He was born in 1847, and in 1884, he was sent by the Church of England as the missionary Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa. As he was travelling toward Uganda, he was apprehended by emissaries of King Mwanga. He and his companions were brutally treated and, a week later, on 29 October 1885, most of them were put to death. Hannington's last words were: "Go tell your master that I have purchased the road to Uganda with my blood."
Hannington knew that his death, and his willing offering of his own blood as a sacrifice, would make it possible for the Gospel of Jesus to be spread to wider audiences.
St. Andrew's has had a link for 25 years with the college named after Bishop Hannington, and we were privileged to have the Revd. Martin Olando, the present Acting Principal with us over our Silver Jubilee weekend.
Martin has written to say 'As staff of BHI we are encouraged by Bishop James Hannington's life . He made a sacrifice and we stand on his shoulders. Sacrifice is our driver and motto as we serve at BHI.'
Of course, when Christians think of sacrifice, we go back to what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross.
But every time we offer our lives as a sacrifice, Jesus is honoured and God is glorified.
St. Paul wrote to his friends in Rome, to encourage them to live daily as sacrifices. 'And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.' (Romans 12.1-2)
Today, as we remember James Hannington, and his companions being killed in the line of duty and service for Jesus, may we learn to be living and holy sacrifices for Jesus.
Best wishes,
Richard
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