John R. Mott amidst the students: Historical and missiological gleanings for today

A century ago, John R. Mott (1865-1955) was the most recognizable name among Christian student movement leaders on six continents. Working together with other leaders from around the world, Mott was instrumental in ministry of the YMCA, the World’s Student Christian Federation, and the Student Volunteer Movement. This article first discusses Mott’s contributions as a strategist and analyzes the nature of his expansive network. It concludes with an examination of some theological themes that appear most prominently in his writings and correspondence. The article also interrogates what the American Society of Missiology and related organizations might learn from a similar examination of our network and Mott’s theological reflections on the ‘larger Christ’.