Craig Greenfield’s latest book, Subversive Mission: serving as outsiders in a world of need, hits bookshops today.
Craig is former Servants Cambodia team member and Servants International Coordinator, and now Founder & Global Team Leader of Alongsiders International. He speaks from decades of experience of living among the poor and marginalised in Phnom Penh and Vancouver, along with his wife Nay and two children.
Are you from an affluent Western country, or from a privileged class within a majority world country? Are you also experiencing God’s call to work amongst people in material need? If you answered “yes” to both these questions, this book is a great place to begin exploring appropriate ways you can prepare for and participate in God’s mission in these places.
“Before we head out to change the world, we must first be honest about the power we’re carrying. As I share my journey, with all its flaws and mess-ups, I hope you will join me in seeking a better way, a more beautiful vision for how we can all bear the light we have been given into the world.”
Subversive mission, Craig’s new book, is available from TODAY November 1st.
Excerpt from chapter 1 …
My phone lights up and pings with a message. I flick my thumb across the screen and an invitation appears. The backlighting on my phone illuminates my face as I read the invitation of a lifetime.
“Brother Craig,” it begins, as so many messages from my friends in India do. Relationships are everything in this part of the world.
“. . . would you come and speak at our upcoming Christian event in Delhi? You would be our keynote speaker. There will be twenty thousand young leaders in attendance. We want you to challenge them to reach out and walk alongside children in their communities. You can really get your Alongsiders message out, Brother!”
Twenty-thousand young leaders! My eyebrows lift, and a whistle of amazement escapes my lips.
For some, public speaking is their worst nightmare. Speaking to twenty thousand young leaders would be daunting for most people—and frankly, it’s daunting for me, too.
But I have been sharing about God’s heart for the poor at conferences, festivals, and churches for years, and an opportunity to spread the vision like this is an amazing dream for me, a chance to use my God-given talents to grow the Alongsiders ministry and reach thousands of children.
I start thinking through logistics and imagining the potential impact. And if I’m honest, I begin to imagine myself on that stage, the audience in rapt attention. Some good photos of the crowds for my social media feed wouldn’t hurt at all. I’m only human.
I press my forefinger on the message until it turns a darker shade, and then I hit the forward button. Before responding, I know that I need to submit the invitation to my mentor and South Indian friend, Paulus.
My connection with India goes way back to my paternal grandparents, who were missionaries in South India for twenty-five years. My father spent his early years in Bangalore. My parents were also missionaries, so I guess you might say that being an outsider working for change in the world runs in my blood.
Paulus has been helping me navigate these types of situations in India for years, and as an outsider, I’m careful to listen to his insider advice. But as I wait for Paulus’ response, my heart begins to sink a little as I anticipate what he will say. I know Paulus well.
His message eventually pops up on my phone. “Brother! Call me when you can.” Relationships are everything in India.
I press video dial with trepidation, and within seconds, I am greeted by Paulus’s smiling face and rich, baritone voice. A Tamil by ethnicity, he has a very dark complexion, and he is wearing his thick, trademark black glasses. They frame the kindest eyes, which shine with spiritual wisdom and friendship.
I want to make sure he understands what this invitation means to me, and so I almost start to say, “This is the invitation of a lifetime, Paulus!” But I hold my tongue and wait for my mentor to speak.
“Ah yes,” he smiles. “I don’t think this is a good opportunity for us, ahhha? This will put a big spotlight on you as a foreigner. If we want this discipleship movement to take off here as a local Indian movement, it would be better for it not to be presented by you. That will send the wrong impression, Craig.”
His words are understated but crystal clear. They immediately remind me of the ancient Khmer proverb, “It takes a spider to repair its own web.” My chest sinks, and I feel my lips curve into a slight frown. I know Paulus is right, but frankly, I’m gutted. After I hang up, I sit for a while, letting the disappointment sink in.
Now, at this point in the story you may be thinking, “Needs are needs. Who cares who meets them? Get out there and make a difference! Seize every opportunity to use your God-given gifts to preach the gospel!”
But what if the greater invitation for many of us in this new era—particularly those of us who have power and privilege—is to use more wisdom in the ways we seek to serve others? I’ve had to learn this lesson the hard way as I have lived for two decades in slums and inner cities and made a lot of mistakes along the way. Though I’ve started ministries around the world, I am still learning.
