Short-Term Missions or Voluntourism? Working against objectification, with Austin Robinson

Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions

What happens when visitors to other culture contexts remain unaware of their own personal agendas? How might short-term mission trips be transformed into opportunities for learning and listening–and for putting aside assumptions? What if humility and teachability became the hallmarks of all mission trips?

In this episode, Forrest talks with Austin Robinson, a full-time missionary and Executive Director of Eternal Anchor, a ministry in Mexico that is dedicated to serving children with special needs. Austin is also one of the authors of the book Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions, and his essay—called “Re-Symbolizing the White Van”—makes the case that the kinds of short-term visitors who actually help more than hurt are those who come with an attitude of humility and teachability—and a willingness to come alongside locals who are already doing the work of Jesus.
Eternal Anchor Ministries
MA International Community Development, Northwest University

Most of the folks you’ll hear on this podcast are also contributors to a new book called Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions. So if you like what you hear, and want to learn more about what these folks have to say, the book will be a great resource for you.

Website: https://reimaginingstm.com
Publisher's book page: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666712919/re-imagining-short-term-missions
Email: [e-mail]
Instagram: @reimaginingstm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078703976617