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Frank Houghton
Frank Houghton (April 24, 1894 – January 25, 1972) was an English preacher, missionary bishop, and hymn writer whose ministry with the China Inland Mission (CIM) spanned over three decades, blending gospel preaching with leadership in crisis. Born in Stafford, England, to Thomas Houghton, a curate, and an unnamed mother, he was the fourth of eight children in a devout Anglican family. Educated at the University of London (B.A., 1913) and London College of Divinity (graduated 1914), he was ordained a deacon in 1917 and a priest in 1918, serving curacies at St. Benedict’s, Everton (1917–1919), and All Saints, Preston (1919–1920), before joining CIM in 1920, inspired by Hudson Taylor. Houghton’s preaching career took root in China, where he served at Liangshan (1920–1921) and Suiting (1921–1924), became principal of Paoning Theological College (1924–1928), and was consecrated Bishop of East Szechwan (1937–1940). His sermons, often paired with hymns like “Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour”—written in 1934 amid the Stam martyrdom—called believers to faith and sacrifice, delivered across Sichuan’s mountain churches and later globally. As CIM General Director (1940–1951), he guided the mission through its 1951 exit from China, then pastored in England at St. Marks, Leamington (1953–1960), and St. Peter’s, Drayton (1960–1963). Author of books like Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur (1953), he married Dorothy Cassels in 1923, daughter of Bishop William Cassels, and they had two daughters and two sons. Houghton died at age 77 in Parkstone, Poole, England.
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Frank Houghton preaches about the incredible sacrifice and humility of Jesus, who, despite being rich beyond measure, chose to become poor out of love for us, exchanging thrones for a manger and sapphire-paved courts for a stable floor. He emphasizes that Jesus, the embodiment of love, deserves our worship as our Savior and King, dwelling within us to transform us according to His will.
Thou Becamest rich.......
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, All for love's sake becamest poor; Thrones for a manger didst surrender. Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, All for love's sake becamest poor; Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship Thee. Immanuel within us dwelling, Make us what Thou wouldst have us be. Thou who are love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship Thee.
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Frank Houghton (April 24, 1894 – January 25, 1972) was an English preacher, missionary bishop, and hymn writer whose ministry with the China Inland Mission (CIM) spanned over three decades, blending gospel preaching with leadership in crisis. Born in Stafford, England, to Thomas Houghton, a curate, and an unnamed mother, he was the fourth of eight children in a devout Anglican family. Educated at the University of London (B.A., 1913) and London College of Divinity (graduated 1914), he was ordained a deacon in 1917 and a priest in 1918, serving curacies at St. Benedict’s, Everton (1917–1919), and All Saints, Preston (1919–1920), before joining CIM in 1920, inspired by Hudson Taylor. Houghton’s preaching career took root in China, where he served at Liangshan (1920–1921) and Suiting (1921–1924), became principal of Paoning Theological College (1924–1928), and was consecrated Bishop of East Szechwan (1937–1940). His sermons, often paired with hymns like “Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour”—written in 1934 amid the Stam martyrdom—called believers to faith and sacrifice, delivered across Sichuan’s mountain churches and later globally. As CIM General Director (1940–1951), he guided the mission through its 1951 exit from China, then pastored in England at St. Marks, Leamington (1953–1960), and St. Peter’s, Drayton (1960–1963). Author of books like Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur (1953), he married Dorothy Cassels in 1923, daughter of Bishop William Cassels, and they had two daughters and two sons. Houghton died at age 77 in Parkstone, Poole, England.