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The term “faith missions” derives from the policy of conservative evangelical mission agencies to minimize, if not altogether avoid, public appeals for financial support; they support themselves “by faith.” Pioneers of the movement in the 19th century such as George Mueller (1805–98), who operated a large orphanage in Bristol, England, and J. Hudson Taylor (1832–1905), founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM), relied on secret prayer to “God alone” for their financial needs. While contemporary …

1. Term The phrase “evangelical missions” refers to missions that derive their type of piety, their theology, and their understanding of mission from Pietism and 18th- and 19th-century revivalism and that confess that theologically and organizationally they are part of the worldwide evangelical movement (World Evangelical Fellowship). They include the evangelical free church missions societies, independent and interdenominational faith missions, missions with special fields or functions, and Pentecostal missions (Pentecostal Churches). 2. History The rise of the Soci…