Just Mission : Laying Down Power and Embracing Mutuality

Why do American Christians travel overseas to reach people in distant lands, but neglect ministering to people who immigrate from those lands to their home communities?

Why does Western missions funding depend on narratives that marginalize indigenous leadership?

Why are diaspora Christians from the Global South not seen as legitimate missionaries to the West?

Western mission often still centers the senders, without as much understanding of the experiences of the receivers. Mekdes Haddis, an Ethiopian now living in the United States, provides a postcolonial critique of Western mission, upending the white savior complex and arguing for a more globally just approach. A Just Mission examines evangelical mission from the perspective of the receiver, highlighting areas of weakness and naming injustices.

Unveiling the negative impact of Western mission on the global church, Haddis addresses how white supremacy infiltrates and subverts mission organizations' good intentions, disrupting grassroots missions and local leadership development. Weaving together theology and Scripture with stories from people of color and diaspora groups, A Just Mission offers hope that the mission and message of Jesus can indeed become good news for all.

Mekdes Haddis is the founder and executive coach of Just Missions, an online community for missionaries, mission professionals, and ministry leaders seeking a more just approach to global mission. She is also project director for an effort workingon racial justice and reconciliation. She has been a consultant and on staff with churches and nonprofit organizations in discipleship and outreach. She and her family live in South Carolina.