A Challenging Childhood
Dwight L. Moody, born in 1837 in Northfield, Massachusetts, faced a challenging childhood after losing his father at the age of four. Despite his limited education, Moody's journey to faith began when he moved to Boston at 17 to work in his uncle's shoe store. It was there that his Sunday school teacher, Edward Kimball, shared the Gospel with him. Moody later recounted, 'I had not felt I had a soul till then.'
A Profound Turning Point
Moody's conversion on April 21, 1855, marked a profound turning point. He emerged from his room one morning, feeling as if the sun shone brighter and he was 'in love with all creation.' Initially rejected by his church for lacking biblical knowledge, he persisted, and a year later, he was accepted as a member.
Ministry in Chicago
In 1856, Moody moved to Chicago, where he started a Sunday school for poor children, which rapidly grew to over 1,000 attendees. His dedication was so profound that even President Abraham Lincoln visited. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed Moody's church and home, prompting him to renew his commitment to preaching, as he reflected, 'I have never since dared to give an audience a week to think of their salvation.'
A Lasting Legacy
Moody's ministry extended beyond Chicago, as he partnered with Ira D. Sankey to bring the message of Jesus to the UK, Ireland, and across the United States. His work established lasting institutions like the Moody Bible Institute, impacting countless lives. Through these endeavors, Moody always credited Jesus for the transformation and success of his ministry.
