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A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. The English word "missionary" is derived from Latin, the equivalent of the Greek-derived word, "apostle". In Judeo-Christian cultures the term is most commonly used for missions to propagate Biblical faiths, but it applies just as well to any proselytizing creed or ideology. While some faiths, especially those focused on ancestor cult and/or local spirits, as in Animisms (in many tribal and/or 'natural' cultures) and Japanese Shintoism, make little or no effort to spread beyond their ethno-cultural home societies, most religions have a less exclusive creed and do engage in missionary activities to propagate it. Evangelism is the proclaiming of the Christian Gospel. ...
The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...
The Twelve Apostles (in Koine Greek απόστολος apostolos [1], someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Galilean Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles...
In religion, the term Animism is used in a number of ways. ...
Shintō (Japanese: 神道) is the native religion of Japan. ...
Although missionaries can be sent by any religion, the word is most often used to refer to Christian missionaries. Buddhism, in fact, launched 'the first large-scale missionary effort in the history of the world's religions' (Foltz, R.C., Religions of the silk road, 1999, p.37) Missionaries of all religions make up just one component of Faith-Based Foreign Aid. Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, known by Christians as Jesus Christ, and the New Testament accounts of his life, teachings, and actions. ...
Faith-based foreign aid refers to the contributions made to low income or impoverished countries motivated by religious reasons. ...
Christian missions
Since the Lausanne Congress of 1974, a widely accepted definition of a Christian mission has been "to form a viable indigenous church-planting movement." This definition is motivated by theological analyses of the acts required to enhance God's reputation (usually expressed as "glory" or "honor"). The definition is claimed to summarize the acts of Jesus' ministry, which is taken as a model for all ministries. The motivation is said to be God's will, plainly stated throughout the Bible, including the Old Testament. The First International Congress on World Evangelization held from July 16. ...
1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ...
Most missionaries promote economic development, literacy, education, health care and orphanages as well. Standard Christian doctrines (the Doctrine of Love) cause most missions to give this aid without requiring conversion. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
World literacy rates by country The traditional definition of Literacy is the ability to read,write, listen, and speak. ...
Health care or healthcare is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical, nursing, and allied health professions [1]. The organised provision of such services may constitute a healthcare system. ...
An orphanage is an institution dedicated to caring for orphans (children who have lost their parents). ...
See also: Christian Mission Since the Lausanne Congress of 1974, a widely-accepted definition of a Christian mission has been to form a viable indigenous church-planting movement. ...
In the Bible According to the documents of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, the Biblical authority for missions begins quite early in Genesis, 12:1-3, in which Abraham is blessed so that through him and his descendants, all the "peoples" of the world would be blessed. The Bible also says in Matthew 28:20 that the apostles were to "make disciples of all nations" Others point to God's wish, often expressed in the Bible, that all peoples of the earth would worship Him. Therefore, Christian missions go where worship is not, in order to bring worship to God... The Bible (From Greek βιβλια—biblia, meaning books, which in turn is derived from βυβλος—byblos meaning papyrus, from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported papyrus) is the sacred scripture of Christianity. ...
Genesis (Greek: ΓÎνεσις, having the meanings of birth, creation, cause, beginning, source and origin), also called The First Book of Moses, is the first book of Torah (five books of Moses), and is the first book of the Tanakh, part of the Hebrew Bible; it is also the first book of...
It has been suggested that Abraham (Hebrew Bible) be merged into this article or section. ...
Catholic missions During the Age of Discovery, the Roman Catholic Church established a number of Missions in the Americas and other colonies, in order to spread Christianity in the New World and to convert the Native Americans and other indigenous 'heathens'. These are arguably the most well-known missions in history. The so-called Age of Discovery or Age of Exploration was a period from the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century, during which European ships travelled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners to feed burgeoning capitalism in Europe. ...
For other uses of the term, see Catholic Church (disambiguation). ...
Since the Lausanne Congress of 1974, a widely-accepted definition of a Christian mission has been to form a viable indigenous church-planting movement. ...
A Hupa man, 1923 The term indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas before the arrival of the European explorers in the 15th century, as well as many present-day ethnic groups who identify themselves with those historical peoples. ...
As the church normally organizes itself along territorial lines, it was logical for the missions, especially in early phases, to be undertaken largely by orders and congregations, which are more personal and flexible then the secular hierarchy. Over time a new structure is established in the mission area, often starting with special jurisdictions known an apostolic prefecture and apostolic vicariate, which aim to 'graduate' to regular diocesan status, often finally topped of with one of more archbishops, even a cardinal, as the young church is considered 'grown up', especially after a former colony's independence.
Catholic missionary congregations Some examples include; Franciscans is the common name used to designate a variety of mendicant religious orders of men or women tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi and following the Rule of St. ...
The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ...
The Salesians of Don Bosco (or the Salesian Society, originally known as the Society of St. ...
This missionary society, known under the name of White Fathers ( This article incorporates text from the Catholic Encyclopedia, which is in the public domain. ...
This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...
The Spanish Missions of California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, but with the added benefit of giving Spain a toehold in the frontier...
The entrance lobby and belfry of the Mission San LuÃs Obispo de Tolosa in June 2004. ...
Painting of the mission Known as The Queen of the Missions, Mission Santa Bárbara in California was founded on December 4, 1786 by Father Fermin Lasuen, who had taken over the Presidency of the California mission chain upon the death of Father Junipero Serra. ...
Mission San Juan Bautista was founded on June 24, 1797 by Father Fermin de Lasuen, the fifteenth mission in the California mission chain. ...
Not to be confused with St. ...
Protestant missions An expert is someone widely recognized as a reliable source of knowledge, technique, or skill whose judgment is accorded authority and status by the public or their peers. ...
Other Christian Groups
Jehovah's Witness missionaries - See also: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their missionary activities. Typically, all adult Witnesses are expected to spend time every week "witnessing" in their area. Depending on the laws in the respective country, this can take the form of proselytizing door to door, distribution of magazines and other literature (The Watchtower and Awake!) and responding to the questions of passersby. Jehovahs Witnesses are organized into a hierarchy. ...
Jehovahs Witnesses offer copies of The Watchtower from door to door or, when approval is given, wherever people might read them. ...
Awake! is a general-interest magazine published by Jehovahs Witnesses. ...
Some Witnesses volunteer to pledge seventy hours a month (regular pioneers) or fifty hours (auxiliary pioneers) in their local areas. Called "pioneer service," it is of particular importance in areas where the need of publishers is great. Such pioneers attend special seminars and courses to refine their teaching ability. The requirements are challenging, as Jehovah's Witnesses do not receive salaries for their ministerial work. A pioneer strives for self-sufficiency, often working part or full time while fulfilling ministerial obligations. This is especially important when working in poorer nations where they need to provide for their own needs while organizing congregations. Jehovahs Witnesses are organized into a hierarchy. ...
Foreign missionaries take on additional special tasks, such as establishing congregations, translating literature and organizing building projects (as well as relief work) in remote areas and countries. This requires a commitment to at least 120 hours monthly in the public ministry. To prepare them for this, a special training course is provided semi-annually for Jehovah's Witnesses who qualify (by experience and circumstance) to perform this service, and is held at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. All of their basic needs (including food, clothing, shelter and transportation) are fully provided, and they visit their countries of origin at least once every five years. Additionally, in recent years a school for single elders and ministerial servants has been established, the Ministerial Training School. This three-month training period consists of a program similar to Gilead in it course-work, however the schools are held regionally rather than in a central location as with Gilead. Upon graduation, the students return to their home congregations for a period of time after which they are then sent out to areas in need. At times this includes foreign missionary fields, depending on their linguist abilities and circumstances. Watchtower Bible School of Gilead is the name given to the missionary school of Jehovahs Witnesses. ...
Jehovahs Witnesses are organized into a hierarchy. ...
Jehovahs Witnesses are organized into a hierarchy. ...
Latter-Day Saint missionaries - Main article: Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work. Young men between the ages of 19 and 26 are encouraged to go on a two-year, full-time proselyting mission. This is usually served in a foreign country or different area of the country from where the missionary lives. Young women and retired couples may serve missions as well. Missionaries typically spend one to two months in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, UT or in other MTCs throughout the world, studying scripture, learning new languages, and otherwise preparing themselves for the culture in which they will be living. The LDS church has about 52,000 missionaries worldwide. [1] A Mormon missionary is a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church). ...
The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ...
Muslim missionary activity Islam, the second largest religion next to Christianity, spread rapidly from the Arabian Peninsula with invasions, explorers, traders and caravans after the death of the prophet Muhammad. Spreading towards southern Asia was done by explorers and later Arab generals, resulting in small conflicts and battles. Islam spread to southeast Asia with sailors and traders. Islam (Arabic: ; ( ), submission (to the will of God) is a monotheistic faith and the worlds second-largest religion. ...
The Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula (in Arabic: شبه الجزيرة العربية) is a peninsula in Southwest Asia at the junction of Africa and Asia consisting mainly of desert. ...
Look up caravan and Caravan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
The Quran identifies a number of men as Prophets of Islam (Arabic: nabee نبي ; pl. ...
For other people named Muhammad, see Muhammad (disambiguation). ...
From the start political leaders (originally the Caliphs, meant to head both religion and universal Islamic community) actively and often aggressively, spread their religion and their rule, using holy war (the military application of jihad) to establish a new Muslim social order. Once state authority was wrested from the Dar al-Harb (land of war) to the Dar al-Islam (land of Islam), Islamic rulers were relatively accommodating for "people of the book" (Christians and Jews) as long as they accepted Muslim rule, refrained from public worship, and paid a tax called jizya as a "protected" minority. While this certainly went further than strictly missionary activity, this served as a great aid in converting conquered lands. Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ...
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
Dar al-Harb (Arabic: house of war) is a term used in many Islamic countries to refer to those areas outside Muslim rule. ...
Dar al-Islam (Arabic: دار الإسلام literally house of submission) is a term used to refer to those lands under Muslim government(s). ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
In states ruled by Islamic law, jizya or jizyah (Arabic: جزْية) is a per capita tax imposed on non-Muslim adult males. ...
However, once the political expansion, "planting the green banner of faith" had met its limits, the focus had to shift from the "integral" model of Islamizing whole communities, to voluntary conversion drives, or "dawah", which had always been important. Dawah (دعوة, literally: summons or call, also dawa) is an Arabic term meaning invite or invitation, and is used in Islam to refer primarily to the activity of proselytizing though it has historically encompassed a wide range of meanings (Hirschkind 2004, p. ...
Since the 20th century, funding by Muslim governments was used to open Islamic schools and mosques. Generous donations, especially from Gulf States, has enabled Islam to make significant advances, especially in black Africa.
A Muslim missionary is often called a Caller to Islam which is the English adaptation of the Arabic word Da`ee or Da'i for one who proselytises for Islam. The term Caller to Islam is an English adaptation of the Arabic word Da`ee. ...
Dawah (دعوة, literally: summons or call, also dawa) is an Arabic term meaning invite or invitation, and is used in Islam to refer primarily to the activity of proselytizing though it has historically encompassed a wide range of meanings (Hirschkind 2004, p. ...
See a List of callers to Islam for prominent Da`ees. The following is a list of famous callers to Islam (or Daees). ...
India-based religions - Hinduism
- Buddhism was fairly successful in converting most non-Hindu societies (mainly in South east Asia), except in their native Indian subcontinent; later the Malay countries were largely converted to Islam, while Christianity had some more concentrated successes.
- Jainism
- Sikhism
Jewish missions In ancient times, the Hebrew patriarch Abraham and his wife Sarah were considered to be the prime role-models to "convert" the masses to Monotheism based on the verse in the Book of Genesis: It has been suggested that Abraham (Hebrew Bible) be merged into this article or section. ...
Monotheism (in Greek μόνος = single and θεός = God), in contrast with polytheism, is the belief in one god, simply put it is the belief in a single deity. ...
Genesis (Greek: ΓÎνεσις, having the meanings of birth, creation, cause, beginning, source and origin) is the first book of the Torah (five books of Moses) and hence the first book of the Tanakh, part of the Hebrew Bible; it is also the first book of the Christian Old Testament. ...
"God said to Abram, 'Go away from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you ... Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their belongings, as well as the people they had gathered, and they left, heading toward Canaan..." [2] (Genesis 12:1;5).
"[T]he people they had gathered" is interpreted to mean the people whom Abraham and Sarah had brought over to the belief in the Hebrew God worshipped by Abraham and Sarah themselves.
Additional to this there is the example of the conversion of the Moabite woman Ruth as written in The Book of Ruth. This is commonly given as precedence for conversion in a contemporary context. The Book of Ruth is a book in the Hebrew Bible known to Jews as the Tanakh and to Christians as the Old Testament. ...
Modern Jewish teachers repudiate proselytization of Gentiles in order to convert them. The reason for this is that Gentiles already have a complete relationship with God via the Noahidic covenant (See Noahide Laws); there is therefore no need for them to become Jewish, which requires more work of them. In addition, Judaism espouses a concept of "quality" not "quantity". It is more important in the eyes of Jews to have converts who are completely committed to observing Jewish law, than to have converts who will violate the Abrahamic covenant of which they have just been initiated. The English language word proselytism is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix pros (towards) and the verb erchomai (to come). ...
