GST 310

• Missionary


  Someone who travels cross-culturally to spread the Gospel
• There are an estimated 430,000 missionaries globally
• Missionaries


  • Dedicate significant time and energy to empowering communities worldwide and sharing the Gospel of Christ
• Missionaries perform a wide variety of tasks depending on where they serve and their God-given skills
• Missionary


  (according to some Catholics) Anyone who shares their faith with others, even if they do not travel abroad
• Mission trips usually involve international travel to parts of the world where social issues are most prevalent
• Missionaries


  • Spread Jesus' love by making good use of their talents, training and skills
  • Can have a wide range of vocations e.g. teachers, doctors, childcare workers, engineers, construction workers
• Missionary


  Derives from the Greek word "apostole" which means "sending"
• Jesus sent his apostles to "proclaim the Gospel to every creature" and they "went forth and preached everywhere"
• Apostle Paul began his first missionary journey around A.D. 46
• Great Commission


  Jesus' command to his apostles to "make disciples of all nations"
• The Great Commission is the basis for all evangelism - Christians work to achieve the will of Jesus by spreading his message of love
• Missionaries today


  • Continue Jesus' assignment to his apostles by spreading the Word of God throughout the world
• What missionaries do


  1. Evangelism

  2. Education

  3. Empowerment
• Missionaries aim to spread the Gospel while partnering with communities to meet a need
• Missionaries' work may include starting Catholic education programs abroad or providing medical care
• Being a missionary


  Loving others and helping ensure their spiritual, physical, mental and emotional needs are met
• Over 3 billion people in the world have never heard of Jesus
• Missionaries may help communities get on a path of growth and hope by teaching people about Jesus and his love for God and humanity
• Missionary pay


  Some earn pay while others do not - depends on where and how they serve
• How to become a missionary

  1. Start by serving your home church

  2. Join mission trips with your home church

  3. Find missionary work through local churches or a mission agency