A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. While some faiths like Judaism, Mandaeism, Parsees or those focused on ancestor cult and/or local spirits, as in Animism and Shintoism make little or no effort to spread beyond their ethno-cultural home societies, many religious groups engage in missionary activities.
The word "missionary" is derived from Latin missio 'sending', the equivalent of the Greek-derived word apostle "messenger". In predominantly Judeo-Christian cultures and their languages, such as English, the term is most commonly used for missions to propagate Biblical faiths, but it applies just as well to any proselytizing creed or ideology. Buddhism, in fact, launched 'the first large-scale missionary effort in the history of the world's religions' (Foltz, R.C., Religions of the silk road, 1999, p.37).
Missionaries of all religions make up just one component of Faith-Based Foreign Aid. Furthermore, historically alternative, often less ethical, conversion-inducing methods were rather based on force, employing trade, economic and military methods including religious war, (see Christian Crusades and the Islamic Jihad for examples), or via socio-economic stimuli by the dominant religion (such as reserving offices and privileges, and/or lower taxation for adherents).
More on [ Missionary ]

LDS.org: Church-Service Missionary Opportunities - Official site containing information about the Church-service missionary program.
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Missionary Training Center - Official site. Includes facility profile, as well as information for missionaries, volunteers and prospective employees.
Dear Elder - Backup pouch mailing to full-time missionaries; letters which miss the Church mail drop can be sent immediately. Free service with donations accepted. Login, and free web space for personal missionary sites.
Meta Description: [ Send Care Packages, Write your LDS Missionary, and Make Your Mormon Missionary an LDS Mission Website ]
LDS German Missions - Discussion for returned missionaries who have served, or have received their mission call to serve, in Germany. Practice German and English, share stories, help others prepare who are going.
Meta Description: [ ldsgermanmissions: For Germany served LDS returned missionaries or those who will serve in Germany. ]
LDS Missionary Moms - Idea exchange for mothers of missionaries currently in the field. Audio loop of Called to Serve at load.
Meta Description: [ A Place where LDS Missionary Moms can share their ideas of what they are doing to sustain their missionaries while in the field. ]
LDS Missionary Program - Resources and links to the Missionary Program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from about.com.
Meta Description: [ LDS stands for Latter-day Saints which is from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - LDS - also known as Mormons. ]
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Missionary World - Free web space to create personal missionary pages for photos, letters, and e-journals.
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MyElder.com - Post missionary letters and photos for authorized family members and friends to view.
New Dress Code for Temple Square Missionaries - Article by Salt Lake City television station KSL religion reporter Carole Mikita.
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Teancum.net - A free email network for missionaries, family, and friends.
Meta Description: [ Teancum 1st Ward, though only symbolic, represents your Ward or Branch and Teancum Mail’s latest initiative to locate a Technology Savvy Ward or Branch willing to take part in a Case Study evaluating the usefulness of LDS Email with an LDS Ward or Branch Directory. Contact us, if you would like ... ]
The Cumorah Project - International missionary work resources, including maps, atlases, and electronic texts.
Meta Description: [ Cumorah LDS Mission Resources ]
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