‘I’ve thought a lot about whether I did good or evil'

Image Amy Peterson, foreground, on her mission in Southeast Asia in the early 2000s.

I worked as an English teacher and an “undercover” missionary in a country where proselytizing was forbidden. Over the last 15 years, I’ve thought a lot about whether I did good or evil in sharing the Gospel with those women.

The “missionary myth” I grew up with originally developed alongside the frontier myth in America — in both, a rugged individual sets off to conquer a new world. In both, you can find white supremacy and western cultural imperialism. All of this leads to the kind of endeavor undertaken by John Allen Chau — one right in line with the way that missionary work has often been mythologized in the white American church.

— Amy Peterson, 37, Upland, Ind. Served as a missionary to women in Southeast Asia for two years in the early 2000s.

‘ The goal is to change hearts, not to change cultures’

Image Grace Laurel Rogers on her mission trip to Romania.

The killing has made me really think about and define my opinions on being a missionary. Why I do it, how I do it, how to do it right.

The goal is to change hearts, not to change cultures.

— Grace Laurel Rogers, 22, Charleston, S.C. Served on mission trips to Romania and East Asia.

‘If someone is truly called by God to do something, they must do it’

Image Mike Wilson in Haiti, where he lives and works with his family.

I believe if someone is truly called by God to do something, they must do it. Jesus broke with the traditions and taboos of His day to touch lepers. The world is not going to always look out for my safety; much of that responsibility is to me, and with my faith, I must go and do what I’m called to do.

— Mike Wilson, 46, Leogone, Haiti. Served several short-term mission trips to Haiti since 2003; has lived there with his family full time since 2014.