For generations, The African American Christian church has served as not only a spiritual sanctuary but also as a driving force in spreading the Gospel message throughout the world. Despite all barriers that the enemy has thrown in their way, African American congregations have consistently answered the call to missions with creativity, determination, and unwavering faith.
Historical Foundations of Black Missions
As we saw earlier this month, African Americans played a huge role in the founding of overseas missions for the American Christian community. They were among the first to clearly hear the voice of God calling them to go, and they followed that call.
The story of both American and African American missions begins in the early days of African American Christianity. The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, founded in 1816, quickly established missionary work as a cornerstone of its ministry.
By the late 1800s, the AME Church had sent missionaries to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other parts of West Africa, creating lasting connections between African Americans and the African continent.
“Official African Episcopal interest in foreign missions began in 1827 when the Baltimore Conference authorized the dispatch of the Rev. Scipio Bean to Haiti. Prior to this in 1821 the Rev. Daniel Coker, representing the A.M.E. Church, left the United States for West Africa with the first group of persons sent out by the American Colonization Society. In 1840, the Rev. William Paul Quinn was commissioned as our first General Missionary. The present Department of Home and Foreign Missions began functioning with the election of its first Secretary of Missions in 1864, the Rev. John M. Brown.”
A Brief History of the Department of Missions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
While white-dominated mission boards often excluded Black missionaries or relegated them to subordinate roles, Black denominations forged their own paths. The National Baptist Convention, formed in 1895 (source), created its own Foreign Mission Board to support Black missionaries serving abroad. These early pioneers worked in challenging conditions with a mere fraction of the resources available to their white counterparts, yet they built schools, hospitals, and churches that transformed communities, and came to outnumber the white missionaries of their time:
For example, we now know that the gospel message was transmitted to Africa and the African diaspora largely through the efforts of other Africans. Mounting evidence drawn from mission archives also shows that the success of Anglo-European mission societies, founded in the 19th century, owed largely to African translators, evangelists, missionaries, pastors, teachers, and other workers. Available statistics show that as early as 1910, African workers already outnumbered white missionaries by a ratio of about five to one.”
The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Black Missionaries
Challenges and Resilience
The financial challenges facing Black churches in mission work cannot be overstated. During times when many Black Americans struggled economically under segregation and discrimination, churches developed innovative funding approaches. Women’s missionary societies became particularly influential, organizing fundraising campaigns and collecting “penny offerings” that, when pooled together, supported missionaries abroad.
Lott Carey, a former enslaved person who purchased his freedom and became one of the first Black American missionaries to Africa in 1821, exemplifies this resilience. Before departing for Liberia, Carey’s congregation raised an unprecedented $700 for his mission—a tremendous sum for a Black church at that time (source).
Beyond financial constraints, Black missionaries faced racial discrimination both at home and abroad. Colonial authorities and white mission organizations often undermined their authority or restricted their movements. Yet these missionaries brought unique strengths to their work—including cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and an authentic understanding of oppression that created deeper connections with the communities they served.
The Critical Need For More Black Missionaries
The significant underrepresentation of Black missionaries in global missions represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the church. While African Americans make up approximately 20% of U.S. Protestants, they account for less than 1% of American missionaries serving overseas (source).
The global perception of Christianity is significantly shaped by who represents it cross-culturally. When missionary teams lack diversity, it can inadvertently reinforce the misconception that Christianity is primarily a “Western white religion”. rather than a gospel that is for all people in every nation.
Black missionaries help present a more complete picture of the global body of Christ and shows, in a practical way, that Jesus is for all people.
In relation to the importance of representation, Black missionaries may face fewer cultural barriers to building initial trust. While this doesn’t eliminate the need for cultural learning, it can provide strategic inroads for relationship-building.
“Like it or not, the legacy of European colonialism is a major stumbling block for many of the millions who suffer in places ravaged by centuries of light-skinned oppression. In contexts like these, black and brown missionaries simply bring credibility that’s hard to obtain otherwise. On top of this, diverse missionary teams avoid sending the wrong message about our faith. Simply by virtue of being different, they help the world see that the gospel is for all types of people.” – Race Matters: Why We Must Send More Missionaries of Color
The legacy of the Black church in global missions is one of remarkable faithfulness despite overwhelming odds. From the pioneering days of the AME missionaries to today’s emerging leaders, Black Christians have demonstrated that effective mission work flows not from abundant resources but from unwavering commitment.
The future of global missions will be significantly strengthened by increased participation from Black churches and missionaries. As we address historical barriers and create new pathways to service, we move closer to a more complete expression of the diverse body of Christ in global witness. By embracing this rich heritage while addressing contemporary challenges, Black congregations and Christian organizations continue writing new chapters in this compelling story of faith, resilience, and global impact.
