Charlotte (Lottie) Diggs Moon was born on December 12, 1840, in Albemarle County, Virginia. In December 1858, at the age of 18, she gave her life to Jesus Christ, placing all 4 ft, 3 inches of her frame, faith, and future in Him. While at the time, the notion of a single woman going out on the international mission field was improbable… unthinkable even, a particular preacher’s message and encouragement planted a seed in her heart and mind that would ultimately result in a grateful life surrendered to His divine providence.
In February 1873, after hearing a particular sermon on missions, Lottie clearly heard God’s calling on her life and on
July 7, 1873, was appointed by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention – now known as the International Mission Board (imb.org) – and would go on, until her death in 1912, to serve the people of China, first in
Tengchow and then in Pingtu.
Primarily serving as a teacher for the Chinese women and children, Lottie’s impact far surpassed any gender, generational, or geographical limitations. Dr. T. W. Ayers would say of her, “[Lottie Moon] is one woman who will have her crown covered with stars. She is one of the most unselfish saints God ever made.”
At the age of 72, she passed away, leaving behind very little personal property and a bank account with barely $250 in
inflated local currency. She hadn’t had enough to even get back to Virginia, she had given so much away to those around her in need.
After her death, Southern Baptists would name the annual Christmas offering taken for international missions in her honor. Last year, for example, that offering raised almost $200 million to support missionaries and Gospel projects around the
world. From Danny Akin’s 10 Who Changed the World:
Following her death, fellow missionaries came in possession of her Bible. On the flyleaf, words were found which she had
Danny Akin’s 10 Who Changed the World
penned that remain to this day a perpetual encouragement to those who go for Christ to the nations, “O, that I could consecrate myself, soul and body, to His service forever; O, that I could give myself up to Him, so as never more to attempt to be my own or to have any will or affection improper for those conformed to Him.
For such a little lady, what an incredibly huge legacy!