Reader 1: The year is 1869. A group of Lutheran pastors and laypersons had come together for a convention in Reading, Pennsylvania. A 77-year-old man, his long white hair curling up at the ends, rises to speak to the assembly. He argues passionately for the Lutheran church to resume its missionary work in India.

The speaker is John Christian Frederick Heyer, who 27 years earlier had been Americans s first Lutheran foreign missionary. He had been sent twice as a missionary to India, so he definitely knew what he was talking about. But could he do more than just talk about it? Listen to his own words:

Reader 2: “Although I am nearly 77 now, I am willing to go to India myself and reorganize that work!”

Reader 1: The assembly is astounded. A delegate jumps to his feet and asks, “Will Pastor H…