‘If I were you I’d buy a ticket for a boat going on the longest journey you can find and pray to know where to get off. If God doesn’t want you on that boat he’s perfectly able to stop you . . . or make the ship go anywhere in the world.’
Jackie Pullinger of Croydon, England nodded, sensing God’s affirmation to this advice from her pastor.
For months Jackie’s dream of becoming a missionary in Africa had been stymied. No mission society, school, or broadcasting company took interest in her, a twenty-two-year-old music teacher.
And yet the dream she’d held since age five remained as strong as ever—stronger, in fact, upon developing a close, personal relationship with Jesus while attending the Royal College of Music.
Jackie soon implemented her pastor’s advice and set sail from London in 1966 with no destination in mind and only ten pounds in her pocket. When she reached Hong Kong, Jackie sensed God telling her, this is the place.
Hong Kong, 1960s
She began exploring the island and came upon the Walled City, a place of lawlessness and squalor, open sewers and rats, gangs, drug addicts, and prostitutes. Thirty-some thousand people on six acres.
No building codes enforced .
Years prior the area had been occupied by the Chinese imperial garrison. “It was omitted from the lease of 1898 in which China ceded Hong Kong to Britain. Neither government had taken responsibility for it” [1]. When the garrison disbanded the underclass moved in, unchecked by any police presence.
In spite of the filth and stench, Jackie felt happy there because in her mind’s eye she already saw the darkness lifting. She saw the kingdom of God.
No trash pick-up either.
To support herself, Jackie took a teaching position in a government school, but she also worked at a school in the Walled City, run by a missionary.
Jackie turned a few shabby rooms into a youth club where teenagers could play ping pong and darts. She began to build relationships with them, many of whom were already heroin or opium addicts.
Preaching about Jesus proved ineffective. But Jackie noticed people watching how she lived. So she focused on putting her faith in action.
Jackie shared her rice with an old woman, took a gang member to the hospital after a fight, waited in line overnight to register a young girl for school, went to court with a gang member who said he’d been framed, and more [2].
Many expressed appreciation for her kindness and generosity but no lives were changed—at first.
One night thugs ransacked the youth club. Benches, skateboards, and the games equipment were destroyed, the walls and floor smeared with sewage. But a gang leader who respected Jackie assigned guards to protect the youth club from future damage.
Another leader asked Jackie to help his gang members quit drugs. Sober members made better dealers, he explained.
“I’ll only help them to follow Jesus, reject narcotics, and not participate in organized crime,” she told him.
And yet the leader continued to support Jackie and even released from the gang those boys who became Christians [3].
One day while walking through the Walled City, Jackie spotted Christopher, a boy from her youth group. She asked him to carry her accordion.
As they walked, they talked. Christopher confessed he couldn’t become a Christian because he wasn’t good enough. Jackie made clear that wasn’t a prerequisite, and the boy became a Jesus-follower that day [4].
Others soon made the choice to become Christians, including one of the youth-club guards. But some of these new believers lived in opium dens, making their transition to sober-living especially difficult.
One by one they came to live in Jackie’s home, where they received compassionate care and faith-filled prayer while processing through withdrawal. For many their transition was neither painful or traumatic [5].
Of course, Jackie’s apartment quickly became crowded. But through gifts from other Christians and government resources she was able to rent more apartments. It wasn’t long before dozens of such living quarters became hundreds and each quickly filled to capacity.
More workers joined in the work, including former addicts. They established additional homes for teenagers, women, and girls.
In 1981 Jackie founded the St. Stephen’s Society, to provide accountability for the growing ministry.
In 1985, the Hong Kong Government gave the society a complex of buildings divided into apartments. Hundreds more displaced persons—the poor, the elderly, and the infirm—were given places to live.
In the 1990s, the government offered another property to the St. Stephen’s Society. Buildings were erected to house two hundred men as they completed the five-phase withdrawal program, from detoxification to re-entering society as productive citizens.
