Man with a Mission
Illustration
by Steve Shepherd

Dwight L. Moody may well have been the greatest evangelist of all time. In a 40-year period he won a million souls, founded three Christian schools, launched a great Christian publishing business, established a world-renowned Christian conference center, and inspired literally thousands of preachers to win souls and conduct revivals.  A shoe clerk at 17, his ambition was to make $100,000. Converted at 18, he uncovered hidden gospel gold in the hearts of millions for the next half-century.

He preached to 20,000 a day in Brooklyn and admitted only non-church members by ticket!  He traveled across the American continent and through Great Britain in some of the greatest and most successful evangelistic meetings communities have ever known.  His tour of the world with Ira Sankey was considered the greatest evangelistic enterprise of the century.

It was Henry Varley who said, “It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up totally to Him.”  And Moody endeavored to be that man; and the world did marvel to see how wonderfully God used him.  Two great monuments stand in his memory: Moody Bible Institute and the famous Moody Church in Chicago. Moody went to be with the Lord in 1899.

What does his life teach us?  Exactly what Paul said in our text: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
by Steve Shepherd