5 ever doubt a calling it was Carey. Carey was a Baptist minister who was ignited with a passion to bring the Gospel to the lost people of India. Carey would leave England with his family never to return, and today he lies buried in Serampore following forty years of laboring ministry. Renown today as the "Father of Modern Missions," what might be less known are the many sufferings that Carey endured. Just a list of several of the crises that Carey faced should give you a taste of his struggle: lack of support from his denomination in England, loss of two children (one in India), death of two spouses (both in India), no conversions for his first seven years of ministry. In his journals, Carey frequently describes days when he felt distant from the presence of the Lord and a cooling of his zeal for the work. Yet Carey, so assured of his call and its importance, never gave up. In fact, he and his colleagues drafted a powerful vision for missions in 1804 known as the "Serampore Agreement" to keep the team focused and sustained through their labors. Among the ten articles included a compassion for lost souls, devotion to prayer, and viewing life as a stewardship. These three alone are essential for any calling of Christian leadership. We must remember why we lead: to serve others. We must remember in whose strength we lead: by prayer. And we must remember in whose Name we lead: as God's stewards. Further Reading: Faithful Witness: The Life and Mission of William Carey by Timothy George The Journal and Selected Letters of William Carey edited by Terry G. Carter
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