Taylor was 15 years old when he first heard God call him to China. One December day, at the comfortable family home in Barnsley, Yorshire, England he heard the call from heaven. "Go for Me to China". He determined to obey, but in the ensuing months he took his first job and became side tracked by worldly pleasures and dubious friendships. By the age of 16 he was disappointed with life, having already had his fill of ungodly pleasures. His parents were very religious and Taylor dutifully attended church with them but he found it all very dull. In truth he hankered after a life of luxury where he could mix with the wealthy upper classes.

One day he was all alone at home and feeling rather bored. He looked around for something to read and came across a gospel tract. At that very moment, his mother who was seventy miles away, felt impressed to pray urgently for her son's salvation. As Taylor settled down to read the little tract his mother fell on her knees and cried out to God for his soul. The gospel message cut into the teenager's heart and that day he prayed his first ever prayer - and it was wonderfully answered. He was converted to Christ.