia, in 1988. A good part of the year was spent on evangelistic tours to raise money for AEE. Early in his career he was asked to translate into Swahili the sermons of Billy Graham. Billy was very impressed and they became lifelong friends. Forgiveness, reconciliation and proclamation were the three corner stones of his ministry. He wrote a book * I love Idi Amin.* In the book he asked for forgiveness from the Lord and for grace to love President Amin more. The Anglican Community lost an articulate and inspiring preacher; the church of Africa lost one of its most courageous leaders. He played a large role in the Christian revival in southwestern Uganda. Festo was indeed the Billy Graham of Africa.. Sources Christian History, DACB C0llection, Archives of the Episcopal Church *Ambassadors for Christ -editor J.D. Woodbridge contributor Jay Russell

Saint Boniface was a Benedictine monk who was born in Crediton in Devon. His original name was Wynfrid or Wynfrith. Pope Gregory 11 renamed him Boniface - doer of good. Boniface studied at the abbeys of Exeter and Newell and became a monk. He was ordained a priest a priest at about the age of 30. He tried three times to evangelise in Frisia/ Friesland ( now in the Netherlands ). The first two attempts -716 and 722 failed, the third, when he was aged 75, cost him his life. In 718 he went to Rome. Gregory11 entrusted him with a mission to the pagans east of the Rhine… 722 he went to Hesse where he established the first of many Brendictine monasteries. His success was so great Gregory11 consecrated him a missionary bishop 725-735 he was active in Thuringia converting pagans and renewing the faith of Christians. Pope Gregory 111 ordered him to organize the church in Bavaria. In 751 Boniface became archbishop of Mainz. In 754, as a monk, he returned to Friesland. As he confirmed some converts he, along with 52 others, was martyred by a band of pagan Frisians. Consuelo Maria Aherne, in the Britannica notes I have included, concludes Saint Boniface was an organizer, educator and reformer and that he influenced the course of intellectual, political and ecclesiastical history in Germany and France throughout the Middle Ages. Saint Boniface was indeed a* doer of good.* In 2019 Devon County council officially recognised Saint Boniface as the Patron Saint of Devon. Sources used Britannica, wikipedia, The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander and *The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton.

Saint James the Great is the brother of John. They were the sons of Zebedee. Together Jesus named them the sons of thunder. James and John were fishermen who Jesus called to become * fishers of men.* They were two of the original twelve chosen by Jesus. They, with the other 10 disciples, were with Jesus throughout his ministry. Jesus had an inner circle of four disciples - two sets of brothers James and John, and Simon Peter and Andrew. These four were with Jesus for two important events in his life - the Transfiguration and the betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane. James would have witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus and seen him after his glorious resurrection. James would have also been present at both the Ascension and Pentecost. King Herod Agrippa in AD 44 had James executed by the sword (Acts 12 v20). Saint James the great is the patron saint of Spain Two disciples of Jesus were named James, the other one is James the son of Alphaeus. A third James mentioned was the brother of Jesus. Sources used wkipedia, catholic on line and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander.

Mary Magdalene was an original follower of Jesus. The name Magdalene suggest she came from a small town called Magdala. We first notice her in Luke’s gospel (Chapter 2 v 1-3). it simply says who seven demons had come out. She is mentioned 12 times in total by name in the canonical Gospels- that is more than most of the disciples or non-family women in the Gospels are mentioned. She is mentioned in the list of women who watched Christ’s crucifixion and his burial (Matthew 27 v 55-61 Mark 15 v 40-47 and John 19 v25 ). She come very much to the fore in the resurrection story. She is one of the first to witness the empty tomb. She is the first to see him after his resurrection - but initially believes he is the gardener until Jesus simply says,* ‘Mary’. She gives her wonderful reply of Rabboni * -Master She is the first to testify to his resurrection. This is why in many Christian traditions she is known as the apostle to the apostles. (Matthew 28 v1-10, Mark 16 v 1-9, Luke 24 v10 and John 20 v 1-18). We do not know for certain what happened to her afterwards. It is thought she went with John the disciple/apostle to Ephesus. I have included Biblical texts from the burial and the resurrection. In the Gnostic Gospels her closeness to Jesus results in tension with the other disciples. Sources NIV Bible, wikipedia and ** The Church’s Year * by Charles Alexander