Ariesa Griffin
GLST 200/D04
19 July 2024
Journal Entry: Future of Evangelization assignment
The involvement of the Western Church in the mission movement is strategic and
complex. With deep historical roots, the Western Church has been instrumental in the launch,
support, and development of world evangelization. The influence of the Western church is
therefore seen from William Carey's work in the late 18th century to modern cooperative
partnerships. This essay examines the scriptural foundation for global participation, history, and
the changing face of the Western church in global missions. The Western Church has been an
active participant in outward mission through historical figures such as William Carey and
Hudson Taylor, as well as sustaining and supporting theological education and resource
distribution and engaging in partnerships with new sending churches of the global majority to
ensure sound theological practice and contextualization.
The biblical foundation for global engagement is well-articulated in Matthew 28:19-20,
where Jesus says to His disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations." This is known as the
Great Commission, which asserts the mission of spreading Christianity to the ends of the earth.
William Carey’s book brought this command into focus. 1By refuting the idea that the Great
Commission was no longer applicable, Carey strongly encouraged Christians to continue
aggressively pursuing world missions. Thus, Carey contributed not only through his writings but
also through practical initiatives in India, which showed his concern for the evangelization of the
1 Johnson, Todd, and Sandra SK Lee. "From western Christendom to global Christianity." Perspectives on
the world Christian movement: A reader (2009): 387-392.
whole world. 2Carey, along with Joshua Marshman and William Ward, the 'Serampore Trio,'
translated and published the Bible in several Asian languages and started a school for Indian
Christians. 3Thus, this model of integrated evangelism education and social services laid the
foundation for future missionary activities.
The Western Church's contribution to the global mission movement has, therefore, been
pioneering, supporting the mobilization of resources, and building infrastructure. For example,
the formation of missionary societies in the nineteenth century, including the London Missionary
Society and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, promoted the
systematic dispatching of missionaries globally. 4These societies offered funds, preparation, and
framework such that missionaries could concentrate on their proselytizing and philanthropic
work. The CIM work of Hudson Taylor is in line with the Western church's zeal for infiltrating
uncharted territories. Taylor was rather innovative for his time; he followed Chinese dress codes
and behavior to be closer to the population, stressing multicultural considerations in mission
work. 5Therefore, the fact that he sought funds through prayer and faith rather than directly was a
big shift in the missionaries' strategy, putting emphasis on trusting God to provide.
However, in the contemporary setting, the Western church remains relevant but in a
supporting style rather than a dominating one. The growth of strong Indigenous churches in
third-world countries has shifted towards partnership models. Lausanne Movement and Ethne
have nurtured networks in which leaders of the Global South church are on equal terms with
2 Krivda, Andrej, and Dávid Rodziňák. "The Filioque Controversy: Analysing Theological Differences
between the Western and Eastern Churches." International Journal of Religion 5, no. 4 (2024): 66-74.
https://doi.org/10.61707/k992k910
3 Winter, Ralph D., and Steven C. Hawthorne, eds. Perspectives on the world Christian movement: a reader.
William Carey Publishing, 2009.
4 Krivda and Dávid, (2024).
5 Winter and Steven, (2009).
their counterparts in the West. 6This shift recognizes the growth and capacity of non-Western
churches to spearhead evangelism within their sphere. Undoubtedly, one of the most profound
gifts of the contemporary Western Church is its emphasis on education and resources in
theology. Western seminaries and theological institutions have been essential in the education of
non-Western Christian clergy. 7Moreover, organizations like Wycliffe Bible Translators have
translated and distributed religious resources, including Bibles.
Such missionaries as William Cameron Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe Bible
Translators, emphasize the constant support of the cause. Townsend, who sought to translate the
New Testament into Cakchiquel and evangelize all tribal groups, exemplifies the continuing
impact of the Western church in modern missions. 8The case of Samuel Zwemer among Muslims
also demonstrates that the Western Church has remained committed to reaching out to the most
challenging targets. 9Thus, Zwemer’s placement of mission stations in the Arabian Peninsula and
his extensive writing and preaching on Muslim evangelism demonstrated the Western Church's
strategic and intellectual support for global missions.
However, the Western Church has to redefine its contributions to the global mission
movement on a regular basis. Some of these problems include cultural imperialism, dependency,
and sustainability. Now, there is a higher appreciation for the fact that the mission should come
to build up the local church and not to make it a recipient of charity. This includes backing
programs that foster independence by empowering the community, including microenterprise
and leadership development. The increase in collaboration between the Western and non-
6 Lazerte, Darcey. "Toward a Theology of Evangelism for the Pluralistic West." Toronto Journal of
Theology 38, no. 1 (2022): 57-71. https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/tjt-2020-0192
7 Johnson and Sandra, (2009).
8 Lazerte, (2022).
9 Winter and Steven, (2009).
Western churches is evident in various activities. 10Overall, the Global South is emerging as a
major participant in global missions and is changing the map. Globally, churches in nations such
as South Korea, Brazil, and Nigeria are actively involved in evangelism. The Korean Church, for
instance, with its strong mission emphasis, has become one church that has demonstrated how
the church can go into the world effectively. 11This change represents progress towards a
symbiotic model in which both Western and non-Western churches cooperate to accomplish the
Great Commission.
Thus, the Western Church remains involved and actively contributes to the ever-evolving
mission movement. Even from the early mission pioneers such as William Carey and Hudson
Taylor up to partnership and empowering strategies, the Western church has played a crucial
role. Hence, the Western Church must continue being effective in advancing the global mission
movement based on biblical principles, past experiences, and accountable partnerships with non-
Western churches. Thus, this is not only a recognition of past missionaries but also about giving
way to a better future in evangelization to the nations.
10 Krivda and Dávid, (2024).
11 Johnson and Sandra, (2009).
Bibliography
Johnson, Todd, and Sandra SK Lee. "From western Christendom to global Christianity."
Perspectives on the world Christian movement: A reader (2009): 387-392.
Krivda, Andrej, and Dávid Rodziňák. "The filioque controversy: Analysing theological
differences between the western and eastern churches." International Journal of Religion
5, no. 4 (2024): 66-74. https://doi.org/10.61707/k992k910
Lazerte, Darcey. "Toward a theology of evangelism for the pluralistic West." Toronto Journal of
Theology 38, no. 1 (2022): 57-71. https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/tjt-
2020-0192
Winter, Ralph D., and Steven C. Hawthorne, eds. Perspectives on the world Christian
movement: a reader. William Carey Publishing, 2009.
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