DO MISSIONARIES MATTER TODAY?

B Y   D A V I D   M c Q U E L

The founding of the CMS

The Preaching of the gospel is Christ’s greatest commission to the global Church, Mark 16:15. The preaching of the gospel stands as Christ’s greatest commission to the global Church, as recorded in Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” This command is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate that defines the mission and identity of the Church. It emphasizes universality, calling believers to transcend cultural, ethnic, and geographical boundaries to proclaim the good news of salvation. The gospel itself is the message of Christ’s death, resurrection, and promise of eternal life, and its proclamation ensures that humanity encounters God’s grace and truth.

For the Church, this commission establishes preaching as the central task, shaping worship, discipleship, and service. It is through preaching that faith is awakened, communities are transformed, and nations are impacted. The global dimension of the command underscores

inclusivity, reminding the Church that no group is beyond the reach of God’s love. In contexts marked by division, injustice, or despair, preaching becomes a source of hope and reconciliation.

Moreover, the commission links obedience to mission: the Church fulfills its calling by actively engaging in evangelism. This responsibility is not limited to clergy but extends to every believer, making the entire body of Christ a witness to the world. The effectiveness of

the Church’s mission is measured by its faithfulness to this command, as preaching ensures continuity of the gospel across generations.

In essence, Mark 16:15 positions preaching as the heartbeat of Christian mission. It is Christ’s greatest commission because it sustains the Church’s relevance, empowers believers to live out their faith, and advances God’s kingdom globally. By embracing this mandate, the Church fulfills its divine purpose, ensuring that the message of salvation reaches all

people and transforms societies.

Going to the nations of the earth was not a temporary command. According to Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” This verse makes clear that going to the nations of the earth was never a temporary command but a permanent, ongoing responsibility of the global Church. Christ’s words tie the preaching of the gospel directly to the fulfillment of

Reinhard Bonnke Preaching

God’s ultimate plan, showing that evangelism is not optional or time-bound but central to history’s divine purpose.

The command to go to the nations is enduring because it is linked to the consummation of the age. Until the gospel reaches every nation, tribe, and people, the mission remains incomplete. This means the Church must continually engage in evangelism, discipleship, and cross-cultural missions, ensuring that no community is excluded from hearing the message of salvation. The permanence of this command also reflects God’s universal love, which transcends boundaries and calls believers to embrace inclusivity in their witness.

Furthermore, Matthew 24:14 positions the preaching of the gospel as both a testimony and a sign. It is a testimony to God’s grace and justice, offering salvation to all, while also serving as a sign of the approaching end. This dual role underscores the urgency and relevance of the mission across generations. The Church cannot treat it as a temporary project but as its defining mandate until Christ returns.

In practice, this means that every believer and congregation must see themselves as participants in a global mission. Whether through direct preaching, support for missions, or living out the gospel in daily life, the command remains binding. The continuity of this mission ensures that the Church remains faithful to Christ’s vision, advancing God’s kingdom and preparing the world for His return. Thus, Matthew 24:14 affirms that going to the nations is not a temporary command but Christ’s enduring commission, shaping the identity, purpose, and future of the global Church.

 

Early evangelism in the North African Region.

The witness of believers in Alexandria and Carthage profoundly shaped early evangelism in

North Africa between AD 200 and AD 400. In Alexandria, the Catechetical School became a beacon of Christian scholarship, where leaders like Clement and Origen combined biblical teaching with philosophy to defend the faith. Their intellectual witness attracted converts and strengthened the church’s credibility in a region dominated by Greco-Roman thought. Beyond scholarship, the courage of Christians under persecution also served as a powerful testimony, showing that faith could endure even in hostile environments.

In Carthage, evangelism flourished through both theological writings and lived witness. Tertullian articulated doctrines such as the Trinity, giving Latin Christianity a strong theological foundation. Later, Cyprian of Carthage emphasized unity and discipline, guiding the church through crises of persecution and internal division. The martyrdom of believers like Perpetua and Felicity became enduring examples of faith, inspiring conversions and reinforcing the strength of Christian communities. Their witness demonstrated that evangelism was not only about preaching but also about living faithfully, even unto death.

Together, Alexandria and Carthage illustrate how early evangelism in North Africa was advanced through intellectual defense, pastoral leadership, and the testimony of martyrs. Between AD 200 and 400, these centers ensured that Christianity spread beyond local boundaries, influencing the wider Roman world. Their legacy shows that the gospel was proclaimed not only through words but through lives transformed by faith, making North Africa a vital cradle of Christian mission and theology.

The rise of 19th-century missionary enterprise. The spread of the gospel in the 19th‑century missionary enterprise was one of the most transformative movements in modern Christian history. Missionary societies from Europe and North America, such as the London Missionary Society and the Church Missionary Society, sent workers across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Their efforts were driven by the conviction that evangelism was both a spiritual duty and a civilizing mission. Through preaching, education, and medical work, missionaries sought to embody the gospel in practical ways that addressed human needs. Schools and translation projects, such as the rendering of the Bible into local languages, enabled indigenous communities to engage directly with Christian teachings.

In Africa, missionaries like David Livingstone combined exploration with evangelism, opening new regions to both commerce and Christianity. In Asia, figures such as Hudson Taylor pioneered contextual approaches, adopting local customs to make the gospel more accessible. The enterprise was not without challenges: resistance from traditional religions, colonial entanglements, and cultural misunderstandings often complicated the mission. Yet the witness of missionaries through sacrificial service and perseverance left a lasting legacy.

David Livingstone

By the end of the century, the missionary movement had established churches, schools, and hospitals across continents, laying foundations for indigenous leadership and global Christianity. The 19th‑century enterprise thus represents a crucial chapter in the expansion of the gospel, demonstrating how faith, education, and service combined to transform societies and extend the reach of Christianity worldwide.

 

The need of the nations today.

The ever‑growing need for missionaries today worldwide reflects both spiritual and social realities in a rapidly changing global context. Despite technological advances and increased connectivity, vast populations remain unreached by the gospel, particularly in regions of Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Missionaries are essential in bridging these gaps, bringing the message of Christ to communities where Christianity is either unknown or marginalized. Beyond preaching, they embody the gospel through acts of service, including education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, which address pressing human needs while opening doors for evangelism.

Modern challenges such as secularism, religious pluralism, and political restrictions make missionary work more complex, yet they also highlight its urgency. In societies where faith is declining, missionaries help rekindle spiritual awareness, while in areas of persecution, they provide encouragement and solidarity to struggling believers. The global Church depends on missionaries to contextualize the gospel, translating it into local languages and cultures so that it resonates authentically.

Furthermore, missionaries contribute to global justice by advocating for peace, reconciliation, and social transformation. Their presence often strengthens local churches, equipping indigenous leaders to sustain the mission long‑term. As globalization intensifies cultural exchange, the need for faithful witnesses who can navigate diversity and embody Christ’s love becomes even more critical. Thus, the missionary enterprise remains indispensable today, ensuring that the gospel continues to spread, communities are uplifted, and the Church fulfills its universal calling.

We need the Maps again

The love of God and the free gift of salvation through Christ Jesus remain available because they are timeless expressions of divine grace, not limited by era or circumstance. Humanity’s greatest spiritual need is reconciliation with God, as sin separates man from his Creator. Salvation through Christ offers forgiveness, renewal, and eternal life, meeting this deepest need. In a world marked by brokenness, fear, and uncertainty, the gospel provides hope, peace, and purpose. God’s love continues to invite all people to embrace Christ, ensuring that salvation remains universally accessible and eternally relevant.