When news circulates about the suspension or restructuring of foreign aid programs, it’s natural for many Christians to feel worried that the world’s most vulnerable populations might be neglected.
This concern is valid. However, it also prompts some harder questions. What if some of what we consider “help” isn’t as effective as we believe?
The recent changes to foreign aid are presenting new opportunities. The U.S. can reconsider not just how much it contributes, but also the manner in which it does so.
Imposed Values
For many years, American foreign aid has positively impacted various regions. However, it frequently came with expectations that put struggling nations in a difficult position. Funding was often contingent on adopting policies related to family life, sexual orientation, and bioethics that didn’t align with the values of the communities receiving support. Governments that resisted these stipulations risked losing critical aid.
This reality should prompt reflection from a Christian standpoint. Supporting the impoverished is a moral obligation. Yet, providing care that forces a community to compromise its fundamental beliefs isn’t truly compassionate. Even if presented as progress, it’s a form of coercion.
The Bible encourages us to love our neighbors as they are, not to impose our own perspectives on them.
Pursue Good Things
This is why the Geneva Consensus Declaration is significant. At present, 41 countries—representing over 2.5 billion people—are part of this coalition, affirming that international law does not mandate a universal right to abortion and that each nation has the authority to manage its own laws concerning life and family.
These nations were not coerced into joining. Many felt frustrated with external entities attempting to enforce agenda-driven frameworks through funding requirements and international pressure. They sought genuine collaboration, not isolation. They wanted to be recognized as countries capable of determining their own futures, rather than as projects to be managed.
This aligns with a principle that Christians should acknowledge: human dignity encompasses moral agency. It includes the autonomy of communities to pursue what is right before God without pressure from more dominant forces.
Protego Framework
There are undeniable realities that the U.S. must consider. Nations such as China are expanding their influence in Africa and Latin America by offering infrastructure and investment with fewer explicit strings attached. Meanwhile, America’s strength lies in its capacity to provide what China cannot: a genuine partnership that honors the countries it serves.
This means shifting from a control-based model to one of true partnership.
At the Institute for Women’s Health, we’ve been trying to do just that with what we call the protego framework. Instead of coming in with predetermined solutions, we collaborate with national leaders, faith communities, and local organizations to create programs that reflect each country’s values and needs.
For instance, in one African nation, we worked on developing a national framework for health and life skills education with contributions from diverse societal segments, including interfaith leaders. Designed to benefit tens of thousands of educators and healthcare providers, this program is tailored to the specific context of that country. Its values are distinct, and even if the partnership concludes, the capacity to sustain it persists.
Such efforts take time. They demand listening, humility, and trust. But this approach is fundamental to a Christian view of ministry.
Prosperity of Mankind
We aren’t simply tasked with achieving results. We’re called to serve others as individuals, not merely as means to further our own agendas.
Engaging honestly with foreign societies acknowledges the dignity of every country and community. It rejects the notion that helping vulnerable groups should be contingent on ideological alignment. We should invest in supporting human flourishing, nurturing strong families, fostering healthy communities, and promoting the well-being of women and children, ensuring these efforts are locally shaped rather than imposed from outside.
The recent restructuring of foreign aid does create new avenues for the U.S. to reevaluate not just the amount it contributes but also the methods it employs.
For Christians, the focus shouldn’t be merely on defending existing programs. It should be about making sure our actions embody the character of the One we aim to serve. We are called to assist those in need, but authentic service must encompass humility, respect, and honesty.
