Amy Carmichael, known as the “Keswick Missionary,” was a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to serving the Lord and rescuing countless children from the horrors of temple prostitution in India. Her unflinching commitment to the gospel and her unwavering compassion for the oppressed have inspired generations of Christians to follow in her footsteps.
In this comprehensive article, we will look into the life and legacy of this extraordinary missionary, exploring the key events and pivotal moments that shaped her remarkable journey. From her early days in Ireland to her decades-long ministry in India, we will uncover the extraordinary impact she had on the world and the enduring lessons we can learn from her life.
Outline of the Life Story of Amy Carmichael
- The Beginnings of Amy Carmichael’s Missionary Journey
- Answering the Call: Amy’s Decision to Pursue Missionary Work
- Establishing the Dohnavur Fellowship: A Safe Haven for India’s Temple Children
- Confronting the Darkness: Amy’s Crusade Against Temple Prostitution
- The Power of Prayer: Amy’s Unwavering Faith in the Face of Adversity
- The Writings of Amy Carmichael: Inspiring Generations of Believers
- The Legacy of Amy Carmichael: Continuing the Fight for Justice
The Beginnings of Amy Carmichael’s Missionary Journey
Amy Beatrice Carmichael was born in 1867 in the small village of Millisle, County Down, Ireland. She was the oldest of seven children born to devout Christian parents, David and Catherine Carmichael. From a young age, Amy displayed a deep compassion for the less fortunate and a strong desire to serve the Lord. Amy attended a ladies’ college in her youth before her family moved to Belfast when she was 16 years old.
After her father’s death two years later, Amy began a Sunday morning class for mill girls in Belfast. This class grew rapidly in attendance. Around this time, Amy felt called to missionary work after hearing Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, speak at a Keswick convention.
Answering the Call: Amy’s Decision to Pursue Missionary Work
In 1887, at 20, Amy applied to the China Inland Mission, seeking to join their mission work in China. However, her application was ultimately declined because of health concerns. Meanwhile, during her time in London, Amy crossed paths with Mary Geraldine Guinness, a missionary to China, who motivated her to pursue missionary work. Amy began exploring other opportunities to serve the Lord, and she then joined the Church Missionary Society instead.
Her first attempt at missionary work was in Japan, where she stayed for 15 months before returning home for health reasons. Amy later joined the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society, which sent her to Bangalore (India), after a brief stay at Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
In 1895, Amy arrived in South India, where she would spend the next 55 years of her life serving the Lord, during which she founded a mission in Dohnavur. Amy’s decision to pursue missionary work was not an easy one, as she had to overcome significant personal and financial challenges. Her unwavering faith and obedience to God’s calling fueled her determination to make a difference in the world.
Establishing the Dohnavur Fellowship: Ministry in India
Shortly after her arrival, Amy encountered a young girl named Preena, who had been dedicated to the Hindu temples as a temple prostitute. Deeply moved by Preena’s plight, Amy made it her mission to rescue and care for these vulnerable children.
Amy founded the Dohnavur Fellowship in 1901, a mission that provided a haven for former temple prostitutes and their children. Over the years, the Dohnavur Fellowship grew to include an orphanage, schools, and a thriving community of believers dedicated to serving the Lord and uplifting the oppressed. Thomas Walker, who was an Anglican missionary from CMS (Church Missionary Society), was a mentor and a teacher to Amy Wilson Carmichael, significantly shaping her missionary life. He encouraged Amy’s work among the temple children.
The Fellowship tried to respect Indian culture, with members wearing Indian dress and giving the children Indian names. She also learned the local language (Tamil). Amy herself dyed her skin dark. By 1913, Dohnavur was serving 130 girls and added a home for boys in 1918. Amy also formed a Protestant religious order called the Sisters of the Common Life in 1916.
Confronting the Darkness: Amy’s Crusade Against Temple Prostitution
Amy Charmichael’s life in India was not without its challenges. She faced fierce opposition from the Hindu temple priests and the local authorities, who saw her efforts to rescue the temple children as a threat to their lucrative and exploitative practices. Despite the dangers, Amy remained steadfast in her commitment to the girls, risking her own life to save them from the horrors of temple prostitution.
Amy’s bold and courageous actions earned her the respect and admiration of many, but they also made her a target for those who sought to silence her. Nevertheless, she persevered, driven by her unwavering faith and her deep compassion for the suffering children she had vowed to protect. She became an “AMMAI” (mother) to many children.
The Power of Prayer: Amy’s Unwavering Faith in the Face of Adversity
Despite the many challenges she faced, Amy Carmichael remained steadfast in her faith, relying on the power of prayer to sustain her throughout her missionary journey. She believed deeply in the transformative power of prayer and encouraged her fellow believers to join her in interceding for the people of India and the work of the Dohnavur Fellowship.
Amy’s unwavering faith and her reliance on God’s strength were a constant source of inspiration to all who knew her. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, she never wavered in her commitment to the Lord and the people she had dedicated her life to serving. After coming to India, Amy never returned to England. Amy died in 1951 at Dohnavur.
The Writings of Amy Carmichael: Inspiring Generations of Believers
In addition to her remarkable missionary work, Amy Carmichael was also a prolific writer, penning over 35 books and numerous articles that have inspired countless believers around the world. Readers around the world widely acclaim her writings for their depth, insight, and poetic beauty, which range from reflections on her missionary experiences to deeply spiritual meditations.
Amy’s writings have been especially influential among the evangelical community, where her words have been used to challenge and encourage believers to embrace a deeper relationship with God and to pursue a life of radical obedience and service.
Here is a list of some notable books by Amy Carmichael:
- Mountain Breezes: The Collected Poems of Amy Carmichael (1999)
- Gold By Moonlight (1935)
- Edges of His Ways (1955)
- You Are My Hiding Place: Rekindling the Inner Fire (1991)
- Toward Jerusalem (1936)
- A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael
- Before the Door Shuts (1948)
- Mimosa: A True Story (1958)
- I Come Quietly to Meet You: An Intimate Journey in God’s Presence
- Ploughed Under
- Windows
- From Sunrise Land: Letters from Japan (1895)
- From Fight
- Raisins
- Things as They Are: Mission Work in Southern India
The Legacy of Amy Carmichael: Continuing the Fight for Justice
Amy Carmichael’s legacy lives on today, as her work and her example continue to inspire believers around the world. The Dohnavur Fellowship she founded continues to operate, providing a haven for countless children and serving as a testament to the enduring impact of her life and ministry.
As we reflect on the extraordinary life of Amy Carmichael, we are challenged to examine our own lives and to consider how we might follow in her footsteps, dedicating ourselves to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in the upliftment of the oppressed, and the advancement of the gospel in a world that so desperately needs the transformative power of God’s love.