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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'But Now I See': The Life of John Newton
by Josiah Bull
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Between Worlds
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Bombs and Blessings
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Bruchko
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Bruchko
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Bruchko and the Motilone Miracle
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Captured!
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China Cry
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Contending for Our All
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Dayuma
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Dayuma Story
by Ethel Emily Wallis
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Five Pioneer Missionaries
by Various
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For Those Who Dare
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Forgotten Founding Father
Leaders in Action Series
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From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya
by Ruth Tucker
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George Whitefield: Wayfaring Witness
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Hearts of Fire
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Heavenly Man
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Heroes of the Holy Life
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Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy
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I Dared to Call Him Father
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In Search of the Source
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John Charles Ryle
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Jonathan and Sarah
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Kisses from Katie
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Life and Diary of David Brainerd
by David Brainerd
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Life and Diary of David Brainerd
by David Brainerd
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Light Force
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Living on the Devil's Doorstep
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Livingstone and his African Journeys
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Lords of the Earth
by Don Richardson
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Lords of the Earth
by Don Richardson
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Man With the Bird on His Head
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Maria
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Marriage to a Difficult Man
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Minka & Margaret
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Missionary Patriarch
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My Heart in His Hands
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Narrow Road
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Seven Men
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Shadow of the Almighty
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Shadow of the Almighty
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These are the Generations
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To Live Again
by Catherine Marshall
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Tommorow You Die
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Torches of Joy
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We Died Before We Came Here
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Wigglesworth
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Worlds Apart
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Wurmbrand: Tortured for Christ
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