What country set up friars mission to christianize native people?

Based on history, Spain and Portugal were the first one to colonize the nearby country making the country expand on its territory. Meanwhile, Portugal mainly focusing on the trades and economy of its country. In contrary to this, Spain got an idea to find spices from nearby country since it was at that time has a greater value. But, It is the Spain send missionaries and friars to nearby country to Christianize those native people.