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An air of celebrity and controversy has trailed Wilkinson. In Africa, the Swazi press accused him of having a greater interest in controlling land than helping orphans. Another article was headlined, "Dream Plants Cause aids." That sensationalist (and untrue) account was triggered when an American volunteer used latex gloves to plant vegetable seedlings.

Alan Wolfe, a political science professor at Boston College, told CT that greater realism is overdue in relief and development work. "I don't think you undertake these kind of efforts without a certain kind of naiveté. I don't mean that as bad. If you were totally cynical and corrupted, you would probably never do what Bruce Wilkinson did in the first place.

"If people attracted to go to these places had a more balanced view in the beginning, they might accomplish less, but they might also burn out less," said Wolfe. "In religious terms, it's an Augustinian realism."

Timothy C. Morgan is deputy managing editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Wall Street Journal report on Wilkinson is available online for subscribers.

Christianity Today's cover story on Wilkinson includes:

Mr. Jabez Goes to Africa | Bruce Wilkinson expands his borders to include racial reconciliation and HIV/AIDS. (Oct. 17, 2003)

Never-Ending Gardens | Bruce Wilkinson and his son teach the hungry to feed themselves. (Oct. 17, 2003)

CT's managing editor, Mark Galli, reviewed Wilkinson's The Prayer of Jabez and The Secrets of the Vine.

More on ministry in Africa is available from our World Report.

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February 2006, Vol. 50, No. 2