Christendom’s missionaries to Japan, for example, were involved in “educational institutions and schools,” notes the Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan. It says: “A number of missionaries have distinguished themselves through their scholarship.” They became linguists or professors, teaching subjects like literature, language, history, philosophy, East Asian religions, and Japanese folklore. “Charitable and social welfare institutions were also an important part of missionary work,” adds the encyclopedia.

Preaching the gospel did not have top priority with missionaries in general. Too often they emphasized the satisfying of physical needs rather than spiritual needs. Pursuit of personal interests became their focus. Thus, a missionary of the Church of England sent to Japan in 1889 is today best known as the “father of Japanese mountaineering.”

What of the situation in Asia? The Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan answers: “In popular estimation Christianity is still regarded as a ‘foreign’ creed, . . . not suitable for ordinary Japanese people. . . . The Christian movement remains on the periphery of Japanese society.” Indeed, in Japan less than 4 percent of the people are professed Christians, in India less than 3 percent, in Pakistan less than 2 percent, and in China less than 0.5 percent.