As a college student I was inspired and challenged by the life of J. Hudson Taylor. He was a medical student in England in the mid-1850s, who against great odds moved to Shanghai to share the message and compassion of Jesus Christ. Taylor’s vision was to influence every province of that remote nation. Over the years to follow, his organization did indeed found hospitals and churches throughout China.
Fast forward to September, 2011, when Taylor’s great grandson, Hudson Taylor IV representing the same organization, spoke in Kansas City. A powerful oratory he delivered in flawless Mandarin. More profoundly, I was stuck again by the power of role models. Taylor continues to be extremely influential in my personal life. And a high priority for me is to be formative toward those who will follow me. And so the domino impact of role models continues.