What early Moravian commitment to missions looked like

The two first Moravian missionaries, in 1732, set sail from Copenhagen for the West Indies. On board were John Leonard Dober, a potter, and David Nitschman, a carpenter. 

Their purpose was obedience to Jesus’ command, “As the father has sent me so send I you.” 

They knew that the only way to reach slaves was to become incarnated into their lives - as Jesus was incarnated into theirs. These two men set sail with the objective of selling themselves into slavery to reach the slaves if they must.

This is but one reason the early Moravian faith was labeled by friend and foe - radical. 

One writer noted: “Upon arriving at the shores of their destinations, the Moravians would unload their few belongings and then burn the ships. It was a refusal to look back to that country from which they went out. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Heb 11:15-16)". The Moravian’s passion for missions was great, because their passion for God was great.