The Fourth Wave: the New Look of Missions in the 21st Century

Abstract

Global Christian missions is entering a new century with profound challenges and amazing opportunities. If we are serious about Jesus' Great Commandment and Commission, what kind of global missions force is needed to reach every person on earth in the Third Millennium with the saving grace of Jesus Christ? This paper uses historical analysis to look a the dynamics of the first wave of missions during the Early Church. These elements include four spiritual keys of revival, prayer, unity, and outreach. The research evaluates the kinds of people God used, his sovereign purposes in history, and what civilizational and technological advances aided the missionary enterprise. This project then analyzes the first Three Waves of Modern Missions through the same historical lens. Wave One began in 1792 and focused on outreach to the coastlands of the world. Wave Two extended Gospel outreach to the interiors of many nations in the 19th century. Wave Three in the 20th century launched outreach to hidden or unreached peoples with much specialization in ministry. This paper then discusses how the Three Waves of Modern Missions built on each other and were a result of God's sovereignty and man's participation. The writer concludes that a Fourth Wave of Modern Missions has begun that will be led by Two-Thirds (Majority) World missionaries and include people of all ages and nationalities that will take Christ's Good News to every person on earth using creative communications and relational ministries in every sphere of society.