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Welcome!
Are you hungry for a Jesus who looks more like the gospels?
A Jesus who brings good news to the poor,
overturns tables to disrupt injustice
and parties with outcasts?
My name is Craig Greenfield and I’m an outsider who helps insiders become alongsiders.
During two decades of living in slums and inner cities, I founded a grassroots youth movement called Alongsiders International, now reaching tens of thousands of vulnerable children across
30 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe.
I speak and write about God’s heart for the poor and justice, and why we so often get it wrong. My latest book is called “Subversive Mission: serving as outsiders in a world of need”
Come join me in this conversation. If you’d like to figure out what it looks like to serve without being a jerk you can start by taking the Missional Types Quiz below. Bring coffee… maybe some snacks…and let’s get started….
LATEST BLOG POSTS
Featured
Serving as an “outsider” is vastly different to serving as an “insider”. So how does that impact the way we use our gifts?
Here’s an sneak peek of Subversive Mission: serving as outsiders in a world of need. Find out how you can join the Launch team and get your hands on a copy before anyone else.
Here are my "Lessons Learned the Hard Way" - practical suggestions and insights for responding to that upturned baseball cap…
In Biblical times, there were two types of prophets - those who feasted at the King's table, and those who were exiled to the caves. Here’s how to tell the difference.
FEATURED ARTICLES
You don't have to be a devotee of Joel Osteen or Joseph Prince to be sucked in by this insidious teaching.
We love the thrill of using our skills in a place where they are desperately needed. But that may be just the problem.
What if the temptation we face is NOT the temptation to pursue evil but instead, the temptation to pursue good, in the wrong way?
For my friends living in slums or on the streets, the idea that Jesus is overturning the status quo gives them hope.
Christians - we are lagging behind on this one. We should be the ones who are out there supporting families. Instead we are destroying them.
Sometimes helping hurts the “helped”, especially when money is involved. But there is a better way...
Would Jesus show any sort of special concern for one particular group or another?
I'm pretty sure He would, and here's why:
Would you give a prostituted woman condoms, so she could protect herself until she found freedom?
MINISTRY & MISSIONS
True transformation rarely takes place in a 14 day window, but rethinking our approach to these trips can bear a lot of fruit. Here’s how…
In popular Western culture, missionaries are pith helmet-wearing colonialists – forcing their culture and religion on people who don’t want it. But is this fair?
5 overlooked ways to live your faith at work. Our faith can't just be something we dust off on Sunday mornings - outside work hours. But the church’s teaching around Marketplace Ministry has often been anaemic.
Over time, I've discovered a rough way of measuring whether something holds the seeds of long-lasting impact or not. It's contained in this simple, 3-word question…
One of the best ways to have our hearts stirred for the things of God, is to get out of our comfort zones. But this cannot be at the expense of the poor.
One thing is certain, if there is to be change, it will very likely be led by the generation that gave us Snapchat, sexting, and selfie sticks.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know I'm not satisfied with the status quo in church and missions. I'm convinced we can do better.
We love the thrill of using our skills in a place where they are desperately needed. But that may be just the problem.
What if the temptation we face is NOT the temptation to pursue evil but instead, the temptation to pursue good, in the wrong way?
Why limiting ourselves to preaching, church-planting and in-house potlucks is a big problem.
A lot of what we do on Short Term Mission Trips superficially looks like empowerment. But when you scratch the surface...
Don't be that ugly foreigner. Here are some tips to help you consider carefully the type of photos you take, and the story you are telling with each image.
I've recommended these to dozens of people. Now, I've compiled them together in one list so you can jump on board the learning revolution too.
CHARITY & POVERTY
The reality is bad enough, without the need for alternative facts, sensationalism, and bravado.
Over time, I've discovered a rough way of measuring whether something holds the seeds of long-lasting impact or not. It's contained in this simple, 3-word question…
One of the best ways to have our hearts stirred for the things of God, is to get out of our comfort zones. But this cannot be at the expense of the poor.
