Brittany Gardner serves as the African American Engagement Coordinator for the missions agency SIM USA. In that capacity she seeks to engage, educate and equip African-American Christians and churches to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). She discusses her work and the current state of African-American participation in global missions.

Note of correction from Brittany: “I mentioned that it wasn’t until the mid-80s that SIM USA’s bylaws were updated to include African Americans, but that was actually declared in 1966 following the United States government passing the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. It wasn’t until the 80s that SIM accepted the first persons of African descent as full members (Rev. Curtis Hayes and his wife Opal went to serve in Liberia in 1981).