Dear friends in Christ,
Every mission begins not with a plan but with a call — the quiet and powerful invitation of God to join Him in His work of redemption. The Anglican Mission, like the heartbeat of the Church itself, flows from this divine calling. It is the movement of faith outward into the world, the living response of a community shaped by Word and Sacrament, compelled by love to serve, to teach, and to reconcile all things in Christ.
In our time, the word “mission” can sound like an activity or program, but within the Anglican tradition, it is something far deeper: it is the very life of the Church in motion. The mission of God — what theologians call Missio Dei — is the source and purpose of all Christian witness. The Church does not possess a mission of its own; she participates in God’s mission. From the earliest apostles sent out by Christ to proclaim the Kingdom, to the faithful Anglicans building schools, hospitals, and parishes across continents, this mission remains a single act of divine love unfolding through time.
The Mission Rooted in God’s Heart
At the center of the Anglican Mission lies a profound theological truth: mission is God’s initiative, not ours. From the moment God called Abraham to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:1–3), His desire has been to draw humanity back into communion with Himself. When Christ appeared in the fullness of time, He revealed the Father’s heart for the world in its most complete form: “As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).
The Anglican Church has always understood these words not as a command to conquer, but as a commissioning to love. The mission of the Church is not merely evangelization in the narrow sense, but the total embodiment of God’s redeeming presence — in word, in worship, and in works of mercy.
Mission as Communion
Anglican theology often speaks of “communion” — a word that captures both unity and participation. Mission, in this light, is not an external effort to “extend” the Church but the natural overflow of communion with Christ. Just as light cannot help but shine, so the Church cannot help but witness.
This is why Anglican mission has always taken root in prayer, liturgy, and sacramental life. The Eucharist, where the faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ, becomes the foundation of mission. We are sent forth from the altar — strengthened, forgiven, and renewed — to bring Christ’s love to every corner of the world.
From Canterbury to the Nations
The story of Anglican mission is also a story of courage and humility, stretching across centuries and continents. It began in the quiet English countryside, with monks and bishops preaching the Gospel among the pagan tribes of Britain. It expanded through the missionary zeal of the Church of England, carried by explorers, traders, and clergy who brought the light of the Gospel to Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific.
The Early Witnesses
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Anglican missionaries followed Christ’s command to “go and make disciples of all nations.” They established parishes in new lands, often serving as the first teachers and physicians in remote communities. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG), founded in 1701, became a beacon of Anglican missionary work, sending clergy to care for settlers and share Christ’s message with indigenous peoples.
Growth and Transformation
Yet, Anglican mission was not without struggle. Over time, the Church learned painful lessons about the dangers of cultural arrogance and colonial entanglement. True mission, it came to see, must not impose but invite — not dominate but serve. The 20th century brought a renewal of this understanding. The rise of independent Anglican provinces in Africa, Asia, and Latin America transformed the mission field into a communion of equal partners, each bringing its own gifts to the Body of Christ.
Today, the Anglican Communion is present in more than 165 countries, speaking hundreds of languages, united in one faith and one baptism. The mission now flows in every direction: from England to Nigeria, from Kenya to America, from Korea to Brazil. The Anglican Mission is no longer a one-way sending, but a shared pilgrimage of faith.
Mission as Evangelization and Service
If we were to summarize Anglican mission in a single phrase, it would be this: proclaiming Christ through word and deed.
Proclaiming the Word
Anglican mission begins with the Gospel itself — the good news that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death, and that in Him all creation is being made new. Evangelism is not about persuasion or argument, but about bearing joyful witness to what God has done. The beauty of Anglican evangelism lies in its gentleness: it invites rather than insists, respecting the freedom of every person created in God’s image.
Preaching, teaching, and catechesis remain vital to this mission. Many Anglican parishes around the world hold Bible studies, Alpha courses, and small-group ministries that nurture faith and invite seekers into the life of the Church. But evangelism is not confined to words alone; it is the witness of holiness, the quiet example of a life shaped by love.
Serving in Love
The second dimension of Anglican mission is service — the visible expression of God’s compassion. From hospitals founded by Anglican missionaries to schools educating children in the poorest regions, the Church’s mission has always joined spiritual care with practical love.
This is deeply biblical. Christ Himself came “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). When Anglicans feed the hungry, care for refugees, or work for peace, they are continuing the ministry of Christ in the world. In this sense, mission becomes sacramental: it makes God’s grace visible through human hands.
The Five Marks of Mission
In the late 20th century, the Anglican Communion articulated what are now known as the Five Marks of Mission — a simple yet profound framework that summarizes the Church’s calling:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
- To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers.
- To respond to human need by loving service.
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society.
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain the life of the earth.
These five marks show the breadth and balance of Anglican mission. They remind us that to preach Christ is also to care for the poor, to defend the oppressed, to protect creation, and to build peace. Mission is holistic; it touches the soul, the body, and the world itself.
A Mission for Every Believer
Every baptized Christian is a missionary. Mission is not reserved for clergy or religious workers; it is the vocation of all the faithful. Whether in a classroom, a workplace, or a home, every act of faithfulness becomes part of God’s mission. As the Book of Common Prayer teaches, we are sent “to love and serve the Lord” — not only within church walls, but in the midst of the world He loves.
Mission in a Changing World
The world today presents both great challenges and great opportunities for the Anglican Mission. Secularism, injustice, ecological crisis, and spiritual confusion call for a renewed witness grounded in truth and compassion.
Dialogue and Reconciliation
Anglicans, by their very nature, have always sought the middle way — via media — between extremes. This spirit makes them uniquely equipped for mission in divided times. Through interfaith dialogue, ecumenical cooperation, and community building, Anglicans continue to be peacemakers where others see only conflict.
Mission and Creation Care
In our age, the care for creation has become a central aspect of mission. The fifth mark of mission calls the Church to protect the earth as God’s gift and to live responsibly within it. Anglican communities across the globe engage in reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and education on climate stewardship, seeing ecological care as an act of worship.
Digital Mission
The mission field today extends even into the digital realm. Online worship, theological education, and digital evangelism allow the Anglican Church to reach those who may never step into a church building. Yet the principle remains the same: presence, compassion, and the sharing of Christ’s truth in love.
The Heart of Mission: Christ Himself
Ultimately, the Anglican Mission is not about programs or strategies; it is about a Person — Jesus Christ. The mission of the Church is to make Him known, to love as He loved, and to draw the world into His redeeming embrace.
Every parish, no matter how small, is a missionary outpost of the Kingdom. Every believer is a living sign of God’s mercy. The mission will continue as long as the Church gathers to pray, to break bread, and to be sent forth in peace.
Reflect and Pray
Dear brothers and sisters, the Anglican Mission reminds us that faith is not a private possession but a public witness. To be Anglican is to be sent — into our neighborhoods, our nations, and our world — carrying the light of Christ where it is most needed.
Let us pray that we may live this mission with courage and humility:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to share in Your mission of love and reconciliation.
Strengthen our hearts to serve the poor, to proclaim Your Word,
to heal what is broken, and to care for all You have made.
Send us out in the power of Your Spirit,
that the world may know Your mercy and rejoice in Your peace.
Amen.
May the peace of Christ dwell richly in your heart, and may His love guide every step you take toward His mission.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
