William Carey wasn’t born into privilege or prominence. A self-taught scholar and bivocational pastor, he spent his early years repairing shoes while dreaming about the world beyond England’s borders. His heart was ignited by a simple but radical conviction: “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

In the late 1700s, many churches believed the Great Commission had already been fulfilled. Carey challenged that mindset. Despite being told by leaders to “sit down, young man,” his passion for the unreached only grew.

His perseverance birthed the Baptist Missionary Society in 1792, setting in motion a global missions movement that continues today.

Carey’s life in India was anything but easy. He faced disease, personal loss, and years of slow progress before seeing spiritual fruit. He spent decades mastering local languages, translating the Bible into Bengali and other dialects, and promoting literacy and education.

What’s remarkable is not just his success—but his endurance. Carey’s story teaches that calling is not measured by speed or comfort, but by faithfulness over time.

For GFM and the missionaries we train, this lesson is central. True impact in missions comes when preparation meets perseverance—when the call is rooted in obedience rather than excitement alone.

William Carey didn’t just bring the gospel to India—he changed how the Church thought about missions. His legacy includes:

• Founding Serampore College, one of India’s earliest centers for Christian education.
  
  
• Translating the Bible into over 30 languages and dialects.
  
  
• Advocating for social reforms, including education for women and the end of practices like sati (widow burning).
  
  

More importantly, Carey modeled a holistic mission approach—combining spiritual conviction, practical training, and cultural understanding.

This same approach fuels GFM’s Missionary Training School (MTS) and Online Missionary Training School (OMTS), where we equip future missionaries to serve with wisdom, humility, and endurance in diverse cultures.

William Carey’s story isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a mirror for every believer sensing the call of God today. His example shows that missions aren’t reserved for the elite or the fearless. It’s for those willing to trust God deeply, prepare thoroughly, and persevere faithfully.

At GFM, we believe that what Carey began—the movement to train, send, and sustain missionaries among the unreached—continues through every student we equip and every life they touch.



So, if God has placed the nations on your heart, don’t wait for perfect circumstances. Begin where you are, prepare with excellence, and step forward in faith—just as William Carey did.