“Expect great things from God. Try big things for God” is a quote from William Carey, a missionary to India, engraved on his tombstone. Carey's goal was to build a native church "by means of native preachers" and by providing scriptures in the native language, and it was to this end that he devoted his life. Carey had an intriguing life and he developed ten strategies that missionaries use today. Carey was born on August 17, 1761, in Paulerspury, a pleasant village in Northamptonshire, England. He was the eldest of five children of a weaver, who later became a schoolmaster. From a young age, signs began to pile up that he would be talented, according to his neighbors who noticed him. There was a determination about him. Carey said later in life: "I can work hard. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To that I owe everything." At the age of twelve, he had his first encounter with another language, which helped him in the future. He learned most of the Latin vocabulary by heart. He also learned Greek, Hebrew, Dutch and French. At the age of sixteen, he packed up his few belongings and left to become Clark Nichols' apprentice shoemaker. On June 17, 1781, he married Dorothy Plackett. During this time he studied, pastored two very small Baptist churches, and continued to make shoes. These few years helped him develop his philosophy of missions and this first happened when he read the Voyages of Captain Cook. Eighteenth-century clergymen believed that the Great Commission was reserved for the apostles and, therefore, the conversion of pagans was not their concern. When Carey presented his ideas to some ministers, one man said, “Young man, sit down. When God wants to convert the heather......middle of paper......3. Finnie, Kellsye Mr. William Carey: Pioneer Missionary. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Christian Literature Crusade, 1986. Print.4. Middlebrook, J.B. William Carey. London: Carey Kingsgate, 1961. Print. 11-12.5. Walker, F. Deaville. William Carey. Chicago: Moody, 1980. Print.6. William Carey - Chronology." William Carey - Baptist Missionary. Web. April 7, 2011. .7. Carter, Terry G. The Journal and Selected Letters of William Carey. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2000. Print.8." Department of Theology | Serampore College." Welcome to Serampore College. Web. April 7, 2011. .9. "William Carey - Theopedia, an encyclopedia of biblical Christianity." Main page - Theopedia, an encyclopedia of biblical Christianity. Web. April 07. 2011. .