“And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14 NKJV)
Every year, countless students and young people are shipped off to every corner of the world to serve while spreading the gospel. The attitude and structure of short-term missionary work is ironic, disingenuous and dangerous. Mission trips are often detrimental and demeaning to indigenous and local communities.
Many mission trips include teaching English or building infrastructure but don’t consult locals, which leads to action the community may not need or want. Using foreign resources takes away local jobs and businesses, and mission organizations often open institutions without that country’s knowledge. In places where religious conversion is outlawed, both missionaries and locals are at risk of arrest or death when interacting. The Western attitude with which many missionaries approach their work causes them to believe their ideals are always welcome.
And such problems aren’t rare. What about Renee Bach, the woman with no medical training who worked at a hospital in Uganda as a "calling from God," where her actions led to the death of 105 children? Or the numerous missionaries that sexually abuse children in unregistered orphanages or during organized missions? Or how missionaries in Brazil gained political power over Indigenous groups and tore communities apart, uncaring of ethical boundaries and restrictions? Or John Chau, who mused that North Sentinel Island was “Satan’s last stronghold,” one among many who illegally approached an isolated group and potentially exposed them to life-ending pathogens?
One of the tenets of human rights is respect for all. The incessant need to change the lifestyles of people living under their personal belief systems is not respectful, let alone loving. Postings and opportunities for trips usually say the mission will be life-changing for missionaries and volunteers, overlooking the wishes of the communities they are targeting.
Multiple religious organizations are calling for countries to overturn their protections of indigenous communities. Missionaries are entering countries on false pretenses with business or tourist visas. These are sick violations of human rights; many Indigenous groups don’t want interference from ignorant, deluded Americans.
Yes, we should partake in service, but it’s the underlying goal of converting others or illuminating oneself that causes eventual death of cultures. The money used to send unequipped missionaries to countries could be used to directly impact causes, with input from informed community members and experts. Mission trips can cost thousands of dollars, which are essentially spent on unskilled, untrained youths’ spiritual enlightenment. An increasing number of trips now focus on short-term excursions for young people rather than lasting efforts that work with the native language, customs and belief systems.
Morality should not be based on a set of religious principles, it should be born of genuine empathy and desire to serve others. We have a civic responsibility to give some of our time to others, not because a doctrine says we must, but because we are humans.
Your mission may give you a deeper understanding of the world. It may allow you a glimpse of a new culture. It may make you feel more connected to your faith. It may also irreversibly harm a region’s structure, expose a population to deadly threats or undermine the agency of a community.
