LCMS. Board for Foreign Missions

Originally the Missouri Synod had no geographical distinction among its mission agencies. Mission work was divided between "home" and "heathen" missions. Home missions implied chiefly work of reclamation, while heathen missions assumed no prior contact with the Gospel. These divisions were not based on geography as they are today. In 1887 the Heathen Mission Commission renewed previous requests to reopen work among the American Indians, (which had been carried on between 1847 and 1868) and to initiate work in a foreign field. [Proceedings, p.65] The response of the Synod seems to have been somewhat evasive. It gave the Commission permission to scout around for areas where the Synod could begin new missions, to orientate itself and in this process particularly look at the island of Ceylon "where immigrated Lutherans of other missions have already come." [Ibid, p.66] Further, the Synod asked the Commission to look around for a suitable man who could conduct this work and to keep an eye open for young men who would be ready to prepare themselves as missionaries.

For more background information, see Synodical Survey Commission, 1959-1962 Research Reports, p.438-441