Are fewer UK missionaries going abroad? New survey explores why

Milla Ling-Davies  |  UK & Ireland
Date posted:  27 Oct 2026
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Are fewer UK missionaries going abroad? New survey explores why

Alastair and Elise Donaldson and their two children are Crosslinks Mission Partners, pioneering gospel ministry in County Galway, Ireland. In September 2026, they launched Trinity Church Gort, a new church plant for the town. Source: Crosslinks

A reported decline in the number of people training for overseas mission is due to issues such as finance, the impact on children, and the increasing need for evangelism in the UK itself.

A report from organisation Crosslinks, entitled Pathways to Mission, surveyed its 87 mission partners to ascertain what may be holding people back from stepping up to take the gospel abroad.

Finances were the biggest concern, with 62% listing it as a barrier to long-term mission. This was followed by the impact on children, which 49% of partners mentioned.

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