No Solitary Effort: How the CIM Worked to Reach the Tribes of Southwest China

No Solitary Effort describes how members of the China Inland Mission engaged the tribes of Southwest China as part of their comprehensive plan to evangelize all of China from 1865 to 1951. That endeavor required the combined lifelong efforts of numerous missionaries, spanned several generations, and was invariably affected by events and decisions that occurred thousands of miles from where the actual ministry was taking place. The task was incomplete when the missionaries were forced to leave, but the foundations for the Church which were laid have stood. This book addresses the great challenges to cooperation that faced the missionaries. It also reveals the rich rewards that were obtained by the united efforts of committed Christians who had no timetable for withdrawal, but only an unwavering commitment to work together until the task was accomplished.ReviewThis book weaves together stories of successes and failures, struggles and triumphs of the China Inland Mission. The work among the tribal peoples and in particular the Miao and Lisu has been carefully researched. Two other key areas are explored in this book. Firstly, how modernity challenged the work and how the China Inland Mission responded to such challenges. Secondly, the issue of indigenous principle, or indigenization is explored. There is much food for thought in this book for those who are grappling with critical issues in modern day missions. Rev. Dr. Patrick Funggeneral director, OMF International