Interserve was formed in 1852 by visionary British women who challenged the norms of their own society
in order to help alleviate the suffering of Indian women, many of whom lived their entire lives in seclusion in women’s quarters with no access to education, medical care, or the message of Christ. Interserve was the first interdenominational mission society in the United Kingdom, a pioneer in women’s medical missions, and was instrumental in convincing Queen Victoria to grant official sanction to the training of women doctors in the United Kingdom.
1852
In 1852, Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird of London founded the Calcutta Normal School in response to a plea from Mrs Mackenzie, an English merchant. The task was to train Indian Christian women to go into the zenanas to teach the women how to read and write.
She had written, “If we can give women of India power to read, and the Book to read, God will bless His Word.”
1860
Then in 1860, Mrs Sarah Dormeus founded the Women’s Union Missionary Society, which was also concerned about the needs of women in India. This gave opportunity not only to teach literacy, but also to tell the women about Jesus.
1880 & 1882
During this time, medical ministry was added to their mission endeavours, from Britain and America. This simple, wholistic, Gospel is the enduring characteristic of Interserve.
As more women came to serve, what began as a teacher-training ministry soon expanded to include the establishment of hospitals, schools and orphanages.
1950
One hundred years after the initial founding of the Calcutta Normal School, the British mission, which undergone a number of name changes over the years, accepted its first male missionary. The name was changed again shortly after this to the Bible and Medical Mission Fellowship (BMMF).
Auxiliary committees were formed across the Commonwealth, and the International Fellowship emerged.
1976
In 1976 WUMS and BMMF merged and a decade later the organisation’s names was changed to Interserve. Interserve has continued to send people with hearts for mission, just like Mrs Mackenzie, Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird and Mrs Sarah Dormeus of old. Using practical and technical skills they serve and reach others with the love of Jesus in Asia and the Arab world.
TODAY, THE STORY CONTINUES
Reaching far beyond our humble beginnings Interserve now has 800 plus partners, using their professional and/or life skills, reaching out to some of the neediest people in the world.
They live and work in a wide variety of partnerships where similar values are shared : with local and national churches; with ministries and other mission groups; with educational and medical institutions, social and development agencies and non-governmental organisations; and with business communities.
Traditionally, cross-cultural work has been focused within communities in Asia and the Arab world, but now people from these regions often find themselves far from their original homes and are our neighbours. Interserve now engages with these diaspora communities, to provide positive integration within their new homeland, while sharing God’s love.
