CENTRAL AMERICA (BP) – Hurricane Iota has sights set on Central America, making it the second major hurricane to hit the region following Hurricane Eta’s Nov. 3 landfall. Iota is the 13th hurricane and record-breaking 30th named storm during an historic 2020 hurricane season. Eta took the lives of dozens of people after generating landslides and flooding, and Iota arrived in northern Nicaragua Monday night (Nov. 16) as a category 4. The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists encouraged to pray amid crisis in Armenia, Azerbaijan
ABOVYAN, Armenia – In a state of shock, Armenian Pastor Vazgen Zohrabyan couldn’t stand to enter the Abovyan City Church here for three days. Located in a town only 10 miles north of the Armenian capital of Yerevan, his 250-member church offered on social media to take in refugees of war. The response was overwhelming, and for a short time it emotionally took its toll on the pastor. This crisis began when, in late September, fighting once again erupted between Armenia and its neighbor, … [Read more...]
Fires in Greece refugee camp don’t stop gospel spread
LESBOS, Greece – In early September, fires destroyed Moria, the largest migrant camp in Greece on the island of Lesbos. Thirteen thousand refugees were without shelter. Kashef* is an Afghani Christian who lives on Lesbos in order to minister among the refugee communities. Kashef landed on the island in a boat as an asylum seeker, so he can empathize with the communities in the camps. With the camp on fire, refugees were forced to take shelter on the streets. Kashef told IMB worker … [Read more...]
IMB to host virtual Sending Celebration, Nov. 18
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – The International Mission Board will celebrate the appointment of 79 new missionaries from 21 states with a virtual Sending Celebration, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. EST. The missionaries were previously approved for appointment by IMB trustees. The celebration will include an address by IMB President Paul Chitwood, missionary testimonies and a time of prayer. As country borders open, they will depart to serve among eight of IMB’s nine affinities. Viewers can join the … [Read more...]
Slater, Marshall churches build homes in Mexico
ACUNA, Mexico – Acuna, Mexico is a border town just across the Rio Grande River from Texas. Families use scrap materials and anything that they can find for shelter. First Baptist Church, Slater, and First Baptist Church, Marshall, found a way to minister to this need. “In October, we caravanned to Mexico,” Paul List, FBC Slater pastor, said. “We worked with Casas por Cristo to build a house for a family of five. We were able to meet this tangible need while strengthening the … [Read more...]
IMB trustees appoint 80 new missionaries, set budget
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – International Mission Board (IMB) trustees unanimously approved the appointment of 80 full-time, fully funded personnel during their Sept. 29-30 meeting. The new missionaries will be sent to eight of IMB’s nine global affinities. A virtual Sending Celebration in November will publicly recognize the new field personnel and their appointments. This was the second trustee meeting of 2020 held virtually, due to continued caution surrounding the spread of COVID-19. … [Read more...]
Believers in Madagascar partner to craft Bible stories in local dialects
MADAGASCAR – In the last ten years, believers in southwest Madagascar have crafted over 100 local dialect Bible stories that are now told over the radio each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Missionaries secured a weekly 20-minute radio segment for the stories when COVID-19 prevented churches from meeting in person. Antonny, one of the local pastors, receives texts after the stories play. More than 15 people have contacted him asking about salvation, discipleship opportunities, local … [Read more...]
Missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa commit to reach 55 people groups in five years
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – While more Christians live in Sub-Saharan Africa than in any area of the world, 27,000 people in the region die every day without knowing Christ. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the fastest-growing populations in the world and one of the highest rates of child mortality. Many people groups in Sub-Saharan Africa have no gospel presence and no knowledge of Christ. IMB leadership in the region set a goal to start ministering among 55 unreached people groups. The ministry … [Read more...]
Lottie Moon offering exceeds goal at $159.5 million
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – The International Mission Board is reporting a 2019-20 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering total of $159.5 million, the second highest offering in history. This total exceeds by $4.5 million the 175-year-old organization’s budgeted goal of $155 million. IMB also received $97.2 million from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program for 2019-20. “I’m thrilled to report that the Lottie offering is growing again,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “A growing Lottie … [Read more...]
IMB workers in Northern Africa and Middle East say prayer initiative ‘begins with us’
NORTH AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST – In 2012, a church in Texas committed to pray for an unengaged people group in Northern Africa. They knew they would not have access to much, if any, information or updates but they remained committed to pray. Several Christian workers in the Northern Africa region were also burdened to pray for this same people group. In 2015, through a series of events and connections that only God can orchestrate, the gospel was taken to this group by believers from other people … [Read more...]
Baptists known for excellent medical care in Indonesia
INDONESIA (IMB) – Southern Baptists have a long history in medical missions and have continued to bring hope and healing during the COVID-19 crisis. Field workers around the world use hospitals and clinics as ministry centers to serve communities and offer physical and spiritual healthcare. In 1957, three Southern Baptist representatives—nurses Ruth Ford, Everly Hayes and Dr. Kathleen Jones—founded Kediri Baptist Hospital in the city of Kediri on the island of Java in Indonesia. In 1972, … [Read more...]
Persian refugee pastors grow in faithful teaching and partnership
CENTRAL ASIA – How can a persecuted believer trust again after being betrayed by those closest to him? How can a person rightly understand suffering when his culture is awash in prosperity gospel teaching? How can a pastor carry the weight of leading when he doesn’t know how to study Scripture? These are challenges that Christian workers Mary and Andrew Flint* face every day as they seek to encourage growth among Persian refugee churches. Recently as they reflected on the first half of … [Read more...]
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