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For decades, savior complexes and ego trips from many of American churches' mission efforts have left people living in developing countries feeling uprooted and stripped of dignity and humanity. Two women, Dr. Lauren Pinkston and Abby Littlefield, have decided to put an end to this issue by building true relationships with their missions. In addition, they have taken a proactive approach to the potential repercussions a short-term mission trip may have.

Their organization, Kindred Exchange was founded in September of 2020 with the purpose of establishing ethical partnerships between missionaries and missions around the world. As churches continue to do missions, it is often self-satisfying, obscuring the true meaning of the work and leaving it lost in translation. Kindred Exchange's vision is to create an environment where missionaries, organizations, and those in need connect in a meaningful way with mutual respect. Each mission should be seen as an opportunity to invest in God's kingdom, to share His love and to be a part of His story. One way in which they do this is ensuring that missionaries are properly trained and fully aware of the culture and customs of the area they are serving as well as supportive of the local church, rather than overshadowing it with outside resources.

This journey for Lauren and Abby started at Lipscomb University. Lauren was an Assistant Professor of Business as Mission and Abby was a student. Prior to their meeting, Lauren had just returned from serving as a business aid in Southeast Asia for five years. Abby was introduced to mission trips in high school and discovered a passion for travel and an affinity for different cultures. Abby had been praying for a mentor for quite a while, then one day a friend came along and insisted on meeting Lauren. A coffee date bonded them tremendously. Abby then graduated in 2020 with a degree in Missional Entrepreneurship, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, her career plans quickly faded. With the pressure of marriage right around the corner and independence begging to come out, Abby began applying to any and every job that would give her a chance. However, she had no luck. But with the talk of this business in the air and an unsatisfactory job search, Abby took a leap of faith. She decided to take on Kindred Exchange full time alongside Lauren.

Interestingly, shoes were another one of the sources of inspiration for their mission. Toms Shoes is an example of social enterprise with the "one for one" mindset. Whenever you purchase a pair of their shoes, they donate one pair to underdeveloped countries. Although the intent was to help those in need, the company also found that it generated more popularity and business than local businesses in those countries. This resulted in increased sales for Toms Shoes, but shoemakers and factory employees were unable to make consistent profits due to the lack of demand, which severely impacted the economy. Later, Toms Shoes recognized their faults, changed their business model and partnered with local shoemakers to manufacture their shoes. This company was able to right their wrongs and include everyone in their plans to build a better world. However, it's unfortunate that it had to be reactive. Kindred exchange, on the other hand, works proactively to ensure the needs of all stakeholders first and foremost, ensuring that everyone benefits from their decisions and that no wrongs are committed. This forward-thinking approach sets them apart, allowing them to build a better world. In Lauren's and Abby's view, building a better world of mission trips requires three words.

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Sustainability. Agency. Co-powerment.

These three words have been the driving force behind the Kindred Exchange. "The diversity that exists across cultures and continents gives the world so much beauty and depth. It also makes issues of justice, equity, and physical and spiritual well-being unique to specific contexts and circumstances. There is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to cross-cultural missional efforts. However, we do believe there are foundational components found by engaging in healthy, helpful, and holy ways.⁣ Here’s a few words you may hear us use frequently as we discuss more ethical ways forward," says Kindred Exchange. They proceed to explain the value they place on these three terms. "Sustainability: Facilitating programs and processes that create lasting and holistic change. Agency: Valuing and supporting the intellect, insight, and experience of those we work alongside. Co-powerment: Participating in relationships that are mutually beneficial." With the weight embedded into their chosen vocabulary, they become a truly God-centered force to be reckoned with in terms of ethical communications between cultures. They not only offer ministry through a fresh perspective, but do so with service truly at the heart.

Kindred Exchange calls for dismantling the perpetual 'Savior complex' as part of its mission-building efforts. The 'Savior complex' is a psychological phenomenon in which a person believes they have the power to solve the problems of others, even when they are not asked to. This type of thinking can be dangerous and lead to people feeling entitled to interfere in the lives of others without their consent. For example, someone with a Savior complex may attempt to "rescue" a person from a difficult situation without being asked to, without considering the consequences of their actions, and without consulting the person they are trying to help. But if you do it with a cape and tights, it's totally cool, right? Jokes aside, Kindred Exchange continues to abolish ego by abiding by scriptures such as Galatians 3:38, "And now we no longer see each other in our former state because we are all one in union with Jesus Christ." By following this scripture, Kindred Exchange is committed to creating a community built on unity and love, rather than individual pride or ego. As a result of this messaging, they are able to complete tasks in many ways.

One way is by offering business consulting. Kindred Exchange's business consulting involves helping businesses to identify opportunities for improvement, and then providing them with advice and guidance on how to take advantage of those opportunities. The consultants may also offer support in terms of implementation, such as providing training and advice on how to execute the plans in terms of getting "unstuck." Another approach is having “Kindred Cohorts.”"Kindred Exchange partners with missionaries and their social networks, bringing entrepreneurship and financing principles to communities in the Global South. We help relieve the burden of financial support, facilitate the development of locally-owned businesses, and provide a theology of business to those working in developing contexts."

The last resource available is conversation. Kindred Exchange offers podcasts and courses to equip churches and organizations with the resources they need to do mission work. The podcasts and courses deliver training on topics such as financial support, local business development, and theological business principles. Kindred Exchange additionally has a blog, where they share stories from their partners and discuss the importance of business in mission work. They also discuss the practical implications of their theology of business, and the impact of their work on the communities they serve. They highlight the importance of how these principles can be applied in the real world. They also highlight how they are creating lasting changes in the lives of people who need them the most.

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Creating lasting relationships and changes has been a major part of Kindred Exchange's pursuit since the beginning. One of the Kindred Cohorts involves 11 entrepreneurs from Uganda. From bookstores to schools to job opportunities, these business owners are looking to build resources and start movements that positively impact their communities. "Through the cohort, these entrepreneurs will be able to receive 1:1 and guided group business coaching so they can launch their businesses, create dignified jobs for their community, and establish ministry through the marketplace." The impact has been phenomenal. With Kindred Exchange providing safe working environments, social support, and secures funding to push aid to the disenfranchised. If you feel so moved, you can help support the Ugandan cohort here.

Although they have gained deep ties to leaders in Uganda, that isn't the only thing Kindred Exchange has to offer. Supporting their efforts in other ways is also possible. Through social media, Kindred Exchange is able to share stories of success and spread the word to potential customers, partners and donors. These stories resonate with people around the world and help Kindred Exchange to further its mission of creating dignified jobs for underserved communities. To look further into this, you can access their Instagram page here. They also have podcasts, such as The Upwardly Dependent Podcast, and The Missio Pop Podcast which is coming in the Summer of 2023. Another way to support is to participate in a missions trip. Though applications for the May 2023 trip have closed, more trips are in the works.

As a result of the work of this organization, tangible paths have been created for people and communities that were considered impossible. Through a simple prayer, connections were established that joined businesses to become the salt and light of the world. It truly is a kindred exchange.