Where Are the Missionaries of Color? A Personal Reflection on Diversity in Global Missions
- Dr. Shelley
- May 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 20
I remember sitting in a missions conference, heart pounding with excitement, as stories from across the globe poured in—testimonies of healing, salvation, and transformation. But something felt off. As I looked around the room, I saw very few faces that looked like mine. And as speaker after speaker took the stage, I realized that the same was true there, too.
That was the first time I asked myself: Where are the missionaries of color?
Later, I learned a staggering truth—less than 1% of global missionaries are Black, Indigenous or People of Color. Despite the vibrancy and faithfulness of communities of color around the world, their presence in global missions remains astonishingly small. And yet, the Great Commission—the command to go and make disciples of all nations—wasn’t given to just one group of people. It was given to the whole Church.
This reality raises a deeper question: Why does this matter?
It matters because representation matters. When the messenger looks like you, speaks like you, or understands your unspoken cultural context, the message often lands differently. I’ve seen it firsthand—how trust builds quicker, how defenses drop, how understanding flows more freely when cultural bridges are already in place.
People of Color often carry those bridges in their own stories. Many of us have already navigated cultural complexity—in our families, our communities, and our churches. We’ve learned to adapt, to listen, to translate without even realizing it. That kind of insight is a gift in missions. It's not just helpful—it’s powerful.
But here's the heartbreak: so many BIPOC believers feel called to missions and never get there. Why?Because of barriers—a lack of access to training, limited financial support, no visible role models, and sometimes, unspoken assumptions that missions is “for someone else.”
That has to change.
We need to create more space. We need churches and sending organizations to actively invest in raising up missionaries of color—not just as participants, but as leaders and voices shaping the future of global missions.
Some are already doing this well. At Ruach Global, we’re working to equip a new generation of missionaries from every background because we believe the gospel should be carried by every nation, tribe, and tongue. Not just to the nations—but from them.
If you’ve ever felt the tension I did in that conference room, or if you’re someone who’s faced barriers in your calling because of race or culture, know this: you’re not alone. And your voice is needed.
So, let’s keep talking. Let’s keep asking hard questions:
How can we empower more missionaries of color?
What would missions look like if the global Church truly led it together?
Who’s already doing this well, and how can we support them?
The harvest is plentiful. And it's time the laborers reflect the full beauty of God's Kingdom.
Want to learn more or get involved? Visit www.thewellencounter.org/ruachglobal. The mission field is waiting—and so are the voices we haven’t heard yet. 🌍✝️
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