Today’s Leader of Faith
SAMUEL MARINUS ZWEMER
Home Call : 2 April 1952
Apostle to Islam, Evangelist, Missionary, Scholar, Theologian, Author
Samuel Marinus Zwemer (1867–1952), known as The Apostle to Islam, was an American missionary to the Middle-East dedicated to evangelizing Muslims. He co-founded the Arabian Mission in 1890, focusing on spreading the Gospel in the challenging regions of the Middle East, particularly Bahrain, Egypt, and Iraq. He served as a missionary in Arabia (1891–1905) and Egypt (1913–1929), founding the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain. He later became a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary (1930–1937). He mobilized many Christians for missions among Muslims and edited The Moslem World for 35 years. His theology was deeply Calvinistic, emphasizing God’s supremacy and the necessity of understanding the Trinity. His missiology focused on glorifying God rather than merely seeking conversions, and his belief in the victory of the Gospel remained unshakable despite personal losses. While he promoted ecumenical unity for mission work, he remained firm on essential Christian doctrines. Though he had few converts, his greatest impact was inspiring Christian evangelism in Islamic regions. He continued writing and speaking until his death in 1952.
Zwemer was born in Vriesland, Michigan, on April 12, 1867. He earned an A.B. from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, in 1887 and an M.A. from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey in 1890. While at seminary, he was deeply influenced by the growing missionary movement and felt a strong calling to evangelize Muslims. After being ordained to the Reformed Church ministry by the Pella, Iowa Classis in 1890, he was a missionary at Busrah, Bahrein, and at other locations in Arabia from 1891 to 1905. He later received honorary degrees, including a D.D. from Hope College (1904), an LL.D. from Muskingum College (1918), and another D.D. from Rutgers College (1919).
Zwemer’s ministry was centered on Evangelism, Writing, and Recruitment. In 1889, he co-founded the American Arabian Mission and began missionary work in Arabia in 1890, primarily using literature distribution and personal conversations to spread the Gospel. He balanced a confrontational approach with a loving presentation of Christ. As a prolific writer, he authored nearly a book a year for over 50 years and established The Moslem World journal in 1911. He also led the American Christian Literature Society for Moslems, raising significant funds for evangelical publications. His recruitment efforts were equally impactful; he became a professor at Princeton in 1929 and was known for his powerful speaking, which inspired thousands to join the mission field. His fundraising skills greatly supported the Reformed Board of Foreign Missions.
Zwemer passed away at the age of 84, in New York, just ten days before his 85th birthday. Though he retired from active missionary work, he continued writing and teaching about Islam and Christian missions until his final years.