Open Hands’ A Mission Model for Local, Lasting Change

In this episode Jerry Eicher (Anabaptist Theological Perspectives) reflects on mission models past and present and features a recent presentation from the Anabaptist nonprofit OpenHands.org at Oak Hill Mennonite Church. The conversation examines how traditional material-driven missions have often failed to produce lasting spiritual change and contrasts that with Jesus’ model of meeting material needs while prioritizing spiritual transformation. Guest speakers from Open Hands explain their practical approach: savings-and-credit groups with local facilitators that center worship, teaching, mutual aid and economic cooperation. The episode includes concrete stories — a funeral collection that tested group ownership and a founding member attending anonymously — showing how local responsibility, not outside handouts, fosters cohesive, growing churches. Jerry also critiques colonial-era and modern material aid strategies and warns against the temptation to substitute Western wealth for spiritual formation. Key takeaways: sustainable mission requires local ownership, spiritual teaching woven into community practices, and outside funds used to train facilitators rather than replace local agency. For more, watch the Open Hands presentation on Oak Hill Mennonite Church’s YouTube and visit OpenHands.org; the organization currently has a matching fundraiser to support facilitator training.