The Missionary Kids

Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism

By: Holly Berkley Fletcher

Narrated by: Nikki Zakocs

As sidekicks to their parents' and churches' ambitions, missionary kids (MKs) face questions many white Christians eventually ask: about God's calling, sacrifice, faith, privilege, racism, abuse, and what belonging means. In The Missionary Kids, Holly Berkley Fletcher reveals how MKs have intimate access to the movement's logic, longings, and ideals.

Drawing on her experience as a Southern Baptist MK in Kenya, on conversations with other missionary kids, and on the work of psychologists, historians, missiologists, and researchers, Fletcher paints an intricate portrait of family life on the front lines of the missionary movement. From boarding school to war zones, and from sexual assault by adult missionaries to fending for themselves so as not to distract from the work of the Lord, MKs bear the weight of their parents' choices and their churches' ideals.

For many years, few people sought out MKs' real voices. God had called their parents to do great things, so the kids were beside the point. But the children of missionaries are beneficiaries of evangelicalism's rewards and victims of its failings.

And now they are ready to talk.

©2025 Holly Berkley Fletcher (P)2025 Christian Audio

Powerful and true to life

While I was not one of the MKs surveyed for this book, it still tells my story. The author is careful to explain that all experiences are different, but she also points out the things almost all MKs have in common, and they are spot on from my own experience. This book is thoughtful, well-written, and insightful. Highly recommend.

She gets it 100%

I am an MK from the same school Holly went to, around the same era. She has put words to so many of the feelings and thoughts I've had for decades. This analysis is brutal, hilarious, long overdue, mournful, fair, and full of grace as well. A must read for everyone in the American church, especially those interested in "missions", "global work" or whatever your conscience wants you to call it. Full disclosure: I am now a missionary myself, but in a highly specialized medical field, and after having lived in the US for 25 years.

The other side of the story

For those of us who grew up as an MK, many of us share many similar experiences. This should be required reading for every mission board. Excellent book!

Extremely Interesting, Even for non-MKs

First, let me say, I know Holly a little, so I'm not completely unbiased. In fact, I only bought the book as a show of support for her. Now, having said all that, I found the book extremely interesting. I can't say "enjoyable" because, as one might expect, there is a LOT of talk of abuse, particularly child abuse. But the insights into a world so foreign to my own upbringing were fascinating. Holly does an excellent job of mixing her historian training with her gift for humorous writing to keep the story from becoming too heavy. I learned a lot. The reader is also excellent. Highly recommend.

Essential, beautiful, affirming. The book I have been searching for for 23 years.

I felt like I’d been waiting my whole adult life for a book like this. Essential for MKs, but beneficial for all in the white evangelical sphere.