Give Your All

A Biography of Elaine Townsend

One of the best things about All Nations’ book club is that we don’t always agree. When we discussed Simona Gortner’s Better than we dreamed: The story of Elaine Townsend and the faithfulness of a God who colored outside all her lines (2018), some found the book to trigger feelings of toxic positivity, “platitudinous Christianity,” or missionary kid abuse and neglect. Others found tremendous encouragement through Townsend’s ministry style, family, and faith.

Elaine was the second wife of Wycliffe/SIL founder Cameron Townsend. They were married when she was 30 and he was almost 20 years her senior. She knew the significance of Cameron’s calling and was committed to supporting and facilitating his work. They had four children and served in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, the U.S., and finally Russia.

Elaine lived 25 years as a widow after Cameron’s death and made her last trip to Russia when she was 85. She continued to minister and encourage others into her 80s, even walking 3-5 miles daily on feet that had been crushed in a plane crash many years earlier.

None doubted that Elaine was a woman of courage who loved her Lord, His word, and His work. The author’s portrayal of young Elaine was lively, and as the story progressed, we missed the vivacious, funny young woman who had won a trip around the world as the best (and most social) Chicagoland Protestant. We missed hearing more of her love for languages, translation, and educational methodology; instead, we found extraordinary hospitality and tireless service. “To her, hospitality was the aide of gratitude; it showed honor, opened up relationships, strengthened community, encouraged friends, and shone forth the warmth of the gospel” (p. 75).

Did we get an accurate picture of Elaine? Were her personality, great giftedness, and even children sacrificed to her husband’s global call? It is easy to look at Elaine Townsend through our therapeutic lens and language of workaholism, appearance management, and family dysfunction--of ministry as the highest allegiance. However, Elaine’s life challenged us in many ways. Some of the things that impressed us might speak to you, too.

Our physical appearance matters. Take care of yourself. Don’t look like a poor missionary!
Welcome, feed, and house anyone who comes to your door. Don’t be ashamed of what you don’t have, but give what you do.
Show interest in every one God puts in your path. Be prepared with some good opening questions. Don’t neglect the rich or the poor.
Be a lifelong learner of language, culture, and memorization of Scripture.
Serve in good times and bad, in loss and pain.

The One who calls us is faithful; we can trust Him. Elaine certainly did.

About the Author: Lisa Sinclair and her husband served in Mali, West Africa for 10 years. She is a nurse practitioner, author of Restored Paths: Sexuality for Christian Leaders, and loves to read!

Staying Connected or Learning More

Help share this and other blogs with your friends and ministry leaders! It would also be a huge help if you could please follow us on social media via the links below! Thank you!

If you would like to receive leadership updates, link here to stay current on All Nations International’s news and prayer efforts! To learn more about All Nations today, visit: www.allnations.international!

Are you wondering if you are wired to go? This area on our web site will help you!

We have plenty other resources (devotion, book club, events) and a monthly global prayer for the neglected! You are welcome to join us.

Give today to see the neglected globally reached — the least, the last, and the lost!

www.allnations.international

Reaching the neglected globally — the least, the last, and the lost since 1993.

Featured