History of Missions

Christ charged His Church with two things: to disciple believers, and to spread the Gospel to every corner of the globe. The two go hand-in-hand, though we sometimes tend to compartmentalize them. Ultimately, even evangelism is a type of discipleship—it's just the most foundational stage in a process that never ends once it's begun.

The story of those who've taken Christ's message to every tribe and nation is often more exciting than any invented adventure novel. Christians have been driven by their burden to share God's Word to explore continents, challenge ungodly governments, smuggle Bibles, enter Communist countries in disguise, and die so that others could hear of God's redemption.

Missions began when Jesus first sent His disciples in pairs to preach throughout Israel. The Great Commission codified the importance of missionary work, and the Church has rightly practiced it ever since. It's important for Christian parents to tell these stories to their children, both to help them understand the importance of missionaries' work, and to offer examples of godliness and perseverance to the young saints.

Even though the human elements of these stories are usually fascinating, the emphasis ought to be on God's glory and the way He brings good out of even the most dire and hopeless circumstances. This is the greatest source of hope for the Christian: that, even when our own power fails, His is constant and will accomplish what He has determined regardless of our ability.

We offer surveys of the history of missions, as well as specific stories and biographies of well-known, lesser-known and unknown servants of Jesus Christ who have worked faithfully in His name. Whether you've been called to the mission field or devote yourself to prayer and support (all of God's people are missionaries), these are stories that can't be ignored by any who profess the name of Jesus.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

 

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Amy Carmichael of Donhavur
by Frank L. Houghton
from CLC Publications
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And the Word Came With Power
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Billy Sunday
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Bobby’s Friends
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Charles Mulli
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Count Zinzendorf
Christian Heroes: Then & Now
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Cup of Cold Water
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Daniel Webster
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David Livingstone
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Father to Nobody's Children
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For God and Country
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Francis Asbury
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George Muller
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God Spoke Tibetan
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God's Adventurer
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God's Adventurer
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Good News Must Go Out
Hidden Heroes #2
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Heart Strangely Warmed
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Helen Roseveare
by Janet and Geoff Benge
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Hiding Place
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Isobel Kuhn
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Torchbearers
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Mask of the Wolf Boy
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Mask of the Wolf Boy
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Michael Faraday
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Mildred Cable
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Mission to Cathay
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Norman Grubb
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Return of the White Book
Hidden Heroes #4
by Rebecca Davis
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Richard Wurmbrand
by Janet and Geoff Benge
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Roundup of the Street Rovers
by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson
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by Dave Jackson, Neta Jackson
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South Sea Island Rescue
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by Kay Walsh
from Christian Focus Publications
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Story of George Washington Carver
by Eva Moore
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Tales of Persia
by William Miller
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Teresa of Calcutta
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by D. Jeanene Watson, illustrated by Robert E. Lawson
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They Shall Be Mine
by John Tallach
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Tortured for Christ
by Richard Wurmbrand
50th Anniversary Edition from David C. Cook
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Way Beyond Death
International Adventures
by Jemimah Wright
from YWAM Publishing
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William Penn
Heroes of History
by Geoff & Janet Benge
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With Daring Faith
by Rebecca Davis
from Bob Jones University Press
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With Two Hands
Hidden Heroes #1
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
for 6th-10th grade
in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
Witness Men
Hidden Heroes #3
by Rebecca Davis
from Christian Focus Publications
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in Morality Tales (Location: FIC-WH05)
World of William Penn
by Genevieve Foster
from Beautiful Feet Books
in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
$14.95