Basel Mission facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mission 21

Predecessor	German Missionary Society Basel Evangelical Missionary Society Basel Mission Society Basel Mission
Formation	25 September 1815; 209 years ago (1815-09-25)
Type	Christian missionary society
Purpose	Missions, theological, cultural exchange and research Development cooperation in poverty reduction, peacebuilding, health, women and gender
Headquarters	Basel, Switzerland
Location	Missionsstrasse 21, Basel, Switzerland
Region served	Worldwide especially Africa, Asia and Latin America
Official language	English German
President	Johannes Blum
Director	Jochen Kirsch
Website	Mission 21

The Basel Mission was a Christian organization based in Switzerland. It worked to spread Christian teachings and help communities around the world. It started in 1815 and continued its work until 2001.

In 2001, its main activities were taken over by a new organization called Mission 21 ^{[de; fr]}. This new group continues the important work started by the Basel Mission.

How Did the Basel Mission Start?

The building where the Basel Mission kept its old records.

The Basel Mission began in 1815. It was first called the German Missionary Society. The people who started it wanted it to be a Christian group that wasn't tied to one specific church style. They wanted to welcome different kinds of Protestants.

The idea for the mission came from a promise. People in Basel were worried that Napoleon might take over their city. So, they made a vow that if their city was safe, they would start a special school. The Basel Mission was born from this promise. Its first leader was Reverend Nikolaus von Brunn.

Where Did the Basel Mission Work?

Over the years, the mission changed its name a few times. It became the Basel Evangelical Missionary Society and then simply the Basel Mission. In 1816, they built a school to train missionaries from places like the Netherlands and Britain.

The Basel Mission worked in many countries. They started in Russia and the Gold Coast (which is now Ghana) in 1828. Later, they expanded to India in 1834, China in 1847, and Cameroon in 1886. They also worked in Borneo (1921), Nigeria (1951), and parts of Latin America and the Sudan (1972 and 1973).

In 1828, the Basel Mission sent its first missionaries to the Gold Coast. They worked with another group called the Danish Missionary Society. More missionaries arrived later, including Andreas Riis, who became an important figure there.

Helping Communities and People

A big goal for the Basel Mission was to create jobs for local people. They taught skills like printing, making tiles, and weaving. They hired people in these areas. For example, the Basel Mission tile factory in Mangalore, India, was one of their projects.

The organization also cared a lot about improving the lives of women. They had women missionaries who served as examples of Christian womanhood.

In West Africa, the mission also helped children. They ran schools where children learned and helped with daily tasks. The Basel Mission worked hard to improve conditions for children who were forced into labor or whose parents were in debt. They wanted to make sure these children had better lives and opportunities.

The logo of the Basel Mission Press.

The Basel Mission also started a printing press. At first, printing Christian materials was difficult. So, in 1841, they got their own printing press and brought it to Mangalore, India. This press was called the Basel Mission Press.

In 1842, they printed their first pamphlet. Soon after, they started the first newspaper in the Kannada language, called "Mangalur-samachar." This helped spread information and ideas.

Recent Work Around the World

After World War II, the Basel Mission changed how it worked. Instead of sending missionaries directly, they supported local churches to do the work.

As of 2002, the mission was active in many countries. These included Bolivia, Cameroon, Chile, Hong Kong, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru, Singapore, Sudan, and Taiwan.

What Was the Basel Mission Seminary?

The Basel Mission had a special school called the Basel Mission Training Institution (BMTI). This school trained people to become missionaries and religious leaders. It even worked with the Anglican Church Mission Society for a while. Important missionaries like Bishop Samuel Gobat were trained here.

The school's leader was called an "inspector." The first inspector was Christian Gottlieb Blumhardt. The school taught four main subjects:

• Theology: This involved studying the Bible, Christian beliefs, and the history of Christianity. It also taught how to preach and lead church services.
• Languages: Students learned ancient languages like Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. They also studied modern languages like German, English, and Dutch.
• Skills Training: This included practical skills like math, writing, public speaking, and map-making. They also learned about geography, basic medicine, and even some science.
• Extra Instructions: Students learned how to keep church records, interact with other Christian groups, and even draw and sing.

Leaders of the Basel Mission

Here are some of the people who served as the main leader (Inspector or Director) of the Basel Mission:

People Connected to the Basel Mission

Many people were part of or worked with the Basel Mission. Some of them include:

See also

• Protestant missionary societies in China during the 19th Century
• History of Ghana