Missionary John Flynn removed his hat to wipe his forehead with a kerchief, then leaned back in his camel’s saddle to drink deeply from his canteen. Neither strategy offered much relief from the heat of the Outback in South Australia, but John scarcely minded.
Camels of the Outback ready to transport wool and other goods.
As a recent 1910 graduate from Melbourne University (with a theology degree), he was living his dream, planted within his heart by God himself—a dream so out-sized, so impossible, some people would find it laughable:
“Your assignment, should you accept it, is to provide for the spiritual, social, and medical needs of people in the Outback.”
That assignment came through the Presbyterian Church General Assembly, to serve in Beltana, a small settlement of less than 200 people–with the surrounding region, about the size of the British Isles.
He’d come to love the Outback in spite of multiple challenges: no communication between far-spread sheep ranchers and miners, no radio service, no medical help for hundreds of miles, and the arid climate with sweltering summers.
Undaunted by these factors, John had set about fulfilling his assignment. In 1912 he presented his report to the Assembly. They then formed the Australian Inland Mission and delegated John as “the first superintendent, responsible for the northern half of the continent” [1].
Mission impossible indeed!
His staff included one nurse who managed the single nursing station, and one traveling “patrol padre” who ministered as he could—from conducting worship services, weddings and funerals, to offering medical aid, and assisting ranchers with their work [2].
John’s team also received five camels for transportation and as beasts of burden.
Within a year, John had overseen the construction of the first Outback hospital, paid for by a generous friend. Always, he was traveling, helping in any way he could, and sharing about the wonderful life-change Jesus offers.
Young John Flynn
He considered his impossible mission an honor:
“If Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Son of Almighty God; if He was in reality ‘God with us,’ showing us the Father; if it is a fact that we only sojourn on this earth for a while, and then appear before the Creator of the universe . . . what more honourable [sic] calling can a man follow than getting his fellows to realise [sic] this fact and act upon it” [3]?
In 1917, John received a letter from Clifford Peel, a lieutenant in the Australia Air Corps. He’d left medical school to help Britain fight against Germany.
Australian bombers, World War 1
Clifford explained he’d read about John’s work and suggested aeroplanes might be useful in providing medical care to remote areas. John too became enthused about the idea.
Had Clifford survived the war, he undoubtedly would have sought to join John in his work. But weeks before Germany’s surrender, his plane disappeared over France.
It was up to John to bring Clifford’s idea to life—a challenge that would take ten years. First was the cost—hundreds of dollars for just one plane, not to mention pilots, fuel, mechanics, landing strips and more.
Another impossible mission.
But for John that word impossible just fueled his determination. He launched The Inlander Magazine that highlighted Outback conditions and needs, suggesting ways that life could be improved. Thousands of people donated to the cause [4].
In 1928, the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) became a reality with a rented plane from a new airline, Qantas. Within the first year, Doctor St. Vincent Welch visited 255 patients [5].
One of first Qantas airplanes
Of course, such visits would have been impossible without a way for people to contact the FDS. John had inspired inventor Alfred Traeger to solve that problem. He designed a pedal-operated generator to power radio receivers [6].
During World War II, FDS provided medical care to troops and civilians in Australia and other areas of the Pacific region. It soon became apparent the ministry greatly strengthened Australia’s position against the Japanese [7].
Medical care wasn’t John’s only dream. His vision included support for the children being homeschooled in isolated areas, who rarely had contact with other children or teachers.
School of the Air was established in 1951, using the FDS radio network. Children could interact with others, ask questions of their teacher, and supplement their correspondence lessons [8].
John Flynn died of cancer that same year. Imagine his pleasure to know the Royal Flying Doctor Service (renamed in 1955) still functions today.
In fact, his impossible mission has grown to impossible size. More than 900 patients receive care each day in one of the 22,000+ RFDS clinics, or by aeromedical transport in one of eighty-three planes, based in twenty-three locations, as well as many by telehealth consults [9]. In addition, School of the Air still ministers to Outback families.
Perhaps even John Flynn would marvel at the outcome of his impossible mission. Then again, he’d probably just smile and softly quote Matthew 19:26:
[1] https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/people/john-flynn-obe/
[2] Ibid.
[3] https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2021/10/13/the-royal-flying-doctor-service-and-the-rev-john-flynn/
[4] https://vision.org.au/read/articles/episode-247-john-flynn/
[5] Ibid.
[6] https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/news/how-alfred-traeger-gave-outback-its-voice/
[7] https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/the-history-of-the-royal-flying-doctor-service;
https://vision.org.au/read/articles/episode-247-john-flynn
[8] https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/about-the-rfds/history/john-flynn-bio/
[9] Ibid.
Other Sources:
https://www.chr.org.au/schools-content/2.-John-Flynn
https://didyouknow.org.au/johnflynn/
Image credits: http://www.picryl,com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.picryl.com (3); http://www.flickr.com; http://www.needpix.com.
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Amen. With God, all is possible. Have a blessed day! 🙂
It HAS been a lovely, blessed day, Melissa, starting with quiet time on the deck, putting the finishing touches on this post, and responding to blogger-friends. Peaceful and restful!
Thank you, Nancy, for yet another inspiring story of a man after God’s own heart. What a legacy John left! What sounded like mission impossible was made possible because of his belief that with God, all things are possible. May the Lord bless you always!
I love the way John approached his impossible mission with a “can-do” attitude, accomplishing what he could in the moment in order to achieve it. John could easily have given up, given the immensity of his task. It’s a lesson I want to embrace!
Yet another beautiful illustration of Matthew 19:26, Nancy. 🧡
Thank you, Mitch. John Flynn is an inspiration, isn’t he!
He is indeed.
A great story, Nancy.
Thank you Dwight. I greatly enjoyed learning about John Flynn myslef!
