Jonathan Goforth-Honored Soldiers

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1924

Jonathan Goforth-65 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China. In all the years I have been here, I have never desired to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China about the living God who loves them. 

I am 65 years old today. 

I'm going to tell you my birthday wish. I wish I could serve God here in China another 20 years.

Yeah. I don't regret one minute of my service here. I want you to know, things haven't been full of spender. We've had the lion share of illness and tragedy, but, looking back, I would do it all again if I could.

It's letters from General Feng that remind me how God has changed the lives of those who have believed in Him. General Feng inclosed an article from a newspaper. That reporter wrote:

In the past we civilians have suffered at the hands of our own soldiers. While it is expected that we should feed them, Chinese soldiers have seized our houses and public buildings for their own use. They have taken items that are precious and dear to us, they have taken our wives and daughters and mistreated them terribly. 

One general, who used to do and allowed his men to do these same things has changed in a big way. When General Feng and his men march through a city now, they don't disturb buildings or the people. No one is harmed, taunted, harassed, stolen from, or beaten. The men camp outside of town, even the general does! They buy everything that they need and no one is forced to give them what they want. The people are so happy and honored to have these men as their soldiers.

Wow! I am continually amazed at the power of God in people's lives. 


Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

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