Amy Carmichael (1867 - 1951)

Founder of Dohnavur Fellowship 

“Upon a life I didn't live, upon a death I didn't die; upon another's life, another's death; I stake my whole eternity.”  Click here to see a little bit of Amy Carmichael coverage by BBC.

Kathleen White writes concerning Amy Carmichael, "here is a profound look into the life of Amy Carmichael--pioneer missionary, poet, hymn-writer and author. It is the personal story of one whose simple obedience continues to help change the world."

The eldest of seven siblings, Amy Carmichael was born on the 16 December 1867 in the small village of Millisle, County Down, Northern Ireland. Amy describes her idyllic surroundings as "a little old world village of white washed cottages on the shore of the Irish Sea". She, along with her brothers and sisters were brought up in a loving home environment and were fortunate not to have been exposed to the evils and hardships that many would have faced. Although notorious for her childlike mischievousness, Amy was trained by her Presbyterian parents in Godly principles.

At the age of 15, Amy made a personal decision to follow Christ, and thus accepted Him into her heart and life. Her Father, who had contracted double pneumonia at the age of 54, died from this illness. Amy stayed with her mother at this difficult time at which she developed a heart and passion and dedication to Christian mission work which had significant impact upon the society in which she lived.

 In Victorian Britain, opportunities for women, both in terms of careers and missionary work were limited. In this sense, it seemed unlikely that Amy would become involved in and lead mission in the way that she did. However, it is a joy to know that God is not bound by societal norms and expectations or indeed by individual weaknesses, fears and ailments. As exemplified in Amy’s life, it was out of a love for God that she sought His will continually. It is significant to note that Amy had a real heart and passion for people. Commenting on her elder sister (Amy), Ethel recalls how she was very much concerned with both loving and serving people wherever/whenever opportunity arose.

Amy’s involvement in Christian mission predominantly took place in India, however, her missionary work and training began at home. Unlike the recommendations of mission organisations today, Amy did not undergo an organised training regime prior to being led further afield. Nevertheless, her exposure to and experience of working with a variety of different people within different contexts in the UK helped prepare her for the challenges that she would inevitably face in a completely different culture.

Amy began by gathering the children of the neighbourhood to her home for meetings. She however, was not oblivious to the fact that her previously privileged but sheltered childhood meant that she had limited awareness of the poverty and evils that existed within the society where she lived. Thus, in order to begin to understand more of the context and culture in which she lived Amy, accompanied Henry Montgomery (Belfast City Mission), went through the streets of Belfast on Saturday nights. It was as a consequence of this exposure that she instigated a work, which involved teaching a group of boys in a night school – always concluding with something from the Bible.

Amy’s love for God and others and desire to her share the good news of the gospel with the heathen was stirred up following her attendance of the Keswick convention (1886). Though she was unsure where God would eventually lead her, she longed to be, and indeed was, proactive in fulfilling this calling and responsibility. Significant to note is that Amy did not spend her time being preoccupied with her likely ultimate missionary calling. She worked with people in the slums of Manchester (1889). 

However, the lessons that Amy learned in one place, she was able to apply and further develop in other areas and opportunities of mission. Contrary to Amy’s natural preference and desire to remain within Manchester, she willingly went to reside in Broughton Grange (Lake District – 1890) when invited by Mr Wilson (a Quaker and widower in his 60’s). 

Despite the difficulties and rejection that she faced at times, she learned invaluable lessons here that she was able to use and apply when she finally reached India. Regardless of the geographical location of the Christian mission in which she was involved, Amy’s love and passion for the gospel and her desire to share this with the lost did not change. 

Significantly however, because of the cultural, religious and language differences that Amy encountered first in Japan, then later in India, she knew that barriers would have to be overcome and bridges built if people were to be won for Christ. Amy strongly criticised people who claimed to be Christian missionaries yet merely sought to impose their views norms and cultures to a foreign people in a foreign land. In one of her corresponding letters, Amy wrote that "missionary work was a chance to die".

 Though she did not underestimate the difficulties that she encountered, Amy immediately began learning the language (first Urdu, then Tamil) of the local people. Significant to note is that though Amy sought to relate to the people with whom she was working she was deeply concerned by, and unwilling to adopt, practices and customs that conflicted with her Christian beliefs. This is also a challenge for missionaries within today’s society. As a consequence of her willingness to listen and learn and simply love the people, Amy gained respect and thus her Christian witness had an impact upon the society.

As she had done in her involvement in mission within the context of her own culture, Amy lived a life of faith in India and was very much dependent upon God to supply her need. She was dedicated in her devotional and prayer life and she sought to encourage fellow workers to do likewise. Truly, the way in which Amy related Christian mission to her life context is of great challenge for today. Indeed, her writings continue to influence and inspire the lives of many individuals in relation to Christian mission and the key elements required for it to have an impact upon society.