March 20th in Christ

David Brainerd Ends Missionary Work (1747)
Event: On March 20, 1747, David Brainerd, a Presbyterian missionary, ceased his work among the Delaware Native Americans in New Jersey due to advanced tuberculosis. Born in 1718, Brainerd had been expelled from Yale for criticizing a tutor’s faith, joined the Presbyterian Church, and began ministering to Indigenous peoples in 1743. He died later that year at age 29, but his journals were published by Jonathan Edwards in 1749 as The Life and Diary of David Brainerd.
Protestant Relevance: Brainerd’s dedication to evangelism, despite illness, and his introspective writings became a model for Protestant missionary zeal. His work directly influenced later figures like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and the 19th-century missionary movement, a cornerstone of Protestant expansion.
Significance: His legacy underscores Protestantism’s emphasis on personal faith and outreach, with his journals remaining a spiritual classic in evangelical circles. The date is precise, sourced from historical timelines.

Presbyterian Church Approves Women Elders (1930)
Event: On March 20, 1930, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) voted to allow women to serve as ruling elders, a decision ratified after debates over gender roles in church governance. This built on earlier moves, like ordaining women as deacons in 1922, and preceded women’s ordination as ministers in 1956.
Protestant Relevance: This was a landmark in mainline Protestantism, reflecting progressive shifts within Presbyterianism—a key Reformed tradition stemming from John Calvin. It aligned with broader Protestant trends toward inclusivity, though it sparked resistance from conservative factions.
Significance: The ruling expanded lay leadership roles, influencing Presbyterian polity and foreshadowing wider gender equality in Protestant denominations. The date is documented in church records.

Other Potential Events
1854 Republican Party Founding: On March 20, 1854, the Republican Party was organized in Ripon, Wisconsin, by anti-slavery activists, many of whom were Protestants (e.g., Abraham Lincoln). While significant in a Protestant-majority context, its political focus limits direct religious impact.