A Brief History of Christian Missions - Early Church to Modern Era

Introduction

Christian missions have been at the heart of the Church's identity since its inception. Christian missions are not merely an optional activity for the church; they are at the very heart of its identity and purpose, flowing directly from the command of Jesus Christ to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This article offers a concise overview, tracing the journey of missions from the early church through the modern era.

The Apostolic Age: Foundations of Missions (1st-3rd Century)

The mission of the early church began with Christ’s commission to His disciples: "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, ESV). However, it was the missionary journeys of Paul, often accompanied by people like Barnabas and Silas, that truly drove Christianity into the Gentile world. Paul, with his strategic approach to establishing churches in key urban centers and his theological articulation of the gospel for all peoples, laid the foundational groundwork for universal Christian expansion (Romans 15:20-21).

Despite persecution, the early Church grew rapidly. Tertullian famously remarked that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Early believers lived missionally even under threat of death, winning others by their conduct (1 Peter 2:12) and unwavering faith.

The Post-Constantinian Era (4th–6th Century)

With Emperor Constantine’s conversion in the early 4th century and the subsequent Edict of Milan (313 AD), Christianity was legalized and later became the state religion of the Roman Empire. Key figures like Origen and Tertullian contributed to theological discourse and evangelistic efforts. Constantine’s Edict of Milan (AD 313) legalized Christianity, further propelling missions by allowing open evangelism across the empire.

The Medieval Missionary Movement (7th–15th Century)

After the legalization of Christianity in the fourth century (Edict of Milan, AD 313), missions took on new forms. The church became increasingly institutionalized, and missionary activity was often tied to political expansion. Notable missionaries like Patrick in Ireland (5th century), Augustine of Canterbury in England (6th century), and Boniface in Germany (8th century) brought the gospel to new regions of Europe. This era also saw a complex and sometimes contradictory expression of missionary zeal in the form of the Crusades. However, within this period, there were also isolated but significant individual missionary ventures, such as the Franciscan and Dominican orders reaching out to Muslims and even attempting to reach distant lands like China (e.g., John of Montecorvino).

The Protestant Reformation and Mission (16th–17th Century)

The Protestant Reformation (1517 onwards) was initially inward-focused, concentrating on improving theology, worship, and Church practice. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized Scripture and faith, but their movements were slower to develop global missions. However, the groundwork for future missions was laid through Bible translation and theological rediscovery. The Moravian Church, under Count Zinzendorf, sent missionaries worldwide as early as the 1730s, including to the Caribbean and North America, an early Protestant missionary breakthrough. Figures such as Francis Xavier (India and Japan) and Matteo Ricci (China) sought to contextualize the gospel, learning local languages and engaging with indigenous cultures. This era saw both remarkable dedication and significant controversies. While many missionaries advocated for justice and the protection of native peoples, others were complicit in colonial abuses. The intertwining of missions and empire remains a subject of reflection and repentance for the global church today.

The Great Century of Missions (18th–19th Century)

The 18th and 19th centuries are often termed the “Great Century” of missions. The Evangelical Revival in England and the First and Second Great Awakenings in America stirred a renewed missionary awareness. William Carey, often called the “father of modern missions,” launched a movement by sailing to India in 1793, publishing his influential book An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. This era saw an explosion of Protestant missionary activity, with countless men and women venturing to every corner of the globe. Pioneering figures like Adoniram Judson in Burma, David Livingstone in Africa, and Hudson Taylor in China exemplified sacrificial dedication, enduring immense hardships to translate the Bible, establish churches, and bring education and healthcare to diverse populations.

The 20th Century and Global South Missions

The 20th century witnessed a major geographical and theological shift in global missions. The Edinburgh Missionary Conference of 1910 marked the beginning of greater cooperation among denominations and introduced the idea of the global Church working in partnership.

The Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (1974) marked a significant milestone, emphasizing “the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world.” Missiologists like Ralph Winter highlighted the importance of reaching “unreached people groups”, ethnic communities with little or no access to the gospel.

Missions in the Digital and Postmodern Era (21st Century)

The history of Christian missions is a tapestry of faith, courage, and sometimes failure. It reminds us that the mission is God’s, and the methods must be continually re-examined in light of Scripture and the Spirit’s leading. Globalization, migration, and digital technology have opened fresh avenues for mission work. Online platforms, mobile apps, and streaming technologies allow gospel proclamation across previously closed or hard-to-reach regions.

Postmodern secularism, religious pluralism, and political hostility in some parts of the world pose challenges to traditional mission models. Yet, local churches, short-term missions, tentmaking (vocational missions), and creative access methods are keeping the Great Commission alive and adaptive.

Conclusion

Today, the mission landscape is incredibly diverse. While traditional mission agencies continue their vital work, there's a growing emphasis on holistic mission, addressing social justice issues, poverty, and human rights alongside evangelism (James 2:14-17).

As Paul wrote, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15). May the contemporary church continue to be faithful messengers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, until every nation hears.