FUKUOKA, Japan – When IMB worker Jack Wattanawongsawang and his wife, Prinna, moved to Fukuoka, Japan, at the end of 2016, one of the first things they began to do was prayerwalk. They’d leave their apartment, pick a direction, and just start walking. Along the way, they’d pray for God to lead them to the people He had prepared for them to meet, and for God to direct them to the places He’d prepared for them to go. And then, they’d pray one more thing. They’d pray specifically for God … [Read more...]
‘They call me Mom’: God gives unexpected family to single missionary
THAILAND (IMB) – The words weren’t easy for Angela to hear: “If you go back as a single career missionary, you probably will never get married.” She understood that her adviser wanted her to consider the sacrifice she might have to make by committing to long-term missions. A one-way ticket to another country could greatly decrease her chances of meeting a husband and having a family. “It was a count-the-cost moment,” Angela says, though she was not deterred from God’s call on her life. In … [Read more...]
Missions survey released by MBTS’s Hadaway
KANSAS CITY – Ever since the beginning of the modern missions movement, Baptists have explored the world, researched its tribes and cultures, and looked for the best methods for reaching all people with the message of the cross. Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s missions professor Robin Dale Hadaway continues this tradition in his latest book, released this year by B&H publishing, titled A Survey of World Missions. In his book, Hadaway lays out the biblical basis and … [Read more...]
Gospel spreads among truck drivers in West Africa
WEST AFRICA (BP) – In West Africa, truck driving is a dangerous and stressful job. Drivers face job insecurity, the threat of being robbed, extortion from corrupt policemen, and cultural and linguistic barriers as they cross borders taking imports from the coast to landlocked countries farther east. So when Christians offered to pray for Ahmed* one day as he prepared to leave the port and transport his next load, he didn't mind, even though he was Muslim. As he continued on his route, he … [Read more...]
IMB virtually celebrates sending 61 missionaaries
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – The International Mission Board (IMB) commissioned 61 missionaries in a virtual Sending Celebration on June 9. Three missionaries with links to Missouri were among the new appointees.. Sending Celebrations provide a forum for Southern Baptists to