The St. Stephen Society continues to function to this day, “rescuing hundreds of young people from a life of misery on the streets” [6]—not only in Hong Kong but in other countries as well.
Jackie, now eighty years old, continues to serve.
[1] https://mycharisma.com/charisma-archive/one-woman-vs-the-dragon/
[2] https://www.ststephenssociety.com/about-us
[3] https://thechurch.org.au/celebrating-jackie-pullinger-of-hong-kong/
[4] https://www.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=article&id=26751
[5] https://thechurch.org.au/celebrating-jackie-pullinger-of-hong-kong/
[6] https://blogs.georgefox.edu/dlgp/jackie-pullinger-loving-the-unlovely/
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com (2); http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.rawpixel.com.
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This woman reminds me of a line from “The Impossible Dream” – “to be willing to march into hell for heavenly cause.” How inspiring – and convicting! Here I am, 71 years old and looking forward to reaching the finish line, and through people like Jackie, the Lord keeps reminding me, “Forget the finish line for now, there’s still work to do.” Thanks so much for sharing this, Nancy.
Jackie really did march into hell for a heavenly cause, didn’t she. And you are so right, Annie–there’s still work to do. We can remain useful to God our entire lives because we can always pray!
Amen, Nancy! The most powerful ministry of all.
what God continues to do through those committed to him , always ends up to be an amazing tapestry. Bigger than any story we could make up. Different than we would orchestrate…these kind of things give me hope when praying for those seemingly beyond hope in our own sphere of influence.
Amen, Gary. And we can add Jackie Pullinger and the St. Stephen’s Society to our prayer lists also!
Nancy, the story of Jackie moved me to tears. One, because as a young girl, I dreamed of being a missionary. How often have we left everything we know,…our families, jobs, and security, to step foot on a boat (or just out our door?) and say, “Use me, God.” It inspires me to do my part; even if I can’t cross an ocean, I can cross my street. I need to stay available, Nancy. I will pray for Jackie and those being served. God love her.
Amen, Karla! We just need to stay available and God will use us wherever we are. With you I will be praying for Jackie, the staff and volunteers of the St. Stephen Society, and those they serve.
❣️🤗🙏
Yes…I have a file of stories and several in that file are written by you…thanks
An thank YOU for sharing that bit of encouragement, Gary!
When we follow God’s call obeying his leading, amazing things can happen. I read Jackie’s story before. She is an amazing sister in Christ
Amazing is right, Matt! I had NOT heard of Jackie until recently. It was an enthralling exercise to research her life and ministry!
What an inspirational story. It seems that we are judged by our deeds more often than our words. Jackie helped so many through her compassion and selfless spirit. This is just how Jesus wants all of us to reflect his love and grace. Great story❤️
Amen, Kathy. “All people will know we are Christ’s disciples if we have love for one another” (John 13:35). May we demonstrate love everywhere we go!
What an inspiration Jackie was and is, Nancy! I so love your posts that highlight how other Christians answered God’s call in their lives so boldly and courageously. So many lives saved and rescued by this one woman’s commitment to Jesus and her love for the hurting. Thanks for sharing Jackie’s marvelous story here. Blessings!
Couldn’t agree with you more, Martha. I’m glad you appreciate these mini-biography posts. They inspire me as I research and always pray they inspire others also. May we each live like Jackie–boldly and courageously!
Jackie’s story brought me to tears…a life fully surrendered to God! Nancy, these stories you share are powerful. I agree that she walked into hell for a heavenly cause! She definitely has given her life totally for the cause of Christ! Amen!
You’re right, Pam. Jackie has certainly lived a surrendered life–a stellar example for us all!
What an inspiration Jackie is! To be so selfless, to go literally where God was telling her to go, is living her faith out loud. I appreciate the examples you continue to find–I often think that American Christianity is a bit too entitled without the humility Jackie showed these people in Hong Kong. Thanks for this wonderful reminder of living in the power of the Holy Spirit all for the glory of God, and seeing how He will work through us.
