Reclaiming the Call: The Unshakable Legacy of African American Missionaries

"We are heirs of a great legacy—our ancestors carried the Gospel across oceans, through trials, and into nations. It is our time to rise and continue the mission."

From the earliest days of the Christian missionary movement, African Americans have played a pivotal but often overlooked role. Despite the shackles of slavery, discrimination, and economic hardship, these pioneers carried the Gospel message with courage, faith, and perseverance to lands far and wide—from Jamaica to Liberia, the Congo to Sierra Leone, and beyond.

The Legacy of Trailblazers

Missionaries such as George Liele and Lott Carey ignited the fire. Liele, once enslaved, preached to 350 congregants in Jamaica. Carey, also formerly enslaved, helped launch the mission movement in Liberia. These men—and the many women who followed—exemplified unwavering devotion to the Great Commission.

Amanda Smith, Maria Fearing, and Betsy Stockton are names etched in the tapestry of missions history. These women, some born into slavery, crossed continents to teach, heal, and preach the Gospel, transforming lives in Africa, India, Hawaii, and beyond.

Modern-Day Torchbearers of the Mission

Today, a new generation is rising.

Missionaries such as The Colemans serving in Ethiopia, The Howard Family serving with SIM, and Kevin and Gertrude Nicoles in Papua New Guinea remind us that the call is still alive. Others—lesser known but no less impactful—are forging fresh paths of obedience and sacrifice in some of the most spiritually and physically challenging regions of the world.

There are present-day African American missionaries creating legacy and serving in remote areas around the globe:

• Kenya - Engaging in church planting and theological training, this couple mentors emerging leaders and supports the growth of the local church.

• South Asia - Working in a creative access nation, building Gospel-centered relationships, discipling new believers, and multiplying leaders in a region where persecution is real.

• Middle East - Passionate about Muslim engagement, serving in Middle Eastern nations through business-as-mission and underground church support.

• Malawi and Zambia -Providing healthcare, training local medical staff, and leading short-term mission teams while offering hope and healing in Jesus' name.

• Haiti and the Dominican Republic - Ministering through sports, discipleship, and trauma care for girls and young women, bringing holistic transformation to underserved communities.

• Ghana - Using business development and vocational training as a means of evangelism, helping plant churches and disciple new believers.

• Southeast Asia - Serving as Bible translators to reach a people group with no Scripture in their heart language, opening eternal doors through the Word of God.

These present-day heroes of the faith are not anomalies—they are the answer to generations of prayer and sacrifice. Their obedience echoes the cry of Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) You too could and should answer the call.

Current Disparities and Challenges

While the Black church has a rich legacy in missions, today African Americans make up less than one percent of all missionaries worldwide. Economic disparity, historical trauma, and a lack of awareness about missions continue to hinder engagement. But the call remains.

The Church’s Role & A Call to Action

Churches must reclaim their rightful role in equipping, training, and sending missionaries of color. Contextualizing the Gospel within Black culture, funding missiology education, and modeling international outreach can transform the tide.

We must also tell these stories—past and present—so future generations see themselves in the global mission narrative.

A Legacy Continued: The Work of Sowing Seeds of Joy

The story of reclaiming the call is not only one of the past and present—but also of those actively forging the future.

For over two decades, the ministry of Pastor Ron and Star Nelson, founders of Sowing Seeds of Joy, Inc., has stood at the forefront of mobilizing people of color into global missions. Their heart beats for the nations—and for the African American church to once again take its rightful place in the Great Commission.

What began as a personal journey of service evolved into a movement. Through training programs, short-term mission trips, leadership summits, and strategic partnerships, the Nelsons have:

• Educated churches and individuals about the biblical and historical foundation of Black missions

• Equipped hundreds with theological tools, cultural intelligence, and practical preparation for the field

• Exposed communities—young and old—to the power of cross-cultural engagement through real-world missions in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and beyond

Their impact is far-reaching. Missionaries, pastors, students, and lay leaders across the globe have been trained and inspired by their obedience and tenacity. From the inner cities of the U.S. to the rural hills of Kenya, the vision of Sowing Seeds of Joy continues to bear fruit—calling a new generation of African Americans to go, serve, and proclaim.

"We exist to connect the hearts of people to the heart of God—across cultures, continents, and communities." – Ron & Star Nelson

Their work is not finished. The call still resounds. And through their leadership, a rising generation of Black missionaries is being awakened, empowered, and sent.

The Time Is Now

Reclaiming the call is not just a moment—it’s a movement. Let us walk boldly in the footsteps of those who came before, honor the ones still serving, and answer with courage, “Here am I. Send me.”