I enjoyed this book because of it's writing style, unique topic, and the fact that it really provided a thought-provoking experience. Recommended for readers who want to read slowly so as to take time to process.

This book is prophetic. It ruthlessly confronts our current cultural baggage around missions all the while calling us back to Jesus and showing better ways to engage. I've heard some criticism around these issues, but the answer usually devolves into some version of "all missions bad." Instead this book reveals our sinful and misguided approaches (short term mission trips, orphanages, child sponsorships, and more) while practically giving another way forward. It values the Biblical call to missions while truthfully acknowledging our failure to follow it.

The first two chapters unpack the present and past problems with the current state of missions. They tackle colonization and the racism that has often accompanied, and still accompanies, missions. The book also confronts our "selfie missions" that is centered around making young students feel like they experienced something.

The main content of the book centers around 3 "stones." These are three guiding principles that are used theologically and practically to present a better way forward. They are (1) a Christ-centered theology of mission rooted in companionship. This is primarily focused on actually living and being among the people. (2) An appetite and competence to engage across differences with cultural humility. This is the crazy idea that maybe the white Americans don't know everything and should often defer to locals. And (3) insights and strategies to accompany local and global neighbors in co-development. This is the idea that missions should be a partnership together.

This book is incredible. It manages to deconstruct the problems all while offering concrete solutions. It does so filled with stories and real world examples of both the good and the bad. It is hard to emphasize how great the vision put forward by this book is. The book is less "here are all the terrible things with the church" and more "look at what we could be instead."

The 7 tools provided in this book are invaluable. I was impressed by the depths and care put into each one. They cover everything from how to represent others well in your photography to an entire curriculum to prepare your church for a healthy short term mission trip.

If you have been frustrated with the current state of white American missions then this is the book for you. It also is helpful for those who lead missions organizations, or the missions effort in their local church. Honestly I would recommend this to anyone who cares or thinks about missions in the church.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley.