Missions: William Borden | Camp Compass 2026 | Compass Bible Church

Main message: William Borden gave up earthly treasure to follow Jesus and made him his greatest treasure — living with "no reserve, no retreat, no regrets" and investing his wealth and life in gospel work. His example challenges listeners to value Jesus above money and to follow him wherever he leads.

Key points:

• Born into great wealth in Chicago, Borden’s mother became a Christian and he trusted Christ as a boy; he was devoted to Bible reading and spiritual disciplines.
• A dramatic rescue at sea and world travel showed him that people everywhere are seeking a treasure; meeting missionaries in Japan stirred him toward missions.
• He studied at Yale, found Christian friends who prayed with him, and decided to serve in the Gansu region of China after a missions conference.
• After his father’s sudden death he used his inheritance to start the Yale Hope Mission in New Haven, serving the poor and sharing the gospel locally.
• He prepared to go to China but fell ill with cerebral meningitis and died in Cairo in 1913 at age 25; his money later funded mission work and inspired others to become missionaries.

Scriptures mentioned: none