GFA World’s Christian Missionary Work Overseas
Christian missionary work overseas can take on many forms and avenues. Traditionally, as noted by Just Disciple,[1] cross-cultural ministry has been prevalent, with missionaries traveling to foreign countries for varying lengths of time to share the message of Jesus with those from different cultures. More recently, there has been a greater emphasis on supporting national missionaries, who are from the areas where they are serving. The fundamental purpose of all missionary endeavors is the application of individual God-given talents and gifts to share God’s love with those in need and to glorify Him.
So, what is Christian missionary work? It looks different for each missionary as there are countless ways to serve people and share God’s love. Just Disciple[2] highlights several avenues for missionary work:
- Medical missions, which involve touching lives and showing love through medical care. Missionaries with medical experience bring medical aid, supplies and education to communities that do not have ready access to health care.
- Labor/building missions, which are about building, painting, digging trenches and wells, farming and more. Missionaries with construction or contracting experience help people build houses, schools or hospitals.
- Teaching as missions, which can bring education to those who wouldn’t otherwise have it. Whether it’s teaching English or literacy and math, missionaries with teaching experience help uplift communities and give hope for a brighter future.[3]
These examples are only the beginning of the endless ministries happening around the world.
Effective Christian missionary work overseas does not only depend on the individual missionaries and their training, it is also involves the missionary’s national, geographical and cultural contexts. For example, missions in Africa will have aspects unique to the African people. According to Bethany Global University, Christian missionary work in Africa began in the 1800s, and David Livingstone was among the first missionaries there.[4] A crucial aspect of Livingstone’s mission during this period was his extensive mapping of Africa, an endeavor fueled by his belief that geographical understanding was essential to combat the pervasive issue of slavery. His direct encounters with the brutality of the slave trade impassioned him to end it, and Bethany Global University notes that his work contributed to a shift in British perceptions of African people.[5]
Today, missions work continues in Africa. GFA World is one of the organizations working to show God’s love by meeting the African people’s physical needs. This involves training and equipping national missionaries, who know the local traditions and culture and can more easily serve their own people. One way we’re helping meet these physical needs is by setting up branches of our Child Sponsorship Program, starting in Rwanda and Liberia, where children living in poverty can receive food, education, health care and more. GFA World is also working to install Jesus Wells that will help alleviate the water crisis in Africa, and we have a medical ministry there, which provides health and hygiene training, medical camps and the distribution of vitamins and supplements to the malnourished.[6]
While the ministry approaches are similar, aspects of Christian missionary work in Nepal look different than that in Africa. Home to the massive Himalayan Mountains, Nepal relies on tourism for its economy, but it remains underdeveloped and one of the poorest countries in the world. The villages nestled among the mountains are remote, many only accessible through rugged trails that take hours or days to trek.[7] Like in Africa, GFA World’s ministry in Nepal focuses on the training and equipping of national missionaries, who are passionate to share God’s love with their own people, but there are differences unique to the region. Being high up in the mountains means the weather can get very cold, especially at night,[8] but people living in poverty cannot afford warm clothes. Through donations, our missionaries can provide Nepalese people with blankets and winter clothing that protect whole families from the frigid temperatures.[9]
No matter where they are, GFA World’s missionaries serve their people full time and bring the hope that can only be found in Christ to those who need it.[10] Pastor Santo is just one of our national missionaries. He lived close to a married couple who were struggling in poverty from a declining business and growing medical bills. Doctors’ visits had cost a lot of money, without helping the wife’s chronic back and joint pain. They were growing hopeless. Then, Pastor Santo met them and shared about the love and hope of God. He prayed for the wife, and within a few days, her pain had miraculously vanished. Pastor Santo also helped the couple with their financial struggles. At a GFA World Christmas gift distribution, the couple received a pair of goats, which would supply much-needed, nutritious milk. The family could also sell any offspring for additional income. With God’s love filling their lives, they now had hope.[11]
You can help Christian missionary work overseas, specifically in Africa and Asia, by sponsoring a national missionary with GFA World. For just $45 a month, you can make sure these workers have the resources they need to continue to show Christ’s love to those around them.[12]
Learn more about how to donate to Christian missionaries
[1] Lee, Alyssia. “Missionary volunteer work opportunities around the globe.” Just Disciple. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://justdisciple.com/missionary-volunteer-work.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Oates, Julia. “Missionary involvement in Africa (historical & current).” Bethany Global University. November 11, 2019. https://bethanygu.edu/missionaries-africa.
[5] Ibid.
[6] “GFA World Expands Ministry to Africa.” GFA World. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/africa/.
[7] “Nepal: Root of the World.” GFA World. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/regions/country/nepal.
[8] “Climate in Nepal.” Climates to Travel. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/nepal.
[9] “Christmas 2024 Gift Catalog.” GFA World. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/gift.
[10] “National Missionaries: Sponsor a National Missionary.” GFA World. Accessed December 9, 2024. https://www.gfa.org/sponsor.
[11] “Goats Chase Hopelessness Away.” GFA World. December 28, 2020. https://gospelforasia-reports.org/2020/12/goats-chase-hopelessness-away.
[12] “National Missionaries: Sponsor a National Missionary.” GFA World. Accessed December 9, 2024, https://www.gfa.org/sponsor.