David Brainerd

David Brainerd (1718-1747) was an American missionary to the Native American peoples of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Despite suffering from poor health throughout his life, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to spreading the Gospel and serving the needs of those around him.

Brainerd was born in Haddam, Connecticut, and experienced a deep spiritual awakening at the age of 21, which led him to pursue a career as a missionary. He was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in 1742 and began his work among the Native Americans in 1743.

Brainerd's ministry was marked by a deep compassion for the people he served, as well as a profound sense of his own sinfulness and need for redemption. He endured great physical and emotional hardship, including exposure to the elements, hunger, and loneliness, but remained steadfast in his commitment to the Gospel.

Brainerd's journal, which he kept throughout his ministry, provides a vivid account of his experiences and his deep spiritual struggles. It has been widely read and admired for its honesty, intensity, and the insights it offers into the life of a committed missionary.

Brainerd died at the age of 29, having contracted tuberculosis during his travels. His legacy, however, lived on through the inspiration he provided to many others who followed in his footsteps, as well as through the impact he had on the communities he served. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential early American missionaries, whose life and work continue to inspire Christians around the world.