Summary: Christian missionary activity was important to the work of European colonialism, offering a feeling of justice and moral authority to British missionaries and their followers. These same qualities made Christians attractive partners for European businesses in areas where they had no existing influence, and allowed them to become influential figures in new countries when or after they took control of them. Christianity came to Africa as part of a colonial enterprise designed to enrich Europe with raw materials and cheap labor. Over the course of several centuries, Christianity became established as the most powerful force in African society. As we will see, this happened even though slavery existed within the church and religious persecution destroyed many communities. Missionary work is the term used to describe efforts by individuals or groups to go to places where there are no them to preach the gospel message and to try to convert people to Christ through telling them about his death on the cross for their sins and rising from the dead three days later. This book focuses on modern-day missionary work, not on New Testament times when Jesus' disciples went out into the world to spread the good news that God has offered salvation through him. The term "missionary work" was first used by Europeans who traveled to Africa looking for trade opportunities and converting locals to Christianity.