J. Lewis and Henrietta Shuck

Step into the bustling port of Richmond, Virginia, and then sail the long ocean voyage to Asia with J. Lewis and Henrietta Shuck. This young Baptist couple left America with hearts full of courage and faith, becoming the first Baptist missionaries to China. Their story of sacrifice and steadfastness speaks powerfully to students today, showing how God uses ordinary lives to open extraordinary doors.

Watch: Baptists and the Opening of China

In the 1840s, the “brass wall” of China seemed unshakable. Foreigners were mistrusted, and missionaries were often kept at a distance. But after the Treaty of Nanking, new doors opened for gospel work. In this short video, When Empires Fought, Baptists Planted, students glimpse the issues the Shucks faced in Hong Kong, where J. Lewis baptized the first Chinese believer and planted seeds of Baptist witness that still bear fruit today.

When Empires Fought, Baptists Planted

J. Lewis and Henrietta Shuck

Living History Narrative

Written as a living history story for students in grades 1–12, this lesson brings the Shucks’ courageous lives into vivid focus. From the ringing church bell at their Richmond farewell, to the salty spray of the voyage, to the first Baptist school in Macao, students will picture the scenes that shaped Baptist missions in China. The narrative also traces the sorrows they faced — Henrietta’s early death at 27, and J. Lewis’s lonely perseverance — reminding us that God’s kingdom advances even through hardship.

Writing Connections

In addition to history, this lesson integrates a language arts component designed for different age levels:

  • 1st–3rd grades: Explore similes in the story and create one of their own (e.g., “The sails groaned like weary travelers”).

  • 4th–6th grades: Keep a perspective journal, imagining a scene through J. Lewis’s or Henrietta’s eyes, and weave in a simile of their own.

  • 7th–12th grades: Practice persuasive reasoning by contrasting the empire outside the Shucks’ meeting (seeking silver, tea, and trade) with the kingdom work inside (seeking truth, souls, and gospel light).

A commonplace book / journal template is included so students can record narrations, reflections, and writing exercises at home or in the classroom.

Download the Journal / Commonplace Book for J. Lewis & Henrietta Shuck

Download the Resource Pack

This PDF includes everything you need to enjoy the Shuck living-history style lesson:

  • Living history narrative

  • Map connection activity (Richmond, Macao, Hong Kong, and Chinese ports opened by the Treaty of Nanking)

  • Copywork ideas

  • Discussion and narration questions for grades 1–12

  • Writing emphasis with grade-level prompts

Download Seeds Across the Sea: The Shucks to China

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