The British Church has an extended, wealthy history of mission. Generations have gone out with courage, compassion, and a deep desire to share the love of Jesus. I honour that and have seen firsthand the incredible work done by missionaries, churches and evangelists with a real heart to achieve Africa.
Whilst I’m grateful for his or her labour and commitment, times have modified and we now have a challenge which should be addressed. It’s time for the British church to rethink the way in which it does mission and face the indisputable fact that a few of its well-intentioned outreach habits are literally doing more harm than good.
For nearly 20 years, my wife Andrea and I even have built Musana in my native Uganda – a powerhouse of 19 social enterprises including hospitals, schools and hotels. We employ 740 staff and see tens of 1000’s of lives transformed every year.
The kicker? Our African-run social enterprises turn a profit – £500,000 last yr alone – fuelling change without the continued need for Western aid. It’s a singular model however it appears to be working and it allows my fellow Ugandans to support their very own people. Profits we generate are used for education scholarships, free health services, and programmes for youths with disabilities.
Having recently launched Musana UK, the response to date in Britain has been good. We’ve spoken to charity sector experts, MPs and government civil servants, foundations and business leaders.
But this summer we now have a latest audience – the British church, and we’re so excited.
We will likely be meeting with Christian leaders across the UK and in addition making our first appearance on the New Wine Festival. Our aim isn’t to criticise but to challenge and ask questions with regards to missions.
We don’t wish to develop into just one other charity that collects money from well-meaning churches. We wish to spark a latest form of partnership – but first we want a rethink. Here are five areas that need to vary:
1. Child Sponsorship: From dependency to dignity
The model of 1 child, one sponsor and one photo is familiar, but sadly old-fashioned. It often creates dependency, isolates children from their communities, and centres the sponsor fairly than the kid’s long-term wellbeing. Many organisations at the moment are closing down their child sponsorship streams. Do you sponsor a toddler? If so, don’t feel guilty! We began Musana with a toddler sponsorship programme – but times have modified. Let’s spend money on communities – not follow a gimmick that creates dependency.
2. Mission Trips: From saving to listening
Mission trips have develop into a rite of passage in lots of British churches. But too often, they’re more in regards to the visitor than the visited – fuelling emotional highs, quick fixes, and sometimes, unconscious saviourism. We all love a selfie don’t we?!
Real mission requires listening before speaking, learning before doing. Jesus got here to dwell amongst us. What if short-term trips were about witnessing what God is doing through local leaders and learning from them?
3. Giving: From pity to partnership
British generosity is extraordinary. But if we’re not careful, giving becomes a one-way street – fuelled by pity, not partnership.
The early Church modelled a distinct way. The Apostle Paul wrote: “In the midst of a really severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in wealthy generosity” – 2 Corinthians 8:2.
Giving was mutual. Believers gave to one another, not only from wealth to wish.
At Musana, we invite the British Church not to offer to us, but to construct with us. Support local leaders. Trust local vision. Be a part of a story where everyone brings something to the table.
4. Leadership: From Western control to local ownership
Many missions are still run from Western boardrooms. Decisions are made removed from the people affected by them.
That must change. At Musana, 100 per cent of our programmatic leadership is Ugandan. We usually are not a project. We are a movement.
Empowerment doesn’t occur while you delegate tasks – it happens while you release authority. The Church in Acts grew not because apostles controlled all the pieces, but because they equipped local believers to guide in their very own contexts. Let’s trust locals to guide and grow!
5. Narratives: From poverty to potential
The stories we tell – especially in fundraising – too often reduce Africa to suffering and sadness. This is just not the complete truth.
Africa is stuffed with entrepreneurs, pastors, teachers, dreamers, and doers. Our job is just not to spotlight our weakness in your response; it’s to declare our God-given potential and have a good time a mission that honours God and celebrates dignity, not desperation.
Musana UK: A unique Invitation
We usually are not only on the lookout for donors to fund our work. We are inviting partners to co-labor with us – to face with African leaders and support solutions born from throughout the communities they serve.
To my brothers and sisters within the British Church: let’s reject the outdated models of mission that elevate one culture over one other. Let’s bring change. For good. May our motives at all times be pure and will we be a part of a movement that changes and transforms nations – with the best message ever told at our core.
Haril Kazindra is the founder and CEO of Musana. He and wife Andrea will likely be at New Wine Festival from July 30-Aug 4, where Musana is sponsoring the Mini Top venue.
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