The factual accounts of Patrick, missionary to Ireland, are even more compelling than the folklore. Telling the true story of Patrick offers an inspiring saga of grace, mercy, and world-changing missionary work.

During a time when the beautiful island was shrouded in terrible darkness, Patrick lit a fire in pagan 5th century Ireland, ushering Christianity into the country. Warlords and druids ruled the land. But across the sea in Britain, a teenager was poised to bring this nation to God.

From Slave to Missionary

As a teenager Patrick was kidnapped, taken from his home in southern Britain, and sold into slavery on the island of Ireland. He spent six years tending his master’s flocks on the slopes of a Mountain. Patrick recounts his time as a slave in his memoir entitled The Confession: “I prayed a hundred times in the day and almost as many at night,” he said. It was through those sufferings that he came to know Christ and be identified with Him. He converted to Christianity and earned a reputation as a fervent evangelist.

In the dark of the night Patrick escaped his bonds and traveled 200 miles cross-country to the west coast. He found a ship ready to sail, but was refused passage. After a desperate prayer, he was allowed aboard. Patrick eventually returned to his home and family. His experience of God’s grace and provision solidified his faith. He began to study for the ministry.

God spoke to Patrick in his dreams and told him that he would return to Ireland and serve as a missionary to the people who had kept him in bondage. One night he had a dream. There was a man who came from Ireland with a whole bunch of letters. He opened up one of the letters and it said “The Voice of the Irish.” And then he heard a voice coming out of this letter that said, “Holy boy, please return to us. We need you.”

Patrick struggled in his soul. Could he return to Ireland and minister to the same people who had enslaved him? Once again, he turned to God in prayer and felt compelled to return. He set sail in a small ship as a missionary to Ireland. After Patrick landed at the mouth of the Slaney River and set foot on this shore, it was said: “a new era dawned on this island.”

He did not return with malice in his heart, but as a missionary eager to convert the Irish. Patrick came to face and help his former enemies who had enslaved him. He engaged the chieftains and their druid priests and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serving them and doing them a great favor. He used a shamrock as an object lesson to illustrate the central teaching of the holy trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

Patrick served in regions of Ireland where outsiders had never traveled. While roaming through Ireland he preached to pagans and also instructed Christian believers. Patrick trained Irish helpers and ordained native clergy. He was bringing a new way of life to a violent, war-oriented pagan culture. His work was both groundbreaking and Christ-honoring.

In 432 A.D., Patrick built a church on the site of the present day St. Patrick’s Memorial Church in Saul—the first ever Christian church in all of Ireland. It’s considered the cradle of Irish Christianity. Patrick’s ministry lasted 29 years. He baptized over 120,000 Irishmen and planted 300 churches.

Discipleship Comes With a Cost

Rev. Robert Eames said, “I honestly feel that what Patrick taught Ireland was that there is a cost to discipleship, but it’s a cost worth paying. And I believe, to bring this right up to date, the church of St. Patrick must be constantly saying to people, ‘Discipleship demands of you, but it’s a cost that Christ will help you to pay.’”

“Daily I expect to be murdered or betrayed or reduced to slavery if the occasion arises,” Patrick wrote while serving in Ireland. “But I fear nothing, because of the promises of heaven.”

In fifth-century Ireland women were a commodity. Selling a daughter or arranging a politically strategic marriage was common and advantageous to a family. Patrick upset the social order by teaching women they had a choice in Christ. As God converted these women to Christianity, some became full-time servants of Christ in the face of strong family opposition. Patrick told women they could be “virgins for Christ” by remaining chaste. This newfound control was appealing to many women, but it angered many men who believed Patrick was taking away their prized possessions.

At the time many scholars regarded Ireland as the end of the earth, or at least the edge of the inhabitable portion of earth. The collapsing Roman Empire supported many beliefs that civilized society was drawing to a close. Politicians and philosophers viewed Ireland as barbaric and untamable. Many Christians did not believe the Irish were worthy of being saved. At that point in history, Patrick truly served as a pioneering missionary to a forgotten people.

Patrick advocated learning among Christians. He promoted the ascetic life and monasticism. The Irish culture did not place great value on literacy or education. Patrick, however, promoted studying the Scriptures as well as reading books written by fathers of the faith.

Recovering the True Patrick

Patrick entered an Ireland full of paganism and idol worship. But just a few short decades after Patrick arrived, a healthy, Christ-honoring church was thriving. The Irish church was so strong that in the centuries to come it would send missionaries to evangelize much of continental Europe. Patrick’s legacy lives on through the countless spiritual grandchildren he left to continue his work.

Patrick lived in a way that brought honor to God. His devotion and resolute obedience offer examples for all followers of Christ. Patrick stood in the face of great challenges and did not falter. His service, his life, and his unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel of Christ are as commendable today as they were in the fifth century.

Patrick wrote a poem titled “The Breastplate,” in which he wrote:

“Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

We as Christians have allowed the modern, secular customs of St. Patrick’s Day to steal away one of the greatest missionaries in Christian history and reduce his memory to leprechauns, green beer, and fictional tales. Let’s take back our beloved servant of Christ and share God’s glory achieved during the life of Patrick the missionary to Ireland. Let’s share the true legacy of this great Christian evangelist.

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