John Hands
John Hands biography, is one of the
Lesser-known missionaries who served Lord
In Karnataka for more than three decades.
John finished his studies at Gosport,
England. He was ordained for the Kannada
Mission in India by the London Missionary
Society (LMS) in 1809.
Immediately he set out for India
And reached Madras on 5th May 1810.
He then proceeded to Bellari
And established a mission station which
Became his center of ministerial work
For the next 30 years.
Biography:
Birth: 05-12-1780
Home Calling: 30-06-1864
Native Place: Dublin
Country: Ireland
Place of Vision: Karnataka, India
He commenced the Kannada language study
And simultaneously started compiling a
Dictionary. He also published a Kannada
Grammar book, which is still referred
To, for Kannada literary works.
His ultimate aim was to provide the Kannada
People with the Bible in their own language.
John particularly believed in education
In one’s mother tongue. Hence,
In 1811, he established and popularized the
Kannada Medium schools in and around Bellari.
He also established a church where services
Were conducted in Kannada.
John Hands ministry in India
As the ministry was flourishing,
John lost his wife Sarah Silversmith within a
Couple of years of his arrival
In India. John too became very weak due
To the intense ministry burden
And unsuitable weather conditions.
Yet, at that time he took up the
Responsibility of translating the Bible into
Kannada. Assisted by a few other
Missionaries, John completed the Kannada
Bible translation and successfully published
It in 1831.
But due to severe illness, he left
For London in 1835 to recuperate.
From there he went to St.
Petersburg, Russia to minister among the
Anglo-American church for a couple of years.
Although he couldn’t completely recover,
His heart longed to come back
To Bellari to continue the mission.
Hence he returned to Bellari in 1838.
There he established a printing press
That revolutionized the Christian literature
Ministry in the next decades.
However, ill-health compelled him
To leave India in 1841. In London,
He continued to work as an advisor
For a missionary society till his last
Breath.
Beloved, are you willing to be hidden
And God be glorified through your ministry?
Take away from the article
“Lord, may I be less known and You be greatly
Glorified among the people.
Amen!”
Word of Prayer
Thank you folks and requesting
To please visit our website frequently
To view new Christian articles,
Lyrics and quotes.
Visit our Instagram page :
Onewaytointernity, and our facebook page:
Fb/Onewaytheonlyway
Please visit for more christian stuff :