Who Are Some Modern Christian Missionaries?
The New Testament discusses the beginning of missionary work, with the apostles—like Peter and Paul—sharing God’s love with the world around them, and modern Christian missionaries carry on with this same desire to share the Good News. There are some very well-known missionaries of more modern times. Hudson Taylor poured his life into bringing the love of Christ to China for fifty-one years. He respected the Chinese culture and way of life, learning their dialects and even adopting their clothing. Dr. Nelson Bell served the people of China for twenty-five years, meeting spiritual and physical needs. As a doctor and surgeon, he kept a busy schedule, using every opportunity to let Jesus’s love shine through his care for his patients.[1]
These missionaries are truly heroes of the faith, and there are many who are inspired by their stories. However, there are many more missionaries who work in obscurity, not receiving widespread recognition for the transforming love they share. But the people they help see them and feel God’s care through them. GFA World’s national missionaries are passionate to help and serve their own nations with the love of God. These humble servants pray for and minister to the sick, provide income-generating gifts to families in need, clean up villages, help parents value their children’s education and future development, plant churches where there are none and much more.[2]
One of our national missionaries is Pastor Kontar. He taught a group of believers in a community each week. Despite practicing a traditional religion, a woman from the village had heard about how Pastor Kontar’s prayers brought healing to the sick. The woman married and moved to a neighboring community with no pastor or believers. When she heard about her neighbor’s long-standing illness, the woman remembered Pastor Kontar’s compassion and prayers for the sick and gave her neighbor and several other ill people his phone number. The people called Pastor Kontar, who listened carefully to their hurts, shared the Good News about Jesus and His power to heal and prayed for them. As Pastor Kontar prayed for them, the people found healing and hope. Eventually, Pastor Kontar was able to visit the village in person and meet the people he had been praying for.[3]
You can help support Christian missionaries like Pastor Kontar by sponsoring one for just $30 a month. They may not be world famous, but our national missionaries are showing God’s love and transforming the lives of people in Africa and Asia.[4]
Learn more about how to support Christian missionaries through GFA World
[1] Chantel. “15 Missionary heroes and their inspiring stories.” Kindred Grace. Accessed December 3, 2024. https://kindredgrace.com/missionary-heroes-stories.
[2] “National Missionaries: About National Missionaries.” GFA World. Accessed December 3, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/sponsor/why-national-missionaries.
[3] “Pastor Ministers in Village Where He’s Never Set Foot.” GFA World. January 4, 2021. https://gospelforasia-reports.org/2021/01/pastor-ministers-village-hes-never-set-foot.
[4] “National Missionaries: About National Missionaries.” GFA World. Accessed December 3, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/sponsor/why-national-missionaries.