What do you think of when ‘mission’ is mentioned?

Growing up in the UK church, when the word “mission” was mentioned, I’d instinctively picture overseas work. The phrase “mission field” conjured up images of far-away countries with people I perceived as different from myself. Was I correct in my definition?

David Baldwin, CEO of 2:19 Teach to Reach – which exists to help local churches share the gospel cross-culturally – maintains that there is a difference between evangelism and mission: “Whereas evangelism means sharing the gospel with those in our usual circles, mission always involves movement across some kind of boundary; geographical, cultural, ethnic or other.”

Christian charity Friends International knows that this “movement” can be daunting, and aims to cross potential cultural barriers through “hubs” intended to give international students – in this case – “the chance to experience British culture at its best and the opportunity to hear about Christianity.”