It’s a frosty, dark morning as we drive to the airport in Ulaanbaatar. Our purpose: bidding farewell to another young Mongolian family as they prepare to return to the mission field of Central Asia.
As we enter the departure hall, a knot of people surround the family – their pastor, mission leaders, and friends are all there to see them off.
The idea of Mongolians serving as mission partners might be surprising, but it’s a reality. God is raising up passionate Mongolians who want to spread the good news of the gospel beyond their borders, especially to the remnants of the once vast Mongol Empire, many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus.
Mongolia is just a glimpse of what God is orchestrating across the broader Majority World. In the last thirty years, the landscape of missions, traditionally viewed as ‘from the West to the rest,’ has undergone a profound change. God is ushering in a new era where mission sending is ‘everyone, to everywhere, by every means.’
In 1910, 66% of Christians lived in Europe. By 2010, 62% of Christians were in the Majority World.
Ghanaian medical professionals, prompted by their churches, come to evangelise Britain through opportunities in the NHS. Filipino Christians share Christ in the Muslim heartlands while serving local families. Mongolians become sports teachers in an international school in Central Asia – just a small fraction of the incredible diversity in the world of mission.
Christianity’s centre, at least in terms of numbers, has shifted over the past century. In 1910, 66% of Christians lived in Europe. By 2010, 62% of Christians were in the Majority World: Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania1. This shift turns traditional mission fields into a force reaching into their localities and even the West.
UFM seeks to deepen its partnership across the majority world
Mission agencies like UFM recognise this shift and naturally ask how we can come alongside and support what God is doing in the Majority World. How can we utilise our experience and resources to enable these new sending opportunities to become more sustainable? UFM’s response has been to create a new initiative within the Senior Leadership Team, to consider how we might expand our current ministry focus to incorporate this paradigm shift.
After a decade of involvement with the Mongolian cross-cultural mission movement, Mark has been invited to join UFM’s Senior Leadership Team. With our pooled knowledge and cross-cultural experience, we aim to explore how UFM can deepen its partnership across the Majority World.
From the west, east, north, or south, the keyword is partnership.
For almost a century UFM has been actively engaged in mission work to the Majority World. Naturally, this will continue as the Great Commission remains unchanged and there are still many who have not heard the gospel. But, as invited, we desire also to come alongside emerging mission movements and see them strengthen and flourish to the glory of God.
This new season is undoubtedly messy. The lines between mission senders and receivers are less defined, and mission workers are heading in all directions. Whether from the west, east, north, or south, the keyword is ‘partnership’ – working together. The global Church is called to “Go… and make disciples of every nation…” an audacious and God-sized challenge that UFM, in its small and humble way, is embracing by God’s grace.
1. www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/the-100-year-shift-of-christianity-to-the-south
Mark and Gill Newham return from 30 years in Mongolia serving in pastoral care, mentoring nationals, training leaders and equipping workers for mission