Henry Venn

Henry Venn was a 19th-century British missionary and church leader who believed in developing strong, autonomous local churches rather than controlling them from afar. He promoted the idea that churches should be self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating, which he called the "three selfs." This approach aimed to empower indigenous communities to grow and sustain their faith independently. Venn's ideas significantly influenced modern missionary strategies, emphasizing respect for local cultures and sustainable church growth. His work helped shape mission efforts that focus on empowering local believers rather than relying solely on foreign staff or leadership.