Mekdes Haddis is a sought-after millennial African missiologist whose voice challenges Western individuals, churches, and organizations to rethink their missional approach.

In this episode, Mekdes shares about her upbringing in Ethiopia and the challenges she experienced after moving to the United States to pursue her studies, eventually leading her to write a postcolonial critique of Western mission. Her book, A Just Mission, is a call to upend the white savior complex and pursue a more globally just approach. Mekdes writes with passion and conviction, providing a vision for de-centering the perspective of senders and better understanding the perspective of receivers. 

In this episode, we highlight the following themes:

• Mekdes's personal journey as a woman of color moving to America
• The path that led Mekdes to write A Just Mission
• The ways God can use the intersection of an author's lived experiences and a researched topic

Links from this episode:

• Learn more about Mekdes: mekdeshaddis.com
• Listen to a daily Bible podcast: Get in The Word with Truth’s Table

About the Guest:

Mekdes Haddis is the founder and executive coach of Just Missions, an online community that elevates diaspora voices and equips Western allies to become mutual partners for the work of the gospel. Originally from Ethiopia, she moved to the United States in 2003 and earned a BS in communications from Liberty University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Columbia International University. She is also the project director of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Collaborative for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

SPECIAL OFFER | Effective Jan. 1st, 2024, all promo codes mentioned in this episode are expired. Please use the code IVPOD25 at ivpress.com for 25% off of Mekdes’ book, A Just Mission, at checkout.

About the Host:

Paloma Lee is an assistant producer and project specialist at IVP. She has an M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.A. in English.

Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

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