Patrick was raised in a nominally Christian home in Britain during the collapse of the Roman Empire. At 16 he was captured by Irish pirates and taken to the west coast of Ireland. The trauma of slavery turned him to the Lord, and he strove to spend each day in communion with God. Six years later he escaped and returned to Britain. After a time of theological study, Patrick felt the Lord's call to return to Ireland as a missionary to his captors.
Despite strong opposition from both the Irish and his Christian contemporaries back home, Patrick speaks of “thousands” converted through his ministry, including sons and daughters of Irish kings, from the worship of “idols and filthy things.” This success came from Patrick's deep understanding of what Scripture teaches regarding missions and a steadfast dedication to his work.
Patrick's work firmly planted the Christian faith in Irish soil and left a deep imprint on the Celtic church that would grow up from this soil.
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