Christian Missionary Numbers Plummet as Ministries Launch Solution

The number of Christian missionaries serving full time has dropped dramatically, from 1.1 million in 2001 to just global missionary force of 430,000. Nearly half of those serve for five years or less, highlighting a growing crisis in global missions. Recent missionary deaths underscore the challenges, while faith decline stabilizes across America.

In an effort to address both the need for laborers and uncertainties faced by local churches, Missions:Together announced a new partnership with Here2There Ministries. Here2There’s curriculum complements Mission:Together’s vision of helping churches, missionaries and networks develop strategic plans for missions.

READ: Here’s the missionaries who died in 2024

“We believe every church can actively participate in missions,” said Carl Dobrowolski, Missions:Together’s advancement lead. “By coming alongside pastors and leaders, we want to bridge the gap between intention and execution.”

Mark Knetsch, Missions:Together’s visionary lead, said, “We’re joining efforts to equip, encourage and connect churches with pathways to see the world transformed by the gospel.”

Through this partnership, participants will receive tailored coaching for mission strategy development and learn directly through in-person and virtual expos and workshops. Co-organized events aim to mobilize laypeople for missions, send more to the mission field and strengthen care and partnerships among missionaries and churches.

The two ministries believe that every church is a sending church and every person is a missionary. Together, they seek to “equip leaders, laypeople and missionaries with the confidence and tools to turn vision into action, helping churches send and reach the nations.”

“We want to see churches move from uncertainty to action,” said Stefanie Nicholson, executive director for Here2There. “Our prayer is that through these resources and tools, we’ll see leaders send, church members go and partnerships thrive.”

Here2There provides training through a 10-session program called Association of Mission Partnership Development. New training initiatives across the globe show promising results. Courses are available in different formats for churches, missionaries and organizations and cover three phases: missions strategy; missionary care and partnerships; and sending. Courses typically take about 10 months to complete.

Innovative mission approaches are emerging across America, while global missions expand into new territories, proving that with proper training and support, any congregation can make a global impact.

Learn more about Missions:Together at www.missionstogether.church and Here2There Ministries at www.here2there.org.

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice