Thirty-five surgeries and procedures, the loss of jobs, the robbery of ministry opportunities, the loss of finances, the total unbearable life of pain, all of it, all of it leaves a person to wonder what life is for. Each day…
As Israel bombards Gaza, travel companies are offering ‘solidarity tours’ to Israel
Spaces are filling up fast for Americans traveling to Israel to learn about its war in Gaza and show “solidarity” with the Israeli Defense Forces. Multiple companies are offering “mission” trips to Israel as the nation bombards neighboring Gaza, while…
Rethinking that mission trip to Guatemala: advocating for justice, especially in light of U.S. complicity
Most well-meaning mission efforts in Guatemala at best address the symptoms and not the causes of Mayan suffering. In fact, these efforts may even contribute to the perpetuation of the systems of oppression that harm the Maya.
American folk religion
When I was in college, I had the privilege of spending a couple of weeks in Mexico, on a mission trip, as a member of something called a “youth choir”. A couple of pre-emptive answers to your inevitable questions: Yes, our shirts always matched….
Needs here at home
For the first summer in my 28 years, I am not going on a mission trip or retreat of any kind. Instead, I am filling pulpits of other pastors who are on mission trips. It’s a strange experience to be…