missionaries

(noun)

Members of a religious group sent into an area to evangelize or offer ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.

Related Terms

Examples of missionaries in the following topics:

  • Markets and Missionaries

    • The American Missionary Association (AMA) was a Protestant-based abolitionist group founded on September 3, 1846 in Albany, New York.
    • The AMA started the American Missionary magazine, which published from 1846 through 1934.
    • The 19th-century missionary effort was strong in China and east Asia.

  • The Catholic Church

    • After the destruction of the Western Roman Empire, the church in the West was a major factor in preserving classical civilization, establishing monasteries, and sending missionaries to convert the peoples of northern Europe as far north as Ireland.
    • Pope Gregory the Great played a notable role in these conversions and dramatically reformed the ecclesiastical structures and administration, which then launched renewed missionary efforts.
    • In this environment, Christianity spread from Roman Britain to Ireland, especially aided by the missionary activity of Saint Patrick.
    • Soon, Irish missionaries such as Saints Columba and Columbanus spread this Christianity, with its distinctively Irish features, to Scotland and the Continent.
    • Soon, important English missionaries such as Saints Wilfrid, Willibrord, Lullus, and Boniface would begin evangelizing their Saxon relatives in Germany.

  • The Battle of Chattanooga

    • The Confederates established themselves on Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, both of which had excellent views of the city, the Tennessee River, and the Union's supply lines.
    • Further battles took place at Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Rossville Gap, resulting in Confederate retreat and their pursuit by Union soldiers, which the Confederates effectively thwarted.
    • Hoping to distract Bragg's attention, Grant authorized Thomas's army to advance in the center of his line to the base of Missionary Ridge.
    • A combination of misunderstood orders and the pressure of the tactical situation caused Thomas's men to surge to the top of Missionary Ridge, routing the Army of Tennessee, which retreated while successfully fighting off the Union pursuit.

  • The Age of Reforms

    • Congregationalists set up missionary societies to evangelize the western territory of the Northern Tier.
    • The Female Missionary Society and the Maternal Association, both active in Utica, NY, were highly organized and financially sophisticated women's organizations responsible for many of the evangelical converts of the New York frontier.

  • The Freedmen's Bureau

    • By 1866, missionary and aid societies worked in conjunction with the Freedmen's Bureau to provide education for former slaves.
    • The American Missionary Association was particularly active; establishing eleven colleges in southern states for the education of freedmen.

  • Crafts in the Cook Islands

    • Most of the original wood carvings were either taken by early European collectors or were burned in large numbers by European missionaries.
    • Introduced by the wives of missionaries in the 19th century, the craft grew into a communal activity, which is probably one of the main reasons for its popularity.
    • The Cook Islands were regarded for their fine wood carvings, many of which were taken or destroyed by European missionaries.

  • Namibia

    • One of the first European groups to show interest in Namibia were the missionaries.
    • In 1805 the London Missionary Society began working in Namibia, moving north from the Cape Colony.
    • In the 1840s the German Rhenish Mission Society started working in Namibia and co-operating with the London Missionary Society.

  • The Great Awakening

    • Although the Great Awakening represented the first time African Americans embraced Christianity in large numbers, Anglican missionaries had long sought to convert blacks, again with the printed as well as the spoken word.

  • The Anglican Class

    • The Church of England was legally established; the bishop of London made it a favorite missionary target and sent in 22 clergyman by 1624.

  • Tonga

    • In the 19th century, with the arrival of Western traders and missionaries, Tongan culture changed dramatically.
    • The practice of Tātatau disappeared under heavy missionary disapproval, but was never completely suppressed.