Major: Missionary Studies
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) was a great hero of the twentieth century. As a young woman she became a missionary teacher in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, but was so disturbed by the poverty of people on the streets that she left her job to work with them. Starting with nothing but faith, she established her own order, the Missionaries for Charity. Before her death, she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work with the poorest of the poor.
Do such stories move you? Are you a believer committed to converting others? If so, you may want to major in missionary studies.
This major focuses on the theory and practice of religious (usually Christian) outreach, social service, and proselytization (converting others to your beliefs), and prepares students to be missionaries.
Did You Know?
- Missionaries often work with people facing huge challenges: victims of disasters such as famine, or people struggling with problems such as homelessness or alcoholism.
Are You Ready To...?
- Worship regularly
- Take short-term mission trips
- Learn a foreign language
- Join the honorary society Delta Epsilon Chi
- Visit missiology.org or the Association for Biblical Higher Education
It Helps to Be...
Interested in immersing yourself in other people's cultures. Some missionaries work close to home, but many feel called to travel to other countries, such as China and Africa.
College Checklist
- Is the program accredited by the state department of education and the Association for Biblical Higher Education?
- What is the role of women among professors and students?
- What opportunities for hands-on learning will you have?
- Do current students like the program? Try to spend time with one, on the phone or in person.
- What are recent grads up to now?
Did You Know?
- The missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) also won the Nobel Prize. Besides doing missionary work, he was a respected theologian, doctor, musician, and author.
Course Spotlight
If you major in missionary studies, you’ll learn about church planting -- starting a new church from scratch. That means much more than designing a building. It means reflecting on what kind of church community you want to create, from its use of music to the way it manages money. It also means thinking about the obstacles faced by church planters, such as opposition in the community. The course might include research papers, class presentations, and guest speakers.
