In a recent post on evangelism, an African evangelist posted some comments that I though were quite good. His name is Godfrey Mawa, and here is what he wrote about how western missionaries often spend money on their African mission trips (I edited his comments somewhat for this post):

Your thoughts are great and there are very few people who have such a heart and who are willing to help native missionaries to impact their villages, cities and nations. 

I agree with what you wrote: native African missionaries are more effective than visiting missionaries. I can’t be more effective than a trained American evangelist in reaching Americans for Christ as many barriers will hinder me from efficiency.

Over the span of the past years, I have seen many missionaries spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on air flights, expensive hotel bills, and other expenses.  Yet in Africa, $10,000 will do a significant evangelistic work, or buy land for a school project, an orphanage or anything that can add value to the kingdom of God.

Nevertheless, some Christian relief missionaries will spend $100,000 to bring in donations worth $1,000 . I saw this during our recent mission to the war-torn Northern Uganda (in response to Joseph Kony and LRA rebels insurgencies/atrocities that lasted for over 20 years). It was not uncommon to see a missionary using a private jet, spending their stay on safaris and first-class hotels, while they give one-time foodstuffs and used clothes as donations. Of course, while they are handing out the food and clothing, they also take lots of good pictures and videos for their Praise Reports.

I have evaluated that, as a native African missionary, my team and I can do more effective work in evangelism with $10,000 than a visiting missionary can do with $100,000. 

A lot of churches in the developed world believe in their own trained missionaries and that’s why they would rather spend the larger amount. There is some legitimacy to their concern. Sometimes they have heard of or dealt with the wrong native persons before examining or training them, and these native African missionaries have disappointed them. This has killed the trust for native African missionaries. Nevertheless, there are still great native African missionaries who will work unto changing their communities and people towards the values of Christ.

My prayer is that churches and missionaries will use God given resources with good stewardship, as evangelism yields amazing fruits. The needy orphans, widows and helpless people helped and nations changed with a holistic approach. That way, the Lord will be praised! The nations will declare His praises. 

At my request for more information about his missionary team, he sent in this information:

I am available to advise any missionaries interested in doing a mission work in Africa on how to be cost effective, yet with great results/fruits for the Lord’s kingdom. We have diverse experience ranging from all forms of evangelistic missions, relief and aid, leadership training and development, orphans, widows and the elderly, awareness and sensitization, among others. You can also see some pictures on our mission website or the following Facebook links;

https://www.facebook.com/malipuko
https://www.facebook.com/godfreymawa
https://www.facebook.com/afrikidzuganda
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Commission-International/114524275303169

Our organization has opportunities for individuals or groups of those interested in coming for mission experience in Africa.

I am doing to get you a list of advise for missionaries coming to Africa or third world countries, with an effective mission yet, without wasting finances and resources.

Thanks again Jeremy, for the great work. I know many are going to be helped.

Please note that I am not “endorsing” Godfrey’s African mission. He and I have never met and I have never worked with him in doing any sort of missions in Africa. I have posted his information because he validates what I have found to be true in my own experience, and what I have read in numerous other books about the best and most cost-effective way of doing evangelism and missions in other countries, especially in places like Africa.

What books?

Here’s two:

When Helping Hurts
The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church