You are welcome!
People like John Flynn are absolutely amazing. I enjoyed reading about all the people in the Outback who were helped. Flynn’s energy to expand the program’s services as much as he did must have been fueled by God. Great bio, Nancy. 🙂
I too was amazed by John’s story. God most certainly filled his heart with passion and vision for the work, as well as love and compassion for the people.
With Christ all things are possible! What an inspiring story.
I’m so glad you found inspiration here, Linda!
Your article kept me interested throughout. The title seems appropriate but we know all things are possible with God. I always enjoy your stories
Thank you, Kathy. It’s always good to hear that a piece holds readers’ interest, and I’m delighted you enjoy these hero-stories. As a matter of fact, I’m working on a collection of them to turn into a book of 52 devotionals (one for each week of the year). For several months I’ve been fine-tuning the notes and bibliography–a time-consuming step on its own! But soon I’ll move on to adding scripture references for each story and a few journal-prompt questions, for those interested in spiritual reflection. We’ll see where God takes this!
May God bless your endeavors. I’ve thought about doing the same but am afraid of rejection. Do you have a publisher?
Rejection is part of the game! Numerous authors have received numerous rejections only to become highly successful later. Among them: Alex Haley, Madeleine L’Engle, Mary Higgins Clark, John Grisham, and Debbie MacComber. As for having a publisher, no I do not. Hopefully I’ll be ready to start my search soon!
God’s blessings in your search. For now, I’m OK just writing this way. Maybe my children can publish my works someday.
Nancy, I love when you share stories of the unsung heroes of the faith…missionaries. All things are possible with God!
I’m so glad you enjoy these stories, Pam. I actually enjoy researching and writing them!
I love these true stories of God’s work accomplishing the impossible through His servants. I’m so glad you share these, Nancy!
Thank you, Patty. I’m delighted you enjoy these hero-stories. As I told Kathy of “A Time to Share” (above), I’m working on a collection of them to turn into a book of 52 devotionals (one for each week of the year). For several months I’ve been fine-tuning the notes and bibliography–a time-consuming step on its own! But soon I’ll move on to adding scripture references for each story and a few journal-prompt questions, for those interested in spiritual reflection. We’ll see where God takes this!
How exciting!!
Thank you, Patty!
Wonderfully written, Nancy! What an inspiration and a big reminder that with God all things are possible.
Thank you, Dana. I too found fresh inspiration while researching and writing John Flynn’s story. Praise God for the wonders HE can accomplish and his kindness to include us in the process.
It is amazing!
Nancy, this was so wonderful to read as an Australian. The RFDS is something that is extremely valuable here for those who live in the outback.
I didn’t know you were from Australia, Manu! I’ve never visited your fascinating country, but have certainly enjoyed learning about it over the years. Learning about John Flynn was a joy to me also, seeing how God multiplied many times over the work he began. Such a fruitful harvest!!
I love your inspiring stories of people of faith. You have a real gift to share these bios. Thank you!!
I’m so glad, Jean. It’s your enthusiasm for these stories and that of others that has inspired me to try putting 52 of them together in a book, to create a once-a-week collection of devotionals. (Maybe I’ve mentioned this to you before–I can’t remember!) As I told Kathy and Patty above, for several months I’ve been fine-tuning the notes and bibliography–a time-consuming step on its own! But soon I’ll move on to adding scripture references for each story and a few journal-prompt questions, for those interested in spiritual reflection. We’ll see where God takes this!
I am so excited for you and this book. Please let me know how it is going and how I can help get the word out when it is ready to be launched.
Thank you, Jean! I’ll keep you posted!
You make HIStory come alive 🤗
Oh, thank you Lisa. That’s so encouraging! Praise God for leading me to such lively stories as John Flynn’s, and helping me to bring these lives to the page/screen.
Nothing is impossible with God. Praise God for every seed of faith to do the impossible that he plants in our hearts!
Amen Dora and well said!
Matthew 9:26 was already in my head as I read your first few paragraphs. What awes me is one individual’s ability to take on a vision a step at a time, with no guarantee of success. I got stuck on the pedal-operated generator to enable long-distance communication. This is God revealing himself through a creative mind! My sister-in-law completed the Sydney Marathon today (alongside 50,000 others) so I already had Australia on the brain. Thanks for sharing another uplifting walk with Christ.
So glad you experienced uplift through John Flynn’s story. I agree: his perseverance and drive in spite of the over-sized challenge presented him is an inspiration to all of us. It reminds me of that quote: “I God brings you to it, he will bring you through it!” / Kudos to you sister-in-law for completing that marathon!
wow Nancy , John was certainly an inspiration! May we all be so willing to endure discomfort for the kingdom!
Amen, Stacey. Taking up our cross and following Christ (Matthew 16:24) isn’t always comfortable!! But the rewards outweigh any cost.
What a wonderful bio of an incredible servant of Christ. Thanks for compiling this and sharing, Nancy. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Thank you, Sue. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about John Flynn myself!
What we see as impossible or overwhelming or unobtainable is completely doable in the Master’s powerful hands. Thank you for sharing these stories from back in the day, Nancy. These servants of God are our unsung heros.
You’ve hinted at the key, Linda. We need to focus on our all-powerful Master, not the overwhelming situation before us–just as John Flynn did!
Just reading about how this honorable man’s life unfolded is a blessing in itself. God had a plan that was NOT impossible and He knew John Flynn had the faith and fortitude to carry it out, regardless of roadblocks and delays. THAT is faith in action!
I agree completely, Cheri. I wonder if God didn’t also grace John with the ability to see the next best step and set his mind and strength to it, rather than be overwhelmed by the multitude of steps yet to come. I picture him with the calm and quiet soul David referred to in Psalm 131.