History

Organizing for mission

  • 1792 Baptist Missionary Society (originally called the ‘Particular Society for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Heathen’) formed in Kettering. First society in Britain exclusively for missionary purposes. Marked beginning of greatest period of expansion witnessed by the church since apostolic times.
  • 1795 London Missionary Society formed. Originally interdenominational, later became identified with Congregational churches. The society sent out 475 missionaries between 1795 and 1845, among them Robert Moffat and David Livingstone.
  • 1796 First missionary society in Scotland founded in Glasgow.
  • 1799 Evangelical Anglicans of the ‘Clapham Sect’ formed the Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East.
  • 1813 Leeds District of the Methodists established a missionary society, which led to formation of national Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in 1818, although John Wesley’s lieutenant, Thomas Coke, had promoted missionary work among the West Indian slaves as early as 1786.
  • 1824 Church of Scotland commenced its own missionary work, although Scots had already made major contribution to the early years of missionary movement, through service with other societies.

Copyright © 1986 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Our Latest

News

Finland’s Top Court Split on Christian Politician’s Hate Speech Charges

The court convicted Päivi Räsänen for publishing a brochure on sexual ethics but acquitted her for a social media post quoting Romans.

What’s the Point of Education in an Age of AI? 

American teenagers are getting a crash course in nihilism, and we need answers more compelling than the hope of universal basic income.

News

Pro-Life Ministries Find New Ways to Connect Clients and Donors

Social media and giving apps expedite the process of helping women with unplanned pregnancies.

The Bulletin

ICE at Airports, School Shooting Convictions, and Ruling Against Meta

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

DHS shutdown and expanded ICE presence, murder charges of school shooter’s parent, and jury rules social media causes harm.

Review

When ‘Nothing’ Happens

Justin Ariel Bailey

Three books to read on church life and ministry this month.

News

As Antisemitism Rises, Members of Abrahamic Religions Fight Back

Christians, Muslims, and Jews lead tours, direct films, and speak to youth about the concerning trend.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Anquan Boldin: From the Muck to the Movement

What it means to move from the field to the fight and to pursue justice when it becomes personal.

Jonathan McReynolds Fuses Gospel Music with ’80s Pop in ‘Closer’

A conversation with the Grammy-winning artist about fame, intimacy with God, and the music of the neon decade.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube