The Most Famous Missionary, Ranked

Choose the missionary you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 07:09
People around the world have been profoundly influenced by the work of various missionaries throughout history. These figures have not only spread their spiritual messages but have also played significant roles in education, healthcare, and social justice. Understanding who the most impactful missionaries are can help us appreciate the diverse contributions they have made across different cultures and communities. This interactive ranking system offers everyone a chance to cast their votes for the missionaries they believe have been the most influential. Through your participation, you can help paint a clearer picture of which missionaries have resonated the most with people around the globe. Your vote matters in shaping an accurate and representative ranking of historical and modern missionary figures.

Who Is the Most Famous Missionary?

  1. 1
    59
    votes
    Known for her work with the poor in India and around the world, she founded the Missionaries of Charity and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
    Mother Teresa was a renowned humanitarian and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity, an international religious congregation dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor. She is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful personalities in the world for her selfless devotion to helping others.
    • Birth Name: Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
    • Date of Birth: August 26, 1910
    • Place of Birth: Skopje, Kosovo Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (Present-day North Macedonia)
    • Nationality: Albanian and Indian
    • Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
    Mother Teresa in other rankings
  2. 2
    38
    votes
    Saint Francis Xavier
    John Bradley · CC BY-SA 3.0
    A co-founder of the Jesuit order and one of the first Christian missionaries to travel to Asia, he is considered the patron saint of missions.
  3. 3
    25
    votes
    David Livingstone
    Thomas Annan · Public domain
    A Scottish missionary and explorer who traveled extensively in Africa, he is known for his opposition to slavery and his efforts to spread Christianity.
  4. 4
    27
    votes
    A British Protestant missionary who founded the China Inland Mission and worked to evangelize and establish churches in China.
  5. 5
    21
    votes
    An Irish missionary who worked in India for over 50 years, she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship and rescued young girls from temple prostitution.
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    William Carey
    Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
    A British Baptist missionary who is often called the "father of modern missions", he translated the Bible into numerous Indian languages and helped establish the Serampore College.
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    An American Baptist missionary who worked in Burma (Myanmar) for almost 40 years, he translated the Bible into Burmese and established many churches.
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    A Scottish Olympic athlete and missionary to China, he is best known for refusing to run in a race on the Sabbath and winning a gold medal in a different event.
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    Paul the Apostle
    Guercino · Public domain
    A Jewish convert to Christianity who traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean world, writing many of the New Testament books and establishing numerous churches.
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    An American missionary who worked among the Huaorani people in Ecuador, he was killed along with four other missionaries while trying to make contact with the tribe.

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Ranking factors for famous missionary

  1. Historical significance and impact
    The missionary's impact on history and the extent to which their work contributed to shaping societies and cultures.
  2. Number of converts
    The number of people who were converted or influenced by the missionary's message and teachings.
  3. Geography
    The extent and diversity of the areas that the missionary traveled to and operated in.
  4. Cultural sensitivity
    The ability of the missionary to adapt to different cultures and to communicate their message effectively to diverse groups of people.
  5. Endurance and perseverance
    The ability of the missionary to overcome challenges and obstacles, including physical hardships, political opposition, and cultural barriers.
  6. Legacy
    The longevity of the missionary’s influence and the ways that their work continues to inspire and impact people today.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous missionary. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or missionary is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2139 views
  • 204 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each missionary once every 24 hours. The rank of each missionary is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most famous missionary

Missionaries have played a significant role in spreading their religious beliefs across the world. These individuals have traveled to various parts of the world to share their message and bring people closer to their faith. Many of these missionaries have gained worldwide recognition for their work and have become household names. In this article, we will explore the question of who is the most famous missionary. From Mother Teresa to Saint Paul, we will look at the lives and work of some of the most notable missionaries in history. Join us on this journey as we discover the fascinating stories of these individuals and their impact on the world.

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