Birth :30-09-1865 Home Calling: 09-07-1948 Homeland : Canada Place of Vision: Africa
Dr. Andrew Park Stirrett was one of the most remarkable missionaries of the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM). Born into a Scottish Presbyterian family in Canada, Stirrett accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a very young age. Though he studied to become a pharmacist and owned two drug stores in Toronto, he wanted to yield himself to the cause of missions. The pamphlet, ‘The Burden of Sudan’, which he read during this time, encouraged him to apply to SIM. However, the committee could not send him to Sudan. Instead of getting disappointed, he sold all his business and put all his money into the mission trust. After spending a short period in England learning tropical medicine, Stirrett proceeded to Africa and arrived in Nigeria in 1902.
Stirrett was a passionate preacher and a spirited missionary in Nigeria. In crowded market places, he would stand upon a rock, hold up a large picture of Jesus, and preach Christ to those who would give him an audience. He used to travel extensively on foot and bicycle and took Gospel to many unreached parts of Nigeria. He was particularly burdened for the Hausa-speaking people in the northern part of Nigeria. He learned their language and helped in translating the Bible into it. Despite the opposition from the native Muslims, he endured everything for Christ and added many souls to the church.
As a missionary doctor, his efforts were also directed towards the spiritual and physical welfare of the native people. He introduced simple treatments that the missionaries could provide during their mission work. His efforts resulted in a significant reduction in the deaths of native people and the missionaries. He was famously referred to as the ‘Bature Mai Magani,’ meaning the ‘White Doctor.’ During his 47 years of ministry, Stirrett was a simple man who forsook all pleasures of money, marriage, and comfortable life for the sake of the Gospel. At the ripe old age of 82, Stirrett breathed his last while he was still kneeling in prayer.
