When we think about the purpose and function of religious movements that have crossed cultures motivated by Christian evangelism, it is easy to see how the Gospel has often been married to imperialism and the advancement of Western influence.

I sat this week with a man visiting the United States from South America. He was here on a short trip to renew partnerships and encourage donating to his non-profit employer, a vibrant humanitarian organization sponsoring children’s education and church planting in his home country of Nicaragua.

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) have become incredibly skilled in telling their stories. They know that humans are moved by story, and that in positioning donors as the heroes of the story mobilizes financial support.