Christians have been transnational since Pentecost. But world events create new possibilities. Spanish missionaries followed closely on the heels of Columbus, and Danish and British missionaries capitalized on trade relations with India. Today, globalized economic and communications networks create new possibilities for American congregations, says Princeton University’s Robert Wuthnow in his most recent book, Boundless Faith: The Global Outreach of American Churches.
Since 2000, for instance, 12 percent of active churchgoers reported having gone overseas on a short-term mission while in their teen years.