Through his preaching and writing, Murray slowly became an international figure. Here Murray honed his preaching skills and led a holiness revival (historian Walter Hollenweger considers Murray a forerunner of Pentecostalism). His passion for Christian education prompted him to found a succession of institutions, such as the Bible and Prayer Union (which encouraged Bible study and prayer) and the Huguenot Seminary, where young women could prepare for educational work.įrom Worcester, Murray accepted a more prestigious preaching position in Cape Town and then, seven years later, the pastorate of a church in Wellington, a more rural parish. When he returned to South Africa, he took a position in Worcester, where he became involved with the newly opened Theological Seminary of Stellenbosch. A bout of illness so weakened him, he was forced to return to England for rest. Constant travel to distant parishes and outreach to the unevangelized soon depleted his strength. 'And not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for him to fill full of his Spirit and his love.' School of prayerĪt age 21, Murray received his first appointment as the only minister in the Orange River Sovereignty, a 50,000-square-mile territory in remote South Africa. 'May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God's presence,' was his prayer. Sixty years of ministry in the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, more than 200 books and tracts on Christian spirituality and ministry, extensive social work, and the founding of educational institutions-all these were outward signs of the inward grace that Murray experienced by continually casting himself on Christ. This 'casting of the self' became Murray's life theme.

… I have cast myself on Christ.' Timeline In a letter to his parents, Murray wrote, 'Your son has been born again. Not until he had finished his general studies and begun his theological training, in the Netherlands, did he experience a conversion of heart. 'May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God's presence.'Īs a young man, Andrew Murray wanted to be a minister, but it was a career choice rather than an act of faith.

Andrew Murray by Vance Christie