What happenend to the missionaries?

Answer 1

(This is written from the context of Christian Missionaries). Missionaries are still here. Between 100,000 and 200,000 men and women would describe themselves as Christian Missionaries today. If one broadens the definition to all those who physically leave the confines of the church to bring those outside to the faith, the number goes far higher.

However, it is true that the classic stereotype of a missionary is fairly rare today. The stereotype tends to involve European/American men and women trekking through the jungles, finding a remote village, and sharing the faith under a mango tree with the natives. There are people who fit this stereotype. However, as the Gospel propagates and globalism and technology reduces the separation of people, the necessity of this form of mission work lessens. Where pioneering missions (the stereotype of missions) is needed is with unreached people groups. However, now, it is usually cultural and political barriers that provide the challenge rather than mountains, rivers, and forests.

Today a majority of missionaries are from countries that used to be called "the Third World". They may work in cities, they may teach in schools, they may do medical work, publishing, or any number of a wide variety of ministries.