Faithful Politics Holly Berkley Fletcher on Missionary Kids, White Evangelicalism, and the Myths of Calling
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Dec 6, 2025 
Holly Berkley Fletcher, a historian and author who grew up as a missionary kid in Kenya, dives into the complexities of white evangelicalism. She explores how missionary culture has shaped American identity and race narratives. The conversation covers the romanticized myth of the 'missionary saint' and the hidden costs for missionary children. Holly also discusses the impact of calling, the disparities in the missionary experience, and the systemic issues within missionary work, urging a shift toward prioritizing children's wellbeing and historical accountability.
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Missions Shape Evangelical Self-Image
- Missions have been central to white evangelical identity and helped craft a positive self-narrative for white evangelicals.
- Holly Berkley Fletcher argues that missionary mythology reinforces broader problems in contemporary evangelicalism.
Conversion Drives Evangelical Missions
- Evangelical missions prioritize conversion over humanitarian aid, using aid as a conduit for winning souls.
- Fletcher acknowledges missionaries do humanitarian work but emphasizes conversion remains primary.
Piper Quote And Childhood Harm
- Fletcher recounts John Piper's exhortation to risk children's lives for greatness and describes it as deeply wounding.
- She and interviewees experienced feeling deprioritized and harmed by parents' sense of calling.
