[2] Endicott and his wife moved to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, in 1894 as missionaries and were integral to the development of the Methodist mission already in place there.

He was very influenced by the social gospel movement and was greatly impacted by the plight of the poor and oppressed he encountered while in China.

He was recommended highly to this position by his predecessor, George C. Pidgeon, because of his dedication to and enthusiasm for missionary work.

[3] He also served as head of the Foreign Missions Board of the United Church from its founding until his retirement in 1937 and remained a leading figure in the denomination until the end of his life.

[1] His son, James Gareth Endicott, was also a minister and missionary in China and was close friends with Lester B.