Ed Smither serves as Professor of History of Global Christianity and Dean of the School of Missions at Columbia International University. Prior to his academic work, he served fourteen years in intercultural ministry in North Africa, France, and the US.
All pastors, campus missionaries, and cross-cultural missionaries should read this book.
Why is a book on missionary monks relevant for Christians today, . . . ? As we journey through the pages of mission history—especially from about AD 500 to 1500—it’s impossible to do so without stumbling over quite a few missionary monks. In fact, I would argue that if we don’t have monks in this period, then we really have little to talk about in the way of Christian mission.