England celebrates 180th birthday of missionary Hudson Taylor

Our take: Hudson Taylor left for a life-long mission in China in 1853 and founded China Inland Mission, called "one of the most influential mission societies of the 19th century." Now, on the 180th anniversary of his birth, a historic marker has been set up at his English birthplace to commemorate his life and to attract visitors from China who have a Christian faith today thanks to the work and time Hudson invested more than a century ago.

In 1853 a young Englishman boarded a ship for a five-month voyage to the other side of the world. When he arrived in China, James Hudson Taylor adopted native dress and a ponytail.

He went on to found one of the most influential mission societies of the 19th century. Now, the English town where Taylor was born is inviting the world to come and visit.

On the 180th anniversary of Hudson Taylor's birth, authorities in Barnsley, England, unveiled historic markers on his birthplace, in both English and Chinese.

John Foster, with the Barnsley Hudson Taylor Group, said they hope to attract visitors from the land where Taylor invested 51 years as a Christian missionary.

Read more about Hudson Taylor 180th birthday celebration on CBN.com.