missionaries

The Reformed Church in America is a contemporary missionary organization that does not offer a clear organizational history. However, the RCA Global Mission page on the organization’s website claims 233 years of missionary work (“RCA Global Mission,” 2018). The RCA and its missionary work can also be viewed within the overall historical context of colonialism and the evolution of post-colonial missionary work. One of the letters refers to the Beebout’s visit to a former slave trade port in Benin, as the authors reflect on the inhumanity of slavery without mentioning the complicity of Christians with the institution of slavery in the United States.

A collection of videos and letters offer primary source data about the nature of Jeremy and Susan Beebout’s missions within the RCA. The most recently touted mission is the partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger (EERN). An analysis of the most recent ten letters and five videos shows that the Beebout projects are focused on Niger, to deliver a multitude of services within the framework of missionary activity. The primary message is that economic and social development can occur within a Christian framework, but also requires the formation of strategic partnerships with local Christian churches and international medical and development organizations that have shared values. The letters also indicate that the overarching goal of the RCA is evangelical, with ancillary goals being related to community development.

One of the more illuminating letters explains the cultural differences that impact service delivery, particularly in the realm of health attitudes and beliefs. “As Americans we tend to use reason and are data-driven, Nigeriens determine the value of what is being taught by their relationship with the teacher,” (Beebout 1). Beebout continues to explain how gender and age signify social status, and that an elder male in the village is perceived of as more credible in the community than a young white female. Therefore, the letters offer honest insight into the normative framework of Nigerian society, and reveal the intersections between race, class, gender, and social power.

The Beebouts exhibit classical colonialist thinking, in that they believe in the superiority of their religion, customs, and culture. Based on the letters and the videos, the Beebouts and their fellow RCA missionaries are also resolute that a Christian worldview is critical to bring about desired changes that can promote social justice. Susan Beebout is also surprised to learn that the locals “revert to their old ways of practicing medicine,” seeming shocked instead of understanding the saliency of health beliefs and their underlying sociological and psychological components.

The primary purpose of these communications is to promote the RCA vision and solicit further funding and support. Secondary purposes include showcasing the way the RCA builds alliances with local organizations including local churches in the target areas. The secondary purpose reinforces the first, by encouraging existing donors to give more based on purported results of the missionary work. Each letter presents detailed updates to specific projects, but without offering accompanying spending reports or budgets. By showing where the money has been going, outlined in detail in each letter, the Beebouts effectively market their mission.