Introduction
Introduction
Before the second half of the 1980s rolled around, most evangelical Christians in Western countries tended to view mission history in terms of only two great waves of activity.
The first wave broke over the New Testament world in the first century as the apostles obeyed the Great Commission. It swept through the Jewish and pagan communities of the Roman Empire, bringing the message of salvation to all of the Mediterranean world, much of southern Europe and even some parts of Asia.
The second wave was most often dated from William Carey's pioneer work in 18th-century India. It began a flood of 19th-and 20th-century missions to the colonies of the great European powers. Although World War II marked the end of this colonial era, it still frequently defines the image of missions for many Western Christians.
But around the world today, the Holy Spirit is breaking over Asian and African nations, raising up thousands of dedicated men and women who are bringing the salvation story to their own people. And millions of lost souls in closed countries would probably never learn about the love of God by any other means. These national Christians—humble, obscure pioneers of the Gospel—are taking up the banner of the cross where colonial-era missions left off. They are the third wave of mission history—the native missionary movement.
As Christians in the West gradually develop a greater understanding of what this third wave means to world evangelism, we feel a potent challenge to our attitudes and lifestyles. Thousands of individuals and churches are praying for and supporting native missionaries on the frontiers of faith.
Revolution in World Missions has undergone various revisions over the years. I have sought to clarify basic areas of misunderstanding surrounding the native missionary movement, such as the changing role of Western missionaries and standards of accountability in native missions.
The impact of this book continues to grow. Pastors have written us, testifying of the dramatic changes their church's mission programs have had. Fathers and mothers—and their children—are learning to live more simply and creatively in order to support native missionaries. Young adults, faced with eternal matters, are choosing to make their lives count for the kingdom rather than succumb to the climb up the ladder.
I believe we will see this generation reached for Christ as this exciting third wave of mission leadership unites with concerned Christians, churches and mission agencies around the world. As we draw nearer to Christ in unity, feeling His heartbeat for lost and dying souls, we realize that we are all serving one King and one kingdom. May this book serve to bring greater unity and cooperation among all God's people, as we seek to obey His will together.