Robert L. Gallagher - Encountering the History of Missions: From the Early Church to Today

My mother taught me (John Mark) to love history. She read me history books before I learned to read. Thus, researching and writing this book brought joy to me. I find the history of missions to be both instructive and inspiring. The history of missions instructs contemporary missionaries on what to do and what not to do. For example, the story of Adoniram Judson, pioneer missionary to Burma, instructs us on the importance of Bible translation. That same story should inspire modern missionaries to persevere amid hardship and tragedy. Yet, the problems that resulted from financial subsidy should inform decisions today.

Writing a book on the history of missions presents the writer with a great dilemma: what to include and what to omit. Kenneth Scott Latourette is recognized as the greatest missions historian. His massive History of the Expansion of Christianity is seven volumes, and it was published in 1938. A lot of history has happened since 1938. Robert Gallagher and I had to cover the entire history of missions in just one volume. Inevitably, students, professors, and reviewers will wonder why we did not include this or exclude that. I feel as the apostle John must have felt. At the end of his Gospel he wrote, Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (John 21:25). There just was not space to include everything.

I am grateful to Scott Moreau, our editor, for his patience and helpful suggestions. I also thank Broadman & Holman Publishers for permission to use the material in chapter 1. That material appears in substantially the same form in Missiology: An Introduction. My career as a missionary has ended, and my years of teaching missions will end soon. I thank the Lord that he called me to serve as a missionary and allowed me to train many missionaries. Like the apostle Paul, I have sought to be faithful to my heavenly vision (Acts 26:19).

John Mark Terry

I (Robert) am thankful for the encouragement and affirmation of a number of people who have supported this project to its fruition. Particularly, I would like to thank:

• Paul E. Pierson, dean emeritus and senior professor of history of mission and Latin American studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, who first ignited my interest in the history of missions as I listened to his lectures in Travis Auditorium nearly thirty years ago.
• The late Gary B. McGee, distinguished professor emeritus of church history and Pentecostal studies at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, whose gentle guidance brought confirmation via my church history presentations at the American Society of Missiology, the Association of Professors of Missions, the Evangelical Missiological Society, and the Society for Pentecostal Studies.
• A. Scott Moreau, associate academic dean and professor of intercultural studies at Wheaton College Graduate School, who has been my colleague, coach, sponsor, editor, and friend for twenty years.
• The leadership at Wheaton College, who have generously provided resources for my research and professional development.
• Students in missions history and intercultural studies over the last ten years who gave valuable feedback on my manuscript, such as Will Abercrombie, Erika Anderson, Amanda Barnett, Kate and Phil Bookhamer, Taylor Burnham, Kathryn Crimm, Hannah Dagenhart, Sarah Kelly, Hannah Markley, Caprice Miller, Melody Scott, Harry Smith, Krissy Stuart, Luke Tseng, Joy Viguier, Sara Vroom, and Sarah Willing.
• Jim Kinney, Eric Salo, and the editorial team at Baker Academic, for the meticulous process of ensuring a high standard of quality for the textbook.

Most importantly, I am grateful for the love and support of my family:

• Luisa and Sarita Gallagher, who, as professors in the College of Christian Studies at George Fox University (Newberg, Oregon) were my conversation partners on this manuscript, giving me space and time to think out loud about the history of missions.
• Caprice, Landon, Sydney, Bobbie, Norlyn, and Otha, who provided inspiration and reinforcement.
• My wife, Jayna, was there when I initiated the book and walked with me through the years of writing. I admire the gracious wisdom and loving maturity she embodies as she joyfully lives her life while tirelessly providing moral and emotional support.