Be inspired by this real story of faith and bold Gospel sharing from Global Frontier Missions. Learn how GFM equips Christians to engage with the least reached.

Learn how language and community are essential to cross-cultural work in South Asia. Find out how programs like S.L.I.C.E. empower workers to thrive.

Learn about guilt, shame, and fear cultures. Understand how these worldviews impact Gospel communication and cross-cultural ministry strategies.

Hudson Taylor (1832–1905) is one of the most revered figures in the history of Christian missions. Known for his pioneering work as a frontier missionary to China, Taylor’s life and ministry reshaped Christian outreach in the 19th century. He was the founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM), which played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity throughout the vast and remote regions of China. Early Life and Call to Missions Hudson Taylor was born in Barnsley, England, to a devout Methodist family. From a young age, Taylor exhibited a passion for the Gospel. He was raised in an environment where Christian teachings were emphasized, and his personal commitment to Christ deepened as a teenager. It was during this period that he felt a calling to become a missionary. Though the Church of England had some missionary presence in China, the vast majority of Christian efforts were focused on coastal cities, with little outreach to the remote, rural, and inland regions. Taylor’s early conviction was that China’s interior—where the Gospel had not yet been proclaimed—was an unclaimed mission field that deserved attention. The Challenge in China China, during the mid-19th century, was a land of great complexity and intrigue. A vast empire with a rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, it was largely closed off to foreign influences, especially by the imperial Qing dynasty. Missionaries who ventured into the country often faced considerable obstacles, including resistance from the Chinese authorities, cultural misunderstandings, and, at times, real hostility. In 1853, Taylor sailed to China, landing in Shanghai. From the beginning, he felt compelled to immerse himself deeply in Chinese culture, language, and traditions. Unlike many missionaries who clung to Western customs, Taylor adopted Chinese dress, learned the language, and sought to live among the people he served. This was an unconventional and bold approach at the time, as many missionaries had assumed a more colonial, Westernized way of life that distanced them from the local people.

When we think about missions, we often envision adults traveling to far-off places, sharing the Gospel, or working on humanitarian projects. But our kids, too, can be part of this mission—making an impact where they are and even around the world. Involving children in missions not only benefits the recipients of their efforts, but it also plants Kingdom-minded seeds in the hearts of our children. Here are some creative ways to involve kids in missions, whether locally or globally, and why it’s so important to start early. Why Involve Kids in Missions? Building Compassion Missions help children develop empathy for people from different backgrounds and life situations. Exposure to different cultures, needs, and struggles opens their hearts to a broader world, making them more compassionate and understanding. Teaching Purpose Kids who are involved in missions early on learn that life isn’t just about what they can get, but what they can give. Whether it’s through service projects or mission trips, they begin to understand the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others. Strengthening Faith Mission work helps kids see God’s love for peoples of all nations, tribes, and tongues in action. It brings Scripture to life and shows them how we are created for something more. As they engage in missions, they may also grow in their own spiritual walk, developing a deeper relationship with God. Preparing Future Leaders Practically speaking, when kids are trained to be involved in missions, they develop leadership skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. These are essential skills for future success in all areas of life. Additionally, when kids participate in missions, they start to see themselves as part of a bigger story—one that has been written from the beginning. 

Missionary attrition is a real phenomenon for many missionaries worldwide. This refers to the tendency of missionaries to leave their positions or vocations earlier than expected, often before achieving their intended goals. Attrition rates have become a significant concern for many mission agencies, as it directly impacts the effectiveness, sustainability, and growth of mission efforts. Here, we will delve into the factors contributing to missionary attrition, the impact it has on both missionaries and the communities they serve, and the strategies that can help reduce the frequency of its occurrence.  What Is Missionary Attrition? Missionary attrition can happen for a variety of reasons, including personal, professional, and contextual factors. It is distinct from the broader term "missionary burnout," though the two are often interconnected. Burnout refers specifically to emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by the demands of missionary work, while attrition encompasses the broader issue of leaving missions work altogether. Missionary attrition can take different forms: Early Return: Missionaries who leave the field earlier than planned due to various challenges or crises. Voluntary Departure: Missionaries who consciously choose to leave the mission field for personal reasons or dissatisfaction with their role. Involuntary Departure: Missionaries who are sent home due to health issues, visa problems, moral failure, or unsatisfactory performance.

We often take for granted the fact that we can easily access Scripture. Not only do we have God’s Word in our language, but we have multiple translations, and easy, immediate access at all times. Yet so much of the world still has no copy of God’s Word in their own language. With over 7,000 languages spoken around the world, it’s shocking to think that only 733 of them have the complete Bible translated into their language. The impact of Bible translation is profound. Having access to the Bible in one's own language allows people to connect more deeply with God and understand His Word. The translation process is complex, though, and involves not only linguistic skill but also deep understanding of theology, culture, and historical context. The History of Bible Translation The history of Bible translation stretches back to ancient times. One of the earliest and most well-known translations is the Septuagint , a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures created around the 3rd century BCE. As Christianity spread across different regions of the world, the Bible needed to be translated into new languages to make it accessible to people of various cultures. One of the most famous translations was St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate in the 4th century, which became the standard Bible for the Western Church for many centuries. As time progressed, more translations followed, particularly during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, when Martin Luther’s German Bible and William Tyndale’s English Bible made the Scriptures available to the common people. Today, at least parts of the Bible have been translated into over 3,000 languages, making it the most translated book in history. However, there are still thousands of languages without a complete translation of the Bible, so the work continues. The Translation Team: Collaboration and Expertise Bible translation is not a solo endeavor. It typically involves a team of people with different expertise. Translators must be fluent in both the original biblical languages (primarily Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) and the target language. They also need to have a deep understanding of the culture and worldview of the people they are translating for. Cultural understanding is critical because languages are not just about words—they carry with them cultural nuances and meanings that must be conveyed accurately. The team often includes linguists, theologians, Bible scholars, and community members. Theologians ensure that the translation is doctrinally sound and faithful to the original text, while linguists focus on the grammatical and syntactical challenges. The involvement of the local community is also essential to ensure that the translation resonates with the everyday experiences and idiomatic expressions of the target language speakers.

Praying for the unreached is powerful, aligning our hearts with God's heart for all people. While it may seem that these distant communities are unreachable, prayer can move mountains, open doors, and soften hearts. As we lift up the unreached people groups of the world, we can trust that God hears our prayers and is at work in ways we may never fully see. Not sure how to pray for these unreached people groups? To get you started, let’s take a look at some specific people groups that need our prayers. This list is by no means exhaustive but provides a snapshot of areas where there is significant need for evangelistic work. 1. The Fulani (West Africa) Population : 25 million Location : Predominantly in West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Mali, Niger, and others) Religion : Islam Challenges : The Fulani people are primarily nomadic herders with a strong Islamic tradition. Access to the Gospel is limited, and there are few local believers among them. Political unrest and conflict in many of their regions further complicate outreach efforts. Prayer Points : Pray for open hearts to the Gospel, for peace in regions of conflict, and for effective strategies to engage the Fulani people with the message of Christ. 2. The Yadav (India) Population : Over 30 million Location : Primarily in northern and central India Religion : Hinduism Challenges : The Yadav people are a large ethnic group in India, mostly involved in farming and herding. They follow Hindu traditions and have very little exposure to Christianity. Social pressures and caste discrimination can make it difficult for Yadav individuals to explore new faiths. Prayer Points : Pray for breakthroughs in the form of indigenous believers, culturally-relevant evangelism, and the spread of Gospel-centered resources for the Yadav. 3. The Berbers (North Africa) Population : Over 30 million Location : Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya Religion : Islam Challenges : The Berber people have a rich cultural history but are largely unreached with the Gospel. With strong Islamic traditions, Berbers face religious persecution if they convert to Christianity. Their isolated rural communities make outreach particularly difficult. Prayer Points : Pray for courage for Berbers who are secretly seeking truth, for the protection of believers, and for open doors for missionaries to enter their regions.