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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Against All Odds
by Jim Stier
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Arrow Pointing to Heaven
by James Bryan Smith
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Autobiography of Charles G. Finney
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Autobiography of George Muller
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Bonhoeffer
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Born Again
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Bring Your Eyes and See
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Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle
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Chance to Die
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Cross and the Switchblade
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Cry from the Streets
International Adventures
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D. L. Moody
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Dayuma
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Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees
by Thomas Hale
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$15.99
Eternity in Their Hearts
by Don Richardson
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Evidence Not Seen
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Five Pioneer Missionaries
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Forgotten Founding Father
Leaders in Action Series
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Francis Schaeffer
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From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya
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George Whitefield
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God's Samurai
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God's Smuggler
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Great for God
by David Shibley
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Heavenly Man
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Hudson Taylor
by Vance Christie
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If I Perish
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Jonathan Edwards
by Stephen J. Nichols
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Jonathan Edwards
by Iain H. Murray
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Jungle Pilot
by Russell Hitt
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Life and Diary of David Brainerd
by David Brainerd
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Life of John Newton
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Living on the Devil's Doorstep
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Narrow Road
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Peace Child
by Don Richardson
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Saint Patrick
by Jonathan Rogers
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Sergeant York and the Great War
by Alvin C. York
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Seven Men
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Christian Encounters
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Taking the High Places
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Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
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Through Gates of Splendor
by Elisabeth Elliot
40th Anniversary from Tyndale House
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Torches of Joy
International Adventures
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