Who is a missionary?

A missionary is specifically associated with the act of spreading religion, often through direct outreach, education, and conversion efforts. This role has historically involved traveling to different regions or countries to share their faith, teach religious beliefs, and establish congregations or communities.

In various historical contexts, missionaries have played significant roles in both the dissemination of religious beliefs and in cultural exchanges, as they often interact with diverse populations. This can include not only spreading religious doctrine but also working in areas such as education and healthcare, which can contribute to their missionary objectives.

The other choices represent roles that, while they might interact with different cultures or environments, do not inherently involve the primary goal of promoting religious beliefs as a missionary does. A scholar studying cultures focuses on academic inquiry rather than religious propagation, a soldier's role is aligned with military objectives rather than spiritual outreach, and a trader seeks commercial gain rather than the advancement of religious ideologies.