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Become a patron of the show and help me make even more great episodes! \nDonate by visiting www.patreon.com/trucepodcast\n\nMelani McAlister, author of "The Kingdom of God Has No Borders" and Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University joins us to discuss how we export Christianity. In the 1950s and 1960s, American denominations sent white missionaries to Africa to share the good news. But with them went their bias and racism. This was the era of Jim Crow laws. Some missionaries took those laws to Africa, not allowing black people to eat at their tables.\nIn this episode, we examine the problem of tying the United States to Christianity. When the US makes mistakes or does evil, how does that reflect back on the church?\nChristian missionaries sometimes export the United States with their messages. What else is going with our missionaries?\nDiscussion Questions:\n\nHave you ever been on a mission trip before? What was your motivation for going?\n\nDo you think that it is possible to marginalize the people we are trying to witness to?\n\nHow do you feel about showing pictures of poor people in church presentations? How might that practice encourage churchgoers to marginalize a people group?\n\nDo you think poor people in other countries are happier?\n\nIs it okay for us to export the American way with the gospel? If yes, then which things should we export?\n\nLinks:\n\nThe Kingdom of God Has No Borders\n\nAn interesting introduction to the British Empire and their withdrawal from colonialism\n\nAn introduction to the troubles in Congo\n\nAn NPR article about US-backed rebels\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices