Chapter 8

Christian Missions
and the Future

The Trinity
Father

Son

Holy Spirit

Israel
A type for the Church
Priests
Temple

Kings

Prophets
Zion

Nations

Ministry of Jesus
A model for the Church
The Twelve

Discipler

The Synagogue
Shepherd

Sender

Two by Two
as Apostles

Ministry of Jesus
A model for the Church
The Twelve

Discipler

The Synagogue
Shepherd

Sender

Two by Two
as Apostles

The Church in Acts

A missional church
Discipling Ministry

Local Churches

Apostolic Teams

The Church in Acts

A missional church
Discipling Ministry

Local Churches

Apostolic Teams

The Roman Catholic Church

in 1500
Church

Pope

Universities

Monastic Orders

The Roman Catholic Church

in 1500
Church

Pope

Universities

Monastic Orders

The Reformation
15001700
Denominations and Churches

No recognized
apostolic structure
for nearly 300 years

Universities

The Reformation
15001700
Denominations and Churches

No recognized
apostolic structure
for nearly 300 years

Universities

Protestants in the 20th Century

Congregations

Mission
Agencies

Training
Institutions

Para-Church Predation
Congregations

Mission
Agencies

Training
Institutions

Para-Church Predation
Congregations

Mission
Agencies

Training
Institutions

The Church in the 21st C

A missional Church once more?
Discipling Ministry

Local Churches

Apostolic Teams

The Local Church

A Seedbed for Missions
Discipling Ministries

Local
Fellowship

Apostolic
Commitments

On becoming a Missional Church

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

a clear vision statement on missions

a pastoral team committed to missions
an effective structure to handle the business of missions
a good missions policy statement
a regular program of teaching on missions to all Christians
missions, an integral part of every ministry in the church
a high profile for missions
a commitment to regular prayer for missions
a recruitment and training program to prepare harvesters
a realistic policy on giving and support

Definition of Missionary
GREEK: Apostoleo = I send with a message
Used in the Greek New Testament
English translations of the Bibles use the form Apostle
LATIN: Missiones = sending (plural)
First used for missionary by the Jesuits in 1598
The word does not occur in modern translations of the Bible,
but is used in common speech rather than the biblical apostle.

Christians and Missions

Near Cultural

Cross-Cultural

Church
Attenders
Great Commission
Christians
1,500 1,200 900

600

300

300

Christians in Millions

Note: These statistics include all who belong to

one or more of the major Christian megablocs.

Christian Workers and Missions

CrossCultural

Near Cultural

Christian
Workers
Mission Trippers
12

10

Christian Workers in Millions

Christian workers of all Christian megablocs are included.

Mission trippers are predominantly those who are involved
in holiday or very short term field visits or ministry.

Cycle of Mission Ministry

Support

tin

Sp
ec
ial
ist

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

Ch

ur

ch
p

lan

hip
ers
ad
Le

Training

All mission-related
ministries can be
grouped into six
broad categories.
These include
multiple ministries
which often
straddle more than
one category.
There is a
progressive cycle
of ministry from
support to pioneer
evangelism, then
church planting,
then leadership
training, etc.

Cycle of Mission Ministry

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

Ecological
Justice issues
Environmental
Children/ Youth
Unreached peoples
Mass evangelism
Media evangelism
Personal evangelism

Training

Ch

ur

ch
p

lan

hip
ers
ad
Le

tin

Sp
ec
ial
ist

Support

These lists are only

representative of a
wide range of
ministries that could
be listed here.

Evangelism
Ecological
Justice Issues
Environmental
Children/Youth
Unreached Peoples
Mass Evangelism
Media Evangelism
Personal Evangelism

Cycle of Mission Ministry

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

Ecological
Justice issues
Environmental
Children/ Youth
Unreached peoples
Mass evangelism
Media evangelism
Personal evangelism

Training

These lists are only

representative of a
wide range of
ministries that could
be listed here.

Church

lan

tin

Planting

ch
p

ur

hip
ers
ad
Le

Leadership development
Anthropology
Team-building
Discipling
Teaching
Training
Planting

Ch

Sp
ec
ial
ist

Support

Leadership
Development
Anthropology
Team-building
Church Planting
Training
Teaching
Discipling

Cycle of Mission Ministry

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

tin
lan

ch
p

Bible Correspondence Courses

Training

ur

hip
ers
ad
Le

Leadership development
Anthropology
Team-building
Discipling
Teaching
TEE
Training
Internet
Planting
Theological Schools

Ecological
Justice issues
Environmental
Children/ Youth
Unreached peoples
Mass evangelism
Media evangelism
Personal evangelism

Ch

Sp
ec
ial
ist

Support

These lists are only

representative of a
wide range of
ministries that could
be listed here.

Training
Theological
Schools
Internet Studies
Correspondence
Courses
TEE

Cycle of Mission Ministry

Support
Sp
ec
ial
ist

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

Bible Correspondence Courses

Training

ur

tin
lan

ch
p

Leadership development
Anthropology
Team-building
Discipling
Teaching
TEE
Training
Internet
Planting
Theological Schools

Ch

hip
ers
ad
Le

International
Regional
Field
Partnerships
Mentoring
Research
Strategy

Ecological
Justice issues
Environmental
Children/ Youth
Unreached peoples
Mass evangelism
Media evangelism
Personal evangelism

These lists are only

representative of a
wide range of
ministries that could
be listed here.

Leadership
International
Regional
Field
Partnerships
Mentoring
Research
Strategy

Cycle of Mission Ministry

Support

Bible Correspondence Courses

Training

ur

tin
lan

ch
p

Leadership development
Anthropology
Team-building
Discipling
Teaching
TEE
Training
Internet
Planting
Theological Schools

Ecological
Justice issues
Environmental
Children/ Youth
Unreached peoples
Mass evangelism
Media evangelism
Personal evangelism

Ch

Sp
ec
ial
ist
hip
ers
ad
Le

International
Regional
Field
Partnerships
Mentoring
Research
Strategy

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

Social
Media
Medical
Literacy
Aviation
Internet
Literature
Education
Bible translation
Relief and development

These lists are only

representative of a
wide range of
ministries that could
be listed here.

Specialist
Ministries
Social
Bible translation
Media
Education
Medical
Literacy
Aviation
Internet
Literature
Relief and
Development

Cycle of Mission Ministry

Support

Bible Correspondence Courses

Training

ur

g
tin

ch
p

Leadership development
Anthropology
Team-building
Discipling
Teaching
TEE
Training
Internet
Planting
Theological Schools

Ch

hip
ers
ad
Le

International
Regional
Field
Partnerships
Mentoring
Research
Strategy

lan

Sp
ec
ial
ist

m
lis
ge
an
Ev

Recruitment/Mobilization
Prayer ministry
Social
Administrative
Media
Ecological
Medical
Member Care
Justice issues
Literacy
MK ministries
Environmental
Aviation
Children/ Youth
Logistical
Internet
Unreached peoples
Pastoral
Literature
Mass evangelism
Education
Media evangelism
Bible translation
Personal evangelism
Relief and development

These lists are only

representative of a
wide range of
ministries that could
be listed here.

Support
ministries
Recruitment
Mobilization
Prayer ministry
Administration
Member care
MK ministries
Logistics
Pastoral

Modern Definition of Missionary

The Christian missionary is someone commissioned by

a local church or denomination to evangelize and

disciple people outside his or her home area -- often
among people of a different race, culture, or language.

Counting Missionaries
There are differing perspectives on who is counted as a missionary that
vary with region and denomination:
1. North American
Anyone sent to evangelize, plant churches, or minister outside
their own country.
2. European and Latin American
Anyone sent to evangelize, plant churches, or minister crossculturally, whether in their own country or outside it.
3. African and Asian
Anyone sent to evangelize, plant churches, or minister outside
their home area -- whether cross-culturally or not -- and whether
in their own country or abroad.

The Operation World database allows for all three categories.

The number of missionaries sent

by a country in thousands.
Singapore
Finland
China, HK
New Zealand
Norway
Switzerland
Sri Lanka
Canada
Nepal
Australia
Korea, S
Netherlands
Myanmar
Thailand
Sweden
UK
Ukraine
Germany
India
USA
Brazil
South Africa
Philippines
Indonesia
Uganda
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Ghana

The number of missionaries sent

by a country in thousands.
Singapore
Finland
China, HK
New Zealand
Norway
Switzerland
Sri Lanka
Canada
Nepal
Australia
Korea, S
Netherlands
Myanmar
Thailand
Sweden
UK
Ukraine
Germany
India
USA
Brazil
South Africa
Philippines
Indonesia
Uganda
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Ghana

The average number of PAI churches

needed to send ONE missionary
0.7
1.5
2.1
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.7
3.1
3.3
4.2
4.3
4.9
4.9
5.2
5.6
6.4
6.5
7.2
7.6
14.5
14.9
18.8
24.9
28.1
33.6
39.4
41.8

2
4
7

Short
Term
Workers

Years of Service

10

15
20
25

Married
Couples
Single
Workers
(Majority
being
Women)

30

35
40

Near Culture 48% Cross Culture 52%

Missionary
Career
Path
A Model

2
4
7

Ministry Phase
Preparation 15%
Short
Term
Workers

Field Experience
being acquired 45%

Married
Couples

Best Years for

Cross-Cultural
Impact 26%

Years of Service

10

15
20
25

Single
Workers
(Majority
being
Women)

Mature Ministries 14%

30

35
40

Near Culture 48% Cross Culture 52%

Missionary
Career
Path
A Model

The Sending of Missionaries

by Continent

% of all missionaries

Eu

NA

Pa

LA

As
Af

The Growth of AfAsLA

Missionary Numbers

Projection

% of all missionaries

Eu

79%

57%

NA

46%

LA

30%

AfAsLA

Pa
13%

As

8%

Af

The Global Total of

PIA Missionaries
India +42,000

Number of Missionaries in 1000s

300K

300

Korea +9,000

270
240
210

As
204K

China +20,000 or
more; not
counted in 2000

180

Nigeria +3,000

150

USA + 31,000
(mainly increase
in short termers)

NA

120
90
60

Af
Pa
LA
Eu

30
2000

2010

Operation World statistics for missionaries

Missionaries and their primary

religious environment
%

Religion

Number

43.0

Christians

87,000

7.2

Non-Religious

15,000

15.0

Hindu

30,000

17.0

Ethnic Religions

34,000

9.7
8.1

Buddhist
Muslim

20,000
16,300

Missionaries and their primary

religious environment
%of
ofregional
Missionaries
%
population

Af

As

Eu

Religion

LA

NA

Pa World

Missionary Sending in 2000

Number of
Missionaries
2,000
5,000
10,000
20,000

AfAsLA
EuNAPa

Missionaries to near cultures

Cross-cultural missionaries

Missionary Sending in 2000

Number of
Missionaries
2,000
5,000
10,000
20,000

AfAsLA
EuNAPa

Missionaries to near cultures

Cross-cultural missionaries

Average Population
per Missionary in 2000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000

30,000
20,000
10,000
0

Distribution of Missionaries
by continent of ministry
500

400

300

Missionaries in ,000s

Projection
Other
Pa
NA
LA
Eu

200

As
100

Af
0
1900 1911 1925 1949 1952 1957 1962 1968 1975 1993 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Distribution of Missionaries
by continent of ministry
500

400

300

200

Missionaries in thousands

This line represents a suggested correction

for under-reporting of African and Asian
serving missionaries
Asias reporting of missionaries has
improved since 1990, but it is likely
Africas missionary figures are
considerably higher than shown here.

Projection
Other
Pa
NA
LA
Eu

As
100

Af
0
1900 1911 1925 1949 1952 1957 1962 1968 1975 1993 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Missionaries and Christians

by continent
Number of missionaries/million

Christian % of population

250
200

100

80

The yellow bar shows the

percentage of the population
that is Christian.

150

50

100

31m

60
40

315m
812m

Af

3,676m

As

728m

Eu

523m

LA

6,084m

NA

Pa

World

20

Missionary Coverage
of Continents
Number of Missionaries/Million

250

31m

200

The number above the column

gives the total population of
the continent in millions.

150
100

50

315m
812m

Af

3,676m

As

728m

Eu

523m

LA

6,084m

NA

Pa

World

Top 20 Sending Countries

1900
Order Country
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

1960
No.

Order Country

UK
6,530
1
USA
5,591
2
Germany
1,833
3
India
837
4
South Africa
531
5
Australia
403
6
Canada
280
7
Sweden
235
8
Jamaica
156
9
Japan
146 10
France
132 11
Norway
132 12
Ireland
131 13
Netherlands
108 14
China
68 15
Trinidad
62 16
51 17
Switzerland
New Zealand
48 18
Sri Lanka
47 19
Denmark
35 20

2000
No.

20,500
USA
5,700
UK
3,600
Canada
1,500
India
1,400
Sweden
1,200
Norway
1,100
Australia
1,000
Germany
Netherlands 1,000
850
South Africa
720
New Zealand
600
Philippines
500
Switzerland
500
Brazil
400
Indonesia
400
Myanmar
380
Finland
200
Denmark
150
Singapore
France
140

Western world
Eu

Order Country
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

USA
India
Korea, S
UK
Canada
Brazil
Australia
Germany
Nigeria
Philippines
Myanmar
South Africa
New Zealand
Indonesia
Finland
Switzerland
Netherlands
Sweden
Norway
Nepal

2010
No.
64,084
41,064
12,279
8,164
7,001
5,801
4,167
3,953
3,351
3,188
3,151
2,548
1,694
1,573
1,449
1,404
1,341
1,126
1,045
957

Order Country
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

USA
India
Korea, S
China
Nigeria
UK
Canada
Philippines
Australia
Germany
Brazil
Indonesia
South Africa
Switzerland
Netherlands
Ghana
Ukraine
New Zealand
Sweden
Mexico

No.
95,000
82,950
21,500
20,000
6,644
6,405
5,200
4,500
3,756
3,712
3,438
3,000
2,300
2,183
2,000
2,000
1,599
1,200
1,143
1,139

Non-Western World
NA

LA

Pa

Af

As

Muslim majority

Top 20 Receiving Countries

1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

1960 (WCH)
Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
5 Papua N G
2258
6 Congo DR
1972
7 Nigeria
1559
8 Ethiopia
1418
9 Mexico
927
10 Philippines
748
11 Kenya
685
12 Indonesia
656
13 Zimbabwe
625
14 Tanzania
611
15 Colombia
592
16 Taiwan
548
17 Thailand
540
18 Zambia
500
19 Peru
482
20 Ecuador
466

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Top Receiving Countries

Europe, North America, Pacific
1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

1960 (WCH)
Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

Western world
Eu

NA

Pa

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
2258
5 Papua N G
1972
6 Congo DR
1559
7 Nigeria
1418
8 Ethiopia
927
9 Mexico
748
10 Philippines
685
11 Kenya
656
12 Indonesia
625
13 Zimbabwe
611
14 Tanzania
592
15 Colombia
548
16 Taiwan
540
17 Thailand
500
18 Zambia
482
19 Peru
466
20 Ecuador

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Top Receiving Countries

Latin America
1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria

1960 (WCH)

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

Western world
LA

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
2258
5 Papua N G
1972
6 Congo DR
1559
7 Nigeria
1418
8 Ethiopia
927
9 Mexico
748
10 Philippines
685
11 Kenya
656
12 Indonesia
625
13 Zimbabwe
611
14 Tanzania
592
15 Colombia
548
16 Taiwan
540
17 Thailand
500
18 Zambia
482
19 Peru
466
20 Ecuador

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Top Receiving Countries

Africa
1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria
Western world

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

1960 (WCH)
Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
2258
5 Papua N G
1972
6 Congo DR
1559
7 Nigeria
1418
8 Ethiopia
927
9 Mexico
748
10 Philippines
685
11 Kenya
656
12 Indonesia
625
13 Zimbabwe
611
14 Tanzania
592
15 Colombia
548
16 Taiwan
540
17 Thailand
500
18 Zambia
482
19 Peru
466
20 Ecuador
Non-Western World
Af

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Top Receiving Countries

Asia
1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria
Western world

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

1960 (WCH)
Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
2258
5 Papua N G
1972
6 Congo DR
1559
7 Nigeria
1418
8 Ethiopia
927
9 Mexico
748
10 Philippines
685
11 Kenya
656
12 Indonesia
625
13 Zimbabwe
611
14 Tanzania
592
15 Colombia
548
16 Taiwan
540
17 Thailand
500
18 Zambia
482
19 Peru
466
20 Ecuador
Non-Western World
Af

As

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Top Receiving Countries

EuNAPa and AfAsLA
1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria

1960 (WCH)

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

Western world
Eu

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
2258
5 Papua N G
1972
6 Congo DR
1559
7 Nigeria
1418
8 Ethiopia
927
9 Mexico
748
10 Philippines
685
11 Kenya
656
12 Indonesia
625
13 Zimbabwe
611
14 Tanzania
592
15 Colombia
548
16 Taiwan
540
17 Thailand
500
18 Zambia
482
19 Peru
466
20 Ecuador
Non-Western World

NA

LA

Pa

Af

As

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Top Receiving Countries

Religious influences
1900 (WMC)
Order Country
1 India
2 China
3 S Africa
4 Japan
5 USA
6 Indonesia
7 Cameroon
8 Congo, DR
9 Kenya
10 Nigeria
11 Korea, S
12 Canada
13 Madagascar
14 Turkey
15 Jamaica
16 Hong Kong
17 Palestine
18 Mexico
19 Myanmar
20 Syria

1960 (WCH)

No. Order
3,600 1
3,500 2
1,200 3
700 4
400 5
350 6
300 7
300 8
300 9
300 10
290 11
250 12
250 13
250 14
220 15
200 16
200 17
200 18
200 19
200 20

Country
India
S Africa
Japan
Nigeria
Congo, DR
Zimbabwe
Tanzania
Brazil
Philippines
Ethiopia
Indonesia
Kenya
Pakistan
Malaysia
Thailand
Papua N G
Peru
Argentina
Jamaica
Colombia

Western world
Eu

1975 (WCE)

No. Order Country

5161
1 USA
3791
2 S Africa
3144
3 Japan
2495
4 India
2258
5 Papua N G
1972
6 Congo DR
1559
7 Nigeria
1418
8 Ethiopia
927
9 Mexico
748
10 Philippines
685
11 Kenya
656
12 Indonesia
625
13 Zimbabwe
611
14 Tanzania
592
15 Colombia
548
16 Taiwan
540
17 Thailand
500
18 Zambia
482
19 Peru
466
20 Ecuador
Non-Western World

NA

LA

Pa

Af

2000 (OW)

No. Order Country

5,676
1 India
2,900
2 USA
2,633
3 Brazil
2,214
4 Philippines
2,066
5 UK
1,830
6 Japan
1,716
7 Nigeria
1,454
8 Indonesia
1,442
9 Myanmar
1,334 10 Canada
1,289 11 Australia
1,257 12 Kenya
1,137 13 Mexico
1,036 14 Russia
888 15 Papua N G
877 16 Thailand
844 17 S Africa
830 18 Germany
823 19 Korea, S
788 20 France

No.
42,023
20,219
6,966
5,051
4,179
3,683
3,534
3,416
3,263
3,114
2,965
2,870
2,695
2,584
2,556
2,377
2,344
2,283
2,043
1,746

Strong influence from

As

Islam

Buddhism

Known Global Agencies

by Continent - 2000
Operation World 2000 database listing of
3,180 national mission-sending entities

184
Pa
672
NA
LA

539

620
Af

As
Eu

601

564

Distribution by continent

Agencies Covered
in Operation World 2000
Operation World 2000 database listing of
3,180 national mission-sending entities

Operation World 2000

book listing

184
Pa
672
NA
LA
539

620
Af

As
Eu

601

564

Distribution by Continent

109 Mission
agencies
with a total
of 1,647
national
bases

Many
smaller
agencies,
often with
workers from
a single
nation with
1,533
national
bases

Main Ministries of Mission Agencies

in Operation World
Young people

Aid

Training
Support
Media
Church planting

General

2000
Evangelism

2010

The 22 Largest
Mission Agencies - 2010
Mission Name in 2010
Campus Crusade for Christ Int
Gospel for Asia
Operation Mobilisation
International Mission Board (SBC)
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Youth With A Mission
New Tribes Mission
Assemblies of God
Gospel Echoing Missionary Society
Vishwa Vani
Indian Evangelical Team
Global Mission SocietyPresby Ch
Synod Mission Board
WEC International
SIM International
OMF International
Pioneers
Presbyterian Church (Tonghap)
Assoc. of Baptists for World Evang.
Great Commission Movement Trust
Native Missionary Movement India
Interserve

Workers Origins
9,913
9,550
6,332
5,512
5,021
5,000
2,467
2,355
2,205
2,123
2,093
1,991
1,826
1,819
1,600
1,557
1,166
1,144
1,053
1,045
1,012
1,006

USA/Int.
India
UK/USA/Int.
USA
USA/Int.
USA/Int.
USA/Int.
USA
India
India
India
Korea
India
UK/Int.
USA
UK/Int.
Int.
Korea
USA
India
India
UK/Int.

Nationalities
118
11
79
6
35
132
32
58
1
1
2
3
1
53
26
23
27
1
3
1
1
14

Fields 2010
128
9
87
100
50
154
26
153
4
11
3
100
1
80
51
22
70
83
61
1
1
22

Burning Questions for Today

Western countries found it hard to work together in missions

in the 20th Century. How much more challenging is it likely to
be with Africans, Asians and Latin Americans all involved with
Westerners in missions? How will Western agencies and
churches have to change for the sake of unity in ministry?

How can missions become more sensitive to local churches?

How can local churches become more missional in their vision?

And how can trainers become more aware that academic

excellence is no substitute for godliness in those sent out to
serve in churches and missions?

Chapter 8

Christian Missions
and the Future