HOLDING THE ROPE FOR MISSIONARIES

William Carey (1761–1834) is widely recognized as the father of modern Protestant missions and an exceptional tentmaker. Over a span of 41 years in India, he dedicated himself to discipling a nation and transforming its culture, at a time when many of his contemporaries believed that cross-cultural missions was only reserved for the apostles of the first century.

When people called Carey a genius, he humbly responded, "I can plod and persevere. That is my only genius." His journey was not solitary, though. On an emotional farewell before departing for India in 1793, Carey famously said to his dear friend Andrew Fuller, "I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the ropes." Fuller's unwavering reply was, "Whilst we lived, we should never let go the rope." This analogy of holding the rope became emblematic of the collaborative effort between those who send and those who go, with the rope symbolizing their lifeline. The question then is, “How do we hold the rope for missionaries?”

Fuller upheld his commitment to Carey by chairing his sending agency, advocating for missions, preaching it fervently, and raising funds. While we may not be able to accomplish all that, any missionary would tell you that what they need most is your prayers. As missionaries plod and persevere, we must hold the rope and pray.