Since 2016, we’ve worked with diverse partners to serve Ethiopia and the world through our writing, teaching, and mentorship. Our core projects include the writing of our founder Andrew DeCort and Tekaling Nega, the Neighbor-Love Movement, and Prophetic: The Public Theology Fellowship.
Our mission, vision, and values define who we are and drive what we do. The details matter; here’s ours:
Our mission is to inspire young Ethiopians and people around the world to become leaders who see, serve, and love others as their neighbors.
To inspire: Ethiopia and countries around the world face extreme poverty, escalating conflict, and devastating violence. Young people have a deep need for inspiration: a sense of hope and an invitation to be part of a better future. Our work seeks to nurture this. Check out our Covenant, seven Practices, and call to become Ambassadors.
Young Ethiopians and people around the world: Our world is growing younger. In Ethiopia, seventy million people are under the age of 25. Youth are increasingly defining the present and future of Ethiopia. Every life is equally valuable, but our core audience is youth and young professionals.
To become leaders: We define leaders as people who embody our Neighbor-Love Covenant and positively influence others. Everyone can be a leader in their personal and professional lives. Our goal is not only to inspire formal leaders but to inspire young people to live with a leadership mindset: “The way I live can enrich others.”
Who see, serve, and love others as their neighbors: “Othering” is the root problem we aim to address. We define it as the human tendency to see others as less or unrelated to ourselves. We want to inspire young people to become leaders who overcome othering and relate to others as neighbors, people with precious value. This begins with a new vision (“see”) and new action (“serve”) in relation to others. Love isn’t fuzzy feelings. Love is passionate will and practical work for our mutual wellbeing.
Our vision is to nurture neighbor-love culture that honors faith and elevates human flourishing, especially for the poor, hated, and forgotten.
To nurture: With our relationships, books, and programs, our goal is always to nurture – to care for and encourage growth in – people and a culture of neighbor love.
Neighbor-love culture: This culture is characterized by human dignity (people have value across our differences and disagreements), dialogue (people can talk to one another), trust (people can rely on others), cooperation (people can work together), and innovation (people can find new solutions to old problems). It’s the opposite of a culture of egoism and extremism.
Honors faith and elevates human flourishing: We long to heal the divorce between a personal relationship with God (faith) and a passionate commitment to human wellbeing (flourishing). We believe that authentic faith and flourishing fuel one another. Jesus promised, “Love God and love your neighbor, and you will flourish” (Luke 10:28).
Especially for the poor, hated, and forgotten: Our honorary founders are Wudenesh (a disabled girl who worked in the streets to support her family), Eyob (a wounded boy left for dead in Addis), and Ferdosa (a Muslim girl facing ethnic cleansing). Our deepest passion is for those who have been overlooked, rejected, or oppressed.
Our Values
Deep Gratitude: We give thanks in all things.
Radical Hospitality: We build bridges and welcome everyone.
Endless Learning: We embrace a posture of humility and never stop learning.
Courageous Responsibility: We strive to do what’s right even when it’s costly.
Patient Hope: We never give up and believe in new creation.
About our logo: The diamond in our logo represents the precious value of others. The spokes around it represent a compass. Together, when we can see the precious value of others, we have the compass we need to live into authentic faith and flourishing.
Learn about our team here.