Leadership Timeline 1

* Dwight Lyman Moody was born February 5, 1837 and was the sixth child of Edwin and Betsy Moody in Northfield, Massachusetts. Moody left home at the age of 17 in search for a job because of his boring life on the farm. Moody quickly learned there were no jobs available, but soon converted to Christianity in D L Moody served and helped many organizations like the YMCA and later started Sunday Schools, Moody School’s, and the Moody Church and Bible Institute. 2

* Early Years Salvation Service Maturity War Ministry Organization Legacy * | present--| * DL Moody Quotes: A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian…. And most of all, his family ought to know. God never made a promise that was too good to be true. Faith makes all things possible…love makes things all easy. Where I was born and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest. 3

* Dwight often fell prey to mischief and disobedience and did not attend school beyond the fifth grade. D. L. had eight siblings and they attended church often. His father died at an early age with his mother to care for he and his siblings, but as he became older Moody became interested in the big city of Boston. Moody left home at an early age and was homeless and unemployed so he left to move with his Uncle Samuel. Moody showed interest in ethnic diversity, lectures, and ball games. Moody eventually joined the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Moody’s uncle Samuel took him on as a shoe salesman in Boston, but under two conditions: one that D. L. be obedient and two, that he attend Mt. Vernon Congregational Church. 1 However, D. L. was raised in a Unitarian Church which the denied the full divinity of Christ and did not totally believe in the need of salvation from sin A Passion For Souls The Life of D. L. Moody. Lyle W. Dorsett Foreword by Joseph Stowell Chicago Press, pages 46-50

* While in Mt. Vernon Moody became a member of a Sunday school class led by Edward Kimball. On, April 21, 1855, Mr. Kimball visited Moody at the Holton Shoe Store and spoke to Moody about how much Christ loved him and how Christ needed him to reciprocate that love. D. L. Moody immediately received Kimball’s invitation and begin to accept the love of Christ and devoted his life to serving God. Soon thereafter; Moody was baptized, but questioned his membership with the deacons at the Mt. Vernon Church.. 2 However, Moody began to pray and study the bible more, but had the zeal to be an evangelist. Moody grew tiresome of Boston and eventually decided to move away. Betsy wanted Moody to come back home, but that was not what Moody really wanted or needed at the time so on September 11, 1856, Moody arrived in Chicago, IL Ibid, p biomoody11.html: D. L. Moody Chronology of Life-Christian Biography Resource page 1.

* Moody moved to Chicago with no job and nowhere to stay, but realized Chicago was the gateway from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Michigan. The were thousands of jobs for skilled and unskilled employment. However; Calvin Holton, a relative, helped Moody land a job with the Wiswalls. The Wiswalls owned a shoe store just as the Holton’s did in Boston. Moody wanted to make more money for himself and began to love money more than God. Moody soon became a member of Plymouth Congregation Church, but was often tempted with gambling prostitution, and alcohol. Moody would go to saloon and rooming houses to seek out young men to join Sunday school. He was a very successful shoe salesman, but was discouraged by the way the poorest of the poor were treated. D. L. took over the Sands and conformed it into a Sunday school, but needed aid to support the three hundred plus membership. John V. Farwell was moved by Moody’s Sunday school words and gave financial assistance to Moody’s mission school. In , Moody and Farwell helped organize the Chicago YMCA.4 Later, Moody started a Sunday school class for unruly girls, but wanted to take on ministry full time. He eventually gave up his thriving life a successful prosperous shoe salesman Page.aspx?id=64 page 1.

* On August 28, 1862, Moody married Emma Charlotte Revell who was a successful teacher and administrator. Moody asked Emma to oversee the ministry to train women for evangelistic outreach and missionary work. 5 Moody’s Mission Sunday school flourished and more and more youth became members. The YMCA was practical school of theology with seminars and evangelism, but Moody thought he needed to reach more people than ever before. As these classes grew Moody was urged to begin his own church. In February 28, 1864, the Illinois Street Church opened its own building with Moody as the pastor. On October 24, 1864 Emma and Dwight birth their first child, Emma Reynolds Ibid, https// Ministries, p. 2

* The United States changed politically and Union forces mobilized volunteers in Camp Douglas. Moody sought the war as a evangelistic opportunity. He along with others created the Committee on Devotional Meetings to minister to the troops in the 72 nd Illinois Volunteer Regiment. 6 Moody ministered on battlefields to both Union and Confederate soldiers. Moody often ministered to soldiers on the front lines and around the clock until he was compelled to sleep. His main objective was to save souls for Christ. The Civil War provided Moody with the invaluable lesson that all Christians can work together in saving souls and that the clergy were not the only one who can get kingdom work done. General O. O. Howard helped Moody throughout the years of the Civil War to save souls for Christ. 7 Moreover, the Civil War help make Chicago a religious center of America and challenged ordained and lay persons work for the common good of Christ Ibid, Ministries, p. 2 7, Ibid, A Passion for Souls p

* As Moody moved forward in his ministry the Chicago fired occurred on October 8, 1871 and forced him to re-evaluate his ministry. So, Moody believed the Lord was asking him to preach his word worldwide. D. L. used his evangelistic approach and spread the gospel in New York, Liverpool, England, and many other places. This worldwide revival lasted for two years and Moody specifically evangelized in the United States of America. However, Moody settled back in Northfield, MA. By the later 1890’s Northfield was known as a conference center for Christian Workers. 9

* In 1886 the Chicago Evangelization Society was established and later renamed the Moody Bible Institute. In 1894 The Bible Institute Colportage Association was founded to distribute books which attempted to place a series of Christian literature around the world. Over ninety titles and nearly one an half million books were sold by Moody continued to attempt to bridge the gap between Christina, liberals, and conservatives. In 1896, Moody ‘s mother died at the age of 91. Over the next several ears Moody's health began to fade due to heart disease. Moody kept this condition hidden for years until the pain was noticeable by many of his colleagues. Moody eventually died on December 22, Emma carried on Moody’s hard work at the Northfield Seminary. 10

* D. L. Moody left an enduring legacy and became a prominent person that rose up against all odds for those who did not know or hungered to learn more about Christ or being Christians. Moody’s tireless work in saving lost souls proved to be more than a notion. Moody Evening Schools, Graduate School, Broadcasting Radio, and Theological Seminary have all been established and opened since his death. His Bible tours and revivals were unmatched during those times and his sermons and prayers saved many who were lost. Moody saved and gave money to those who needed it, but most of all for the Kingdom. 11

1. A Passion for Souls The Life of D. L. Moody. Lyle W. Dorsett.Foreword by Joseph Stowell. Chicago Press D.L Moody on Spiritual Leadership by Steve Miller. Moody Publishers Chicago, Il quote.com/quotes/authors/d/dwight_l_moody.html. 12