Strategy in 1786

Did you know that in 1786 a group of men who who made up the Eclectic Society discussed how to evangelise the colony of Botany Bay? These men, including Hymn writer John Newton were influential in the appointment of Richard Johnson as military chaplain to the First Fleet. Unfortunately, records of this meeting are no longer extant, although letters do provide some of the background information. We do know that Newton wrote a Hymn for Johnson entitled 'Going to Botany Bay'

The Lord, who sends thee hence, will be thine aid;
In vain at the lion, Danger, roars;
His arm and love shall keep thee undismayed
On tempest-tossed seas, and savage shores.

Go, bear the Saviour's name to lands unknown,
Tell to the Southern world His wondrous grace;
An energy Divine thy words shall own,
And draw their untaught hearts to seek his face.

Many in quest of gold or empty fame
Would compass earth, or venture near the poles;
But how much nobler thy reward and aim-
To spread His praise, and win immortal souls!

This missionary zeal did not stop at having Johnson appointed. In records of the Eclectic Society from March 18, 1799 they discussed 'What methods can we use most effectually to promote the knoweldge of the gospel among the heathen?'. This meeting was directly responsible for the formation of the Church Missionary Society.

Under God, these men prayerfully and with consideration planned - they thought strategically about how and where to preach the gospel and then got on with the task of doing it.

Isn't it good to be reminded that we in the 21st century west didn't invent strategic thinking!