The real war on Christmas is waged by those who claim the name of Jesus, while embracing the values of the Empire...
It's time we grew into a deeper and wiser engagement with charity and the poor. 3 key principles for getting it right.
We love the thrill of using our skills in a place where they are desperately needed. But that may be just the problem.
What if the temptation we face is NOT the temptation to pursue evil but instead, the temptation to pursue good, in the wrong way?
A lot of what we do on Short Term Mission Trips superficially looks like empowerment. But when you scratch the surface...
I've recommended these to dozens of people. Now, I've compiled them together in one list so you can jump on board the learning revolution too.
For my friends living in slums or on the streets, the idea that Jesus is overturning the status quo gives them hope.
Jesus was no Joel Osteen. Jesus was a controversial, radical, subversive trouble-maker who challenged the status quo and the religious establishment. Maybe our gospel is too small.
Christians - we are lagging behind on this one. We should be the ones who are out there supporting families. Instead we are destroying them.
Sometimes helping hurts the “helped”, especially when money is involved. But there is a better way...
ACTIVISM & POLITICS
This moment in history will be one we look back on. Our children will ask - what did you do when the refugees came?
Sometimes the message is loud and clear - help poor people, just don't talk about why they are poor or challenge the system that keeps them in poverty.
From children of slaves, to native children forced into residential schools, orphanages and now refugee children - we have a long and sordid history that we need to face.
Historically, the most terrible things: war, genocide and slavery, have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.
The real war on Christmas is waged by those who claim the name of Jesus, while embracing the values of the Empire...
Why limiting ourselves to preaching, church-planting and in-house potlucks is a big problem.
We live in interesting times. Despotic leaders are the new black. Here's what the Christmas story teaches us about how to respond...
Some of these guys act as if they have a special Skype connection to God. Yet they reflect nothing of His priorities for justice.
Jesus was no Joel Osteen. Jesus was a controversial, radical, subversive trouble-maker who challenged the status quo and the religious establishment. Maybe our gospel is too small.
The only "good news" Trump offers is a perverted kind of unity...the excitement of scapegoating.
It is ironic that those who trumpet their Christian faith most loudly are advocating the least Christ-like positions imaginable.
This week the needs of the world rudely threatened to break through into our comfortable existence.
In this historic week, where Myanmar is on the cusp of massive change, these words will inspire, provoke and challenge you towards justice.
Would Jesus show any sort of special concern for one particular group or another?
I'm pretty sure He would, and here's why:
FAITH & LIFE
As I was reflecting on the times in my life where cynicism was swept aside, I detected a pattern…
Historically, the most terrible things: war, genocide and slavery, have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.
Jesus left the most exclusive gated community in the universe, in order to come down and make his home in our midst...
I'd like to worship God from the reality of the world I live in, surrounded by people, not just nature. And I'd like to worship God through the tears I shed for the brokenness around me.
You don't have to be a devotee of Joel Osteen or Joseph Prince to be sucked in by this insidious teaching.
Jesus told a story about someone who faced massive injustice. The lessons in this story are profound.
Why limiting ourselves to preaching, church-planting and in-house potlucks is a big problem.
We live in interesting times. Despotic leaders are the new black. Here's what the Christmas story teaches us about how to respond...
These are the films that spoke to my soul, stirred my conscience, and nourished my spirit. Perhaps you'll like them too...
I've recommended these to dozens of people. Now, I've compiled them together in one list so you can jump on board the learning revolution too.
For my friends living in slums or on the streets, the idea that Jesus is overturning the status quo gives them hope.
Jesus was no Joel Osteen. Jesus was a controversial, radical, subversive trouble-maker who challenged the status quo and the religious establishment. Maybe our gospel is too small.
There was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer.
The best place to learn about community is not from the affluent and powerful, but on the margins, among the poor.
Join the tribe.
Sign up for my monthly insights and by way of thanks, I’ll send you a free e-copy of my groundbreaking first book, The Urban Halo - the story of our first 6 years living in Cambodian slums.
5 reasons this term may no longer be useful