This Week in Christian History: Lottie Moon, Richard Niebuhr, Thomas More
Lottie Moon is Sent to China as a Missionary – July 7, 1873
This week marks the anniversary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention appointing Lottie Moon as a missionary to China.
A native of Virginia and standing only 4-foot-3-inches tall, Moon was appointed to China on July 7, 1873 and is credited with shaping how overseas mission work is done by the SBC.
"She's been a hero to many for her willingness to leave relative comfort, social position, and a loving family behind in the United States to go to a life of discomfort and perpetual struggle," noted the blog Ethics and Culture in 2015.
"Her faithful letter writing to raise funds for all Baptist missionaries led to her becoming the namesake of the Southern Baptist Convention's annual Christmas Offering. Because of her faithfulness, her name has become a rallying point for Southern Baptist Missions."