Why do Christians do mission and charity work?
The role of mission, evangelism and Christian charitable work, including the work of Christian aid agencies and reconciliation.
A focused answer on Christian mission and charity for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering mission, evangelism, reconciliation and the work of Christian aid agencies.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain Christian mission and evangelism, the work of reconciliation, and the charitable work of Christian aid agencies, and to show why Christians do this work. Use named examples and link the work to teaching, because the evaluation often asks whether evangelism or practical service matters more.
Mission and evangelism
Christians carry out mission and evangelism in several ways: through preaching and church services, through personal example and the way they treat others, through missionary work at home and abroad, through media and social action, and through supporting churches and projects in other countries. Evangelism is not only foreign missionary work; it includes inviting friends to church, running Alpha-style courses, and witnessing through daily conduct. Christians see this as obeying Jesus and as an expression of love, wanting others to share in salvation.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation operates at every level: individuals forgiving one another, churches healing divisions, and Christian organisations working for peace in divided societies. It flows directly from the belief that on the cross God reconciled humanity to himself, so Christians are called to be "ministers of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5).
Charitable work
Christian aid agencies such as Christian Aid and CAFOD (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) fight poverty by providing emergency relief after disasters, clean water, healthcare, education and long-term development that helps communities support themselves. This puts into action Jesus' teaching to care for the poor and "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31). Many Christians also support Tearfund and local projects such as food banks. The work is both practical service and a witness to Christian love.
A common exam distinction is between short-term aid (emergency relief after a flood or earthquake, providing food, water and shelter) and long-term development (clean water systems, schools, training and fair trade) that helps communities support themselves rather than depending on handouts. Christian Aid and CAFOD both stress development and justice, campaigning to change the unfair structures that keep people poor, not only relieving symptoms. This reflects the prophetic teaching to "act justly and to love mercy" (Micah 6:8). When answering, you can also connect mission, reconciliation and charity: all three flow from the same command to love God and neighbour, and many Christians argue that practical charity is itself a form of evangelism, showing the gospel through action rather than only words.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20182 marksWhat is evangelism?Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 definition question. Evangelism is actively sharing the good news (gospel) of Jesus so that others may come to faith. One mark for sharing the message of Jesus, the second for the purpose (to bring others to believe and become Christians). Do not confuse it with mission, the wider calling of the church, of which evangelism is one part.
AQA 20204 marksExplain two reasons why Christians do charitable work. Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Reason one: Jesus taught love of neighbour and care for the needy, "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31), so charity puts faith into action. Reason two: serving the poor is serving Christ himself, "whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40), so charity is part of how Christians will be judged. Markers reward two distinct, developed reasons plus a source. Naming an agency (Christian Aid, CAFOD) as an example adds detail.
AQA 202212 marks"Evangelism is the most important duty for Christians." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to Christian teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: Jesus' Great Commission commands believers to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), so sharing faith and saving souls is the central task. Arguments against: love of neighbour and caring for the poor matter at least as much, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26), and forcing faith on others can be unwelcome; reconciliation and charity may speak louder than preaching. Use terms (mission, evangelism, Great Commission, reconciliation). Reach a justified conclusion weighing preaching against practical service.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)