Dwight Lyman Moody American evangelist and publisher Date of Birth: 05.02.1837 Country: USA

1. Biography of Dwight L. Moody
2. Early Life and Conversion
3. Family and Ministry
4. Ministry Success and Legacy
5. Final Years and Death

Biography of Dwight L. Moody

Dwight L. Moody was an American evangelist and publisher, best known for founding the Moody Church, Northfield School, Mount Hermon School, Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Publishers. He was born in Northfield, Massachusetts, into a large family. His father was a farmer and mason. Moody Sr. passed away at the age of 41 while praying. Dwight had five older brothers and a younger sister. A month after their father's death, their mother gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Supporting such a large family was challenging for Mrs. Moody, and money was always tight. She occasionally had to send the children to work, although they were not paid much, they were provided with food and shelter. Even during the toughest times, their mother never neglected to send them to church as religion held a significant place in her life. Mrs. Moody raised her children according to the norms of the Unitarian Church.

Early Life and Conversion

At the age of 17, Moody moved to Boston, where he began working at his uncle's shoe store. Despite the new environment, Dwight continued to attend church, as his uncle closely monitored his religious activities. In April 1855, one of Moody's mentors, Edward Kimball, told him about God's love. This conversation deeply impacted Moody and marked the beginning of his transformation into an evangelist. In May 1855, Moody applied to join the church but was initially rejected. However, he was eventually accepted on May 4, 1856. His faith prevented him from joining the army during the Civil War, but he still provided assistance to soldiers. Moody worked with the U.S. Christian Commission of the YMCA and visited the front lines at least nine times. He met with soldiers after the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Murfreesboro. Later, he entered Richmond with General Ulysses S. Grant's army.

Family and Ministry

On August 28, 1862, Moody married Emma C. Revell. They had a daughter named Emma Reynolds Moody and two sons, William Revell and Paul Dwight Moody. In June 1871, Moody met Ira D. Sankey, a well-known gospel singer, and they performed together several times. In October of the same year, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed Moody's church and home, along with the houses of many of his congregation members. The Moody family had to relocate, and Moody later mentioned that the only possessions to survive the fire were his Bible and his reputation.

Ministry Success and Legacy

Only three months after the fire, the church was rebuilt. Moody's fame grew in the spring of 1872 when he embarked on a trip to England. He preached nearly 100 times, attracting large congregations. His success continued upon returning to the United States, where he was warmly received. Even President Grant showed interest in Moody's preaching. Moody made several more trips to England, often accompanied by Sankey. He also traveled to other countries, earning him the reputation of being one of the best missionaries to bring the Word of God to China. Moody was also popular in Sweden, despite never having visited the Scandinavian peninsula or speaking Swedish.

Final Years and Death

Moody delivered his last sermon on November 16, 1899, in Kansas City, Kansas. Afterward, he was forced to return home to Northfield due to illness, which eventually led to his death. The exact cause of his illness, which interrupted his tours and ultimately caused his death, remains unknown. Friends reported that Moody had gained approximately 14 kilograms in the final months, suggesting that heart problems might have been a contributing factor. Dwight L. Moody passed away on December 22, 1899.