“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
(Matthew 28:19)
Jesus gave this command to His followers after His resurrection, and it has shaped the mission of the Church for over two thousand years.
This command, often called the Great Commission, was the beginning of Christian missions.
Missions have played a large part in spreading the message of Jesus to people around the world.
The Early Church and the Apostles
In the first years after Jesus rose from the dead, His followers began sharing the gospel with others.
Peter preached in Jerusalem, and many people believed in Jesus.
Paul traveled to many cities in the Roman Empire, teaching about Christ and starting churches.
He went to places like Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome, facing hardship and danger along the way.
Paul wrote letters to encourage believers, and these letters became part of the New Testament.
The early Christians often faced persecution, but they continued to tell others about Jesus.
Their faith and courage helped the message of salvation reach far beyond Israel.
“And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8)
Missions During the Middle Ages
After the early centuries, the Christian faith spread throughout Europe.
Missionaries like St. Patrick went to Ireland to teach people about God.
Another well-known missionary, St. Boniface, brought the gospel to parts of Germany.
The Church often worked closely with kings and leaders during this time.
Monasteries became centers for learning, prayer, and sending out missionaries.
Though not all missions were peaceful, many people in Europe came to believe in Jesus during these years.
The Bible was copied by hand and shared, and the stories of Jesus reached new places.
The Age of Exploration
In the 15th and 16th centuries, explorers from Europe traveled to new lands across the world.
As they traveled, they brought missionaries with them to tell people about Christ.
Some of these missionaries went to places like India, Africa, and the Americas.
The Roman Catholic Church sent many missionaries, including members of the Jesuit order.
They built schools, churches, and hospitals to serve both the body and soul.
At times, missions were connected with colonization, and this caused problems for local people.
Still, many missionaries worked hard to love and serve the people they met, sharing the hope of Jesus.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)
Protestant Missions in the Modern Era
In the 1700s and 1800s, Protestant churches began sending missionaries to other countries.
William Carey is often called the “father of modern missions” and went to India in 1793.
He translated the Bible into several Indian languages and taught people how to read and write.
Other missionaries like Adoniram Judson went to Burma, and David Livingstone went to Africa.
They preached, translated the Bible, and helped care for the sick and poor.
Many missionary societies were started during this time to send workers across the world.
Missions in the 20th and 21st Centuries
In the 1900s, the number of missionaries grew, and they began using new tools like radio and airplanes.
More people from Asia, Africa, and Latin America also became missionaries.
Christian missions are now led by people from many nations, not just Europe or America.
Missionaries today work in cities, rural areas, and even online.
Some focus on helping people who have never heard of Jesus, often called “unreached people groups.”
Others teach the Bible, help plant churches, or provide medical care and education.
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
(Psalm 96:3)
Christian missions have changed over the years, but the message remains the same.
Jesus came to save sinners, and He calls His followers to share this news with the world.
From the time of the apostles to today, Christians have obeyed this calling with courage and love.
The story of missions is still being written in every corner of the earth.