The Noahide Laws (Hebrew: שבע מצוות ×‘× ×™ × ×— -- Seven Noahide Laws), also called the Brit Noah (Covenant [of] Noah) are the mitzvot (commandments) and halakhot (laws) that Judaism teaches that all non-Jews are morally bound to follow. ...
However, most Jewish religious groups encourage "Outreach" to Jews alienated from their own heritage due to assimilation and intermarriage. The overall movement encourages Jews to become more observant of Jewish religious law (known as halakha). Those people who do become religious are known as Baal teshuvas. The large Hasidic group known as Chabad Lubavitch has internationally promoted such "outreach." Others, such as the National Jewish Outreach Program do the same in North America. Halakha (Hebrew: הלכה; also transliterated as Halakhah, Halacha, and Halachah) is the collective corpus of Jewish religious law, including biblical law (the 613 mitzvot) and later talmudic and rabbinic law as well as customs and traditions. ...
Baal teshuva (or baal teshuvah) (Hebrew: lit. ...
Hasidic Judaism (from the Hebrew: Chasidut חסידות, meaning pious, from the Hebrew root word chesed חסד meaning loving kindness) is a Haredi Jewish religious movement. ...
Belarus, where Lubavitch originated Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994) the seventh Rebbe of Chabad Lubavitch. ...
The National Jewish Outreach Program, known as NJOP, is a Jewish adult education and outreach organization that was founded in 1987, by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, a leading rabbi at the Lincoln Square Synagogue New York City. ...
In recent times, members of the American Reform movement began a program to convert to Judaism the non-Jewish spouses of its intermarried members and non-Jews who have an interest in Judaism. Their rationale is that so many Jews were lost during the Holocaust that newcomers must be sought out and welcomed. This approach has been repudiated by Orthodox and Conservative Jews as unrealistic and posing a danger. They say that these efforts make Judaism seem an easy religion to join and observe when in reality being Jewish entails many difficulties and sacrifices. Reform Judaism can refer to (1) the largest denomination of Judaism in America and its sibling movements in other countries, (2) a branch of Judaism in the United Kingdom, and (3) the historical predecessor of the American movement that originated in 19th Century Germany. ...
Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people with around 15 million followers as of 2006 [1]. It is one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths and one of the oldest religious traditions still practiced today. ...
Selection at the Auschwitz ramp in 1944, where the German Nazis chose whom to kill immediately and whom to use as slave labor or for medical experimentation, such as those of the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele. ...
Orthodox Judaism is the stream of Judaism which adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized in the Talmud (The Oral Law) and later codified in the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law). It is governed by these works and the Rabbinical commentary...
Conservative Judaism, also known as Masorti Judaism, is a modern denomination of Judaism that arose in United States in the early 1900s. ...
However, these practises of active conversion no longer appear to be contemporary and whilst it may have been a popular notion, it does not appear to be representative of Reform Judaism as a whole. See http://rj.org/policies.shtml for the history and policies of Reform Judaism. Reform Judaism can refer to (1) the largest denomination of Judaism in America and its sibling movements in other countries, (2) a branch of Judaism in the United Kingdom, and (3) the historical predecessor of the American movement that originated in 19th Century Germany. ...
Non-religious missionaries The original meaning of the word "missionary" is not specifically religious, but refers instead to anyone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program.
See also In history, alternative, but less ethical, conversion-inducing methods are by force, such as a religious war, (see Christian Crusades and the Islamic Jihad for examples), or via socio-economic stimuli by the dominant religion (such as reserving offices and privileges, and/or lower taxation for adherents). Since the Lausanne Congress of 1974, a widely-accepted definition of a Christian mission has been to form a viable indigenous church-planting movement. ...
Dawah (دعوة, literally: summons or call, also dawa) is an Arabic term meaning invite or invitation, and is used in Islam to refer primarily to the activity of proselytizing though it has historically encompassed a wide range of meanings (Hirschkind 2004, p. ...
The English language word proselytism is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix pros (towards) and the verb erchomai (to come). ...
Religious conversion is the adoption of new religious beliefs that differ from the converts previous beliefs; in some cultures (e. ...
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
Short-Term Missions (STM) is a trend in Christian missions that is mobilizing thousands as missionaries for short periods of time ranging from days to a year. ...
The Spanish Missions of California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans, but with the added benefit of giving Spain a toehold in the frontier...
This article is in need of attention. ...
This article is about the medieval crusades. ...
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
The missionary position The missionary position is a common human sex position also used by bonobos and armadillos (no other land mammals have been observed to use it). ...
The Missionary Generation is the designation given by Strauss and Howe in their book Generations to that generation in the United States of America born from 1860 to 1882. ...
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