It is no longer news that sex scandals involving ministers of the gospel, dead or alive, have surfaced across Africa and beyond. During a missions conference, a seasoned missionary confessed to a colleague: “More than half of our missionaries and pastors were found to have visited pornographic sites when their devices were secretly checked.” This disturbing revelation reflects a deeper crisis – sexual misconduct and abuse exist within the missions community, often hidden behind spiritual service and a culture of silence. Sexual misconduct in missions includes any inappropriate sexual behaviour, harassment, exploitation, or abuse committed by or against those involved in missionary work. It may be physical, emotional, or spiritual, and occurs among missionaries, leaders and the people they serve. In Africa, where respect for spiritual authority is deeply ingrained, such misconduct is often manipulative, exploiting trust and power dynamics.

Some mission leaders abuse their authority by grooming younger missionaries or vulnerable locals. Peer-to-peer misconduct is often dismissed as a “moral failure” rather than addressed as abuse. In rural communities, poverty and desperation make locals easy targets. Tragically, children – whether missionary kids or local youth – are sometimes victims, with stories surfacing years later. Two weeks ago, my spiritual daughter, a trainee missionary in Northern Nigeria, narrowly escaped an attempted rape by someone among the very people she was sent to reach. Thankfully, fellow missionaries intervened in time.

Ignoring abuse violates biblical justice.

Though hard data is scarce, anecdotal evidence and internal reports suggest that sexual misconduct is not rare. Mission organizations often respond with silence, fearing reputational damage or donor backlash. Others spiritualize the issue, urging repentance without accountability. This culture of secrecy allows abuse to persist and victims to suffer in silence. But scripture warns us: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11).

Sexual misconduct destroys lives, undermines the gospel, and corrodes trust in missions. Victims carry trauma, and communities lose faith in those who came to serve. Ignoring abuse violates biblical justice. “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” (Jer. 23:1). Mission organizations must implement transparent policies, safe reporting channels, and independent investigations. Training in trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and ethical boundaries should be standard. As a trauma healer, I am currently working on a case involving a mission leader accused of abuse. My late friend, Pastor Solomon John of Living Faith Shandam Nigeria, used to say, “Holiness is not immunity.” Being called demands a higher standard. “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16) is not just a call to purity, but to integrity in every area of life.

This editorial is a call to action, not to shame, but to shine the light; not to accuse, but to advocate for healing and justice. The mission field must be a place of safety, not secrecy, and the Church must lead the way in ensuring that those who serve and those whom they serve are protected, respected, and restored. Some ministries are already signing safety acts. May others follow.

In this issue of AfriGO, professionals and mission workers share their thoughts and experiences of sexual misconduct and abuse in missions. Our Perspective article delves into the psychology of sexual abuse in Christian circles and how it should be handled. Our Feature story highlights how two leaders dealt with sexual misconduct in a mission team. We also bring you articles on safeguarding the vulnerable from sexual abuse and for dealing with pornography. We hope that you find this issue an encouraging and relevant resource.