What is the primary focus of missions?

The primary focus of missions was converting people to Christianity. Throughout history, particularly during the Spanish colonization of the Americas, missions were established as religious outposts aimed at spreading Christian beliefs, primarily Catholicism, among Indigenous populations. Missionaries, such as the Jesuits and Franciscans, dedicated their efforts to evangelize and educate Indigenous people about Christianity, often incorporating local cultures and languages in their teachings to facilitate conversion.

While trade with Indigenous peoples, defense against invaders, and developing agricultural communities were activities that sometimes occurred around missions, these were not their primary purposes. Missions were primarily focused on religious conversion, making them significant centers for spiritual development and cultural exchange in the regions where they were established.