Birth: 20-04-1718
Death: 19-10-1747
Native Place: America
Place of Vision: America
David Brainerd was one of the American pioneer missionaries who carried the Gospel to the Native Americans. Brainerd was born to devout Christian parents, but he lost them at the young age of fourteen. Since then, Brainerd was cautious regarding his religion and read the entire Bible twice a year. However, he was under the belief that his religious efforts would lead him to heaven until a vision of God’s glory shattered his religious exterior. He was convinced there is nothing he could do in his own strength to commend himself to God. With an unspeakable joy of salvation, he committed himself his life to proclaiming the love of Christ to the lost souls.
Brainerd joined Yale college in 1739 to prepare for the ministry. There he was influenced by the teachings of George Whitefield, who was then leading the ‘Great Awakening’ in America. Despite severe illness and frequent bouts of depression, Brainerd strengthened himself in Christ for the ministry. He started his ministry as an itinerant preacher at many churches in New England and New York. However, Brainerd was greatly burdened for the salvation of native Americans and joined few others in this endeavor.
Brainerd began his ministry with the Indians in April 1743 at Kannameek, New York, and then moved along the Lehigh region of Pennsylvania and central New Jersey. He went among the Forks, a ferocious tribe in Delaware, and miraculously led many natives to Christ. Brainerd’s preaching was always followed by an overwhelming sense of conviction among the Indians. People would come running to him asking ‘what they should do to be saved.’
Though the living conditions were trying, David never shied and stopped in the race he was running. However, the rigors of his traveling ministry speeded the advance of his tuberculosis. Eventually, his longing to be with Christ was fulfilled on October 19 in 1747, at the very young age of 29.