I’m so glad you found inspiration in Jackie’s story, Dayle. She has indeed lived in the power of the Spirit for the glory of God! I pray we may do the same. (I agree that we in America are often too entitled and lack humility.)
This story reminded me to learn more about St. Stephen. We saw several cathedrals in his name on our Danube River cruise, and I remember St. Stephen’s Green in the center of Dublin. He must have promoted a Christian life much in the same way as Jackie.
I believe St. Stephen is the first martyr of Christianity mentioned in scripture (Acts 6 & 7), a wise man, full of the Spirit, and one of seven chosen to care for the widows. The sermon he preached to the Sanhedrin is a wonderfully concise retelling of Israel’s history and the necessity of Christ’s coming into this world. St, Stephen is a worthy role model for us all!
How does a young lady travel to a foreign country with barely enough money for a meal, park herself in the middle of a rat-infested slum of undesirables, and begin missionary work by herself-God. Thank you for sharing Jackie’s amazing story, Nancy. I was not familiar with it. 🙂
You are so right, Nancy. Only by the grace of God in her life was Jackie able to accomplish such heroic, self-sacrificing deeds. I wasn’t familiar with her story either until just recently, and found it highly compelling and meaningful. I’m glad you did too.
Nancy,
The power of God at work. It’s all in the fruit snd longevity.
Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Jackie has allowed the power of God to work through her to accomplish astounding things.
What an amazing and inspiring story! God at work through and in people devoted to him.
Amen, Linda! So glad you found inspiration here.
What a beautiful story, Nancy! This reminds me of the contemporary worship song by Don Moen, “God will Make a Way.” Your story teller format, one that never calls attention to you, is also inspiring. I could read these all day!
I’m so glad you find inspiration in these mini-biographies, David. I well remember that worship song by Don Moen, a selection from his powerful musical, God with Us. It has ministered to me again and again!
wow what a story and a witness!! inspirational
Jackie Pullinger certainly inspires me too, Jean!
I had never heard this story before. Wow. It ties in perfectly with the devotional I read yesterday from “365 Daily Devotions & Prayers for Women”.
The prayer was:
“Lord, I pray that my actions will always be consistent with my beliefs. I know that my deeds speak more loudly than my words. May every step that I take reflect Your truth and love, and may others be drawn to You because of my words and my deeds. Amen.”
I will certainly be praying for Jackie Pullinger and the St. Stephen’s Society. Thanks for sharing her amazing journey.
You are so right–that prayer DOES tie in perfectly with Jackie’s story. Thank you, Cheri, for sharing and joining those who pray for Jackie and the St. Stephen’s Society.
Wow! I love these stories of ‘faith in action’. What a well-lived life. What a legacy in formation.
Couldn’t agree more, RH! I’m so glad you love these “faith in action” stories. I greatly enjoy researching about these heroes.
What an inspiring story. ❤
Isn’t it though? I’m amazed at how God led, equipped, strengthened, and empowered this young woman for an impossible task! ONLY GOD!!
I love these true stories of the saints and their faith–moving mountains. Thank you Nancy!! To me–this reveals God–in all HIs glory.
You’re welcome, Katie. I love researching these stories, but of course the icing on the cake is when others find them encouraging and inspiring also! God in all his glory certainly IS on display, as heroes and heroines like Jackie exercise their faith in extraordinary ways.
Amen!! Amen!! 🙂
Such a remarkable journey of faith. This narrative is my first encounter with Jackie Pullinger. Nancy, blessings for sharing her testament of faith.
Isn’t Jackie remarkable? I’m so glad you found her story inspiring, Richard. I can’t remember now how I came across her name–perhaps on one of those perpetual calendars focused on church history.
Amen. We all need to join in with praise for the goodness we experience.