Monique just got home from her second trip to Africa in 2024. You won't want to miss her field report about the great needs for sound teaching and apologetics in Africa. Monique shares some of her thoughts about short term mission trips, when they can be genuinely helpful and when they aren't. Toward the end, Monique and Krista share their thoughts about the new movie, "Am I Racist?" You won't want to miss this!
Monique returned from her trip to Africa and there was a lot to catch up on!
We launched a new website (see resources below)!
Our new book, Walking in Unity, comes out very soon and we will be leading a group through the book. PRE-ORDER your copy today!
Huge THANK YOU to our donors who helped make this trip possible for Monique! Also, she was able to give away 50-75 copies of the Reconciled curriculum to conference attendees, which was made possible through donor support!
During her 2-week trip to South Africa & Uganda, Monique had the privilege of speaking to local churches, a radio program, and at university campuses through Ratio Christi.
Ratio Christi is a Christian apologetics and evangelism campus ministry that provides fellowship & teaching on university campuses
Dr. Corey Miller, the President of Ratio Christi is on the CFBU Academic Advisory Board
What are the race challenges people face in Africa?
In Uganda, it showed up as tribal disagreements; in the US, disagreements between people often focus on race/ethnicity, whereas, in Africa, these words can be replaced with “tribe”
Unfortunately, issues of tribalism also shows up within the church context
What are the Apologetics issues that come up in Uganda and/or South Africa?
Isn’t Christianity just a white man’s religion?
Is it okay for me to marry someone who isn’t from my tribe?
Is Christianity really true? Is truth knowable?
Questions about Islam and African tribal religions…how is Christianity different and can I participate in syncretism?
Prosperity Gospel
What are the pros and cons of short-term missions trips?
Pros:
As Americans, we can come with resources that will impact a community (books, clothing, etc)
It opens up our eyes to see that the rest of the world doesn’t live the way we do; in other words, understanding the challenges of other countries, such as lack of clean water, lack of sanitation, etc
Giving of oneself and connecting with people on a deeper level to see that many of our heart struggles are the same (pain, loss, joy, etc)
Cons:
Coming into a country with a mindset of “superiority” and thinking we know best how to change/solve problems
We need to be humble and learn!
Coming in and “infantilizing” a community; in other words, doing everything for them
We need to come alongside and support the people who live there to have ownership of the work they are doing
Turning the trip into simply humanitarian work or sight-seeing; although these are good things, people need the Gospel!
Matt Walsh Documentumentary, “Am I a Racist?”
Summary: In a spoof/”mockumentary” way, it shows the insanity of the current race conversation, in terms of DEI trainings, anti-racism, etc
Possibly a missed opportunity to address real racism and solutions to combat the real issues
Resources:
We have a BRAND NEW website! Check it out here:
Our fall book groups are in full swing! Monique and Krista will lead a group for their upcoming book release, Walking in Unity, which will start on October 21st. Click here to find out the details and to register: https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/bookclubs
In the meantime, be sure to PRE-ORDER your copy of the book and check out the book trailer: https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/walkinginunity
Ratio Christi: Christian apologetics & evangelism ministry on university campuses: https://ratiochristi.org/
To find out more about the great work taking place through Apologetics South Africa, click here: https://apologeticssa.co.za/
Come visit us at the Unshaken Conference! There is one more event in November in Austin, TX. Click the link for all the details and to register. Use the code FRIEND20 to get 20% off your ticket price!
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