“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16
More than 200 years ago, in 1793, William Carey—known as the “Father of Modern Missions”—set foot in India. Since that time, global missions have undergone many significant changes and innovations to fulfill the Great Commission:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Within the last two years, organizations, companies, businesses, and entire industries have been rethinking their strategy to fulfill their mission. Might it also be time to rethink global missions?
To stimulate thought, I want to present two significant recent trends in global missions. The first is a potentially troubling trend toward holistic ministry focusing on meeting the physical needs of those around the world. Christ Himself healed the sick and fed the hungry, but He did not merely come to meet humanity’s physical needs. The greatest need for all humanity is Jesus Christ. Now, that’s not to say that missionary efforts aimed at meeting physical necessities, such as providing education and medical care, digging wells, or supporting self-sufficient business models, are not worthwhile. However, without Christ, we are meeting temporary needs, not eternal needs. Spiritual poverty is true poverty, and Jesus is the only solution.
The second trend is missionaries as “alongsiders.” In his brief but helpful book Insiders and Alongsiders: An Invitation to the Conversation, Kevin Higgins discusses Insider Movements (IMs), which have been the source of much debate and controversy. At the core, IMs seek to have churches led and decisions made by cultural insiders: those native to a context or a culture. This means that global missionaries are, by definition, outsiders. Higgins points out that the insider/outsider terminology often used by IMs may not be helpful and suggests that the term “alongsider” is gaining traction and is more in line with how missionaries can come alongside what God is doing in a specific region and people.
In my own sending agency, United World Mission, we seek to address the global leadership crisis by coming alongside local leaders to provide formal and non-formal training. Gordon-Conwell’s Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) estimates there are a total of 5 million pastors/priests in all Christian traditions worldwide. They estimate that only 5% have any formal theological training. Providing this training to local leaders will establish healthy churches with the ability to engage in holistic ministry.
Christianity is growing worldwide, and according to the CSGC, it is “exploding” in the global south. The Holy Spirit is at work through faithful local leaders and missionaries. Many innovations and strategies have been prayerfully implemented to preach the gospel to everyone more effectively and efficiently. Recent developments around the world have led many to rethink missional strategy. But one thing faithful followers of Christ never have to rethink is our message: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
by Pastor Su Kim
