For many Southern Baptists, Charlotte “Lottie” Diggs Moon is the missionary who put the Shandong province of China on the map.
Born to a wealthy family in Virginia in 1840, Moon left behind the comforts and security of life in the United States and was appointed to China in 1873. An icon for international missions, Moon served in Shandong and Northern China for 40 years, from 1873 until her death in 1912.
According to a biographical article from the Christian History Institute, the Chinese didn’t respond well to Moon at first.
“When she offered them home-baked cookies they refused them, thinking they were poisoned. Gradually, she broke down barriers. She used her knitting and sewing skills to interest Chinese women,” the article states.
She eventually became accepted by them though. Moon was one of the first missionaries who, according to Catherine Allen’s book, “The New Lottie Moon Story,” ministered to the Chinese by dressing and eating like them and speaking their language to reach them to share the gospel.
Moon was so devoted to the Chinese that she didn’t decide to take her first furlough until she had been in the country for 11 years.
“As she was about to leave for the United States, men from Pintow arrived on foot, pleading with her to come work in their city where many were eager to hear the gospel,” an article from the Christian History Institute states. “Lottie immediately abandoned her planned furlough, moved to Pintow and led many people to the Jesus who had changed her life.”
Although she loved her biological family and the American church, China became home for Moon. During her 40-year stay in China, she only took three furloughs.
An article by Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, described Moon’s service to China during war, famine, revolution and disease.
“It was her absolute devotion to the Chinese people that ended her missionary service and her life. During a famine in 1911-12, at the expense of her own health, she used her personal funds to provide food for the Chinese people,” Lance wrote.
Moon died of starvation in 1912 on her way home to the United States. She was 72 years old and weighed 50 pounds. According to “The New Lottie Moon Story,” her last words were “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
In 1888, Moon wrote to the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU — which had been organized earlier that year) asking for them to raise funds to send more missionaries. According to the Southern Baptist Historical Society, the women raised enough money in their Christmas offering that year to provide three additional missionaries.
Today Southern Baptists still give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to support 5,607 international missionaries who serve 1,473 people groups around the world. In 2002, more than $115 million was given. For 2003, the national goal is $133 million.
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