This morning I read an article that everyone is posting all over social media. The article from Christianity Today raises some interesting points, and highlights some research in the area of missions. Click the link below to read the whole article:

The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing Missionaries

The article specifically mentions the impact that 19th century Protestant missionaries had in shaping the future of the nations where they served. Of course, there were people during that time who did damage all in the name of Christ, and it’s easy to write off all missionaries because of the negative examples.

But there were also many who impacted countries positively in the spheres of social justice, education, and political reform.  The article ties the successes of many modern-day developed nations to the presence of missionaries in the 19th century.

I found the whole article to be interesting, but also to be encouraging. The word “missionary” may be loaded for some but the article argues that dedicated missionaries can have a significant positive impact in the countries where they work.

Did these good missionaries have a spiritual impact? Absolutely. But it didn’t end there because the Gospel is not merely an abstract spiritual concept. It has far-reaching implications for all parts of our lives and it can bring redemption into all corners of society.

This is the kind of redemption we want to see in El Salvador, the kind of redemption that we are working toward. Our work brings us into these spheres and we are dedicated to working within the system here to make it better, and to find ways to serve the poor and exploited.

Holistic body and soul change in people is possible as they connect with Christ. We want to see families, communities, and cities changed as a result. We want to be the kind of missionaries that leave a good legacy in this country.

It’s a long,hard work that we are doing but today I’m feeling encouraged to know that just, maybe, it’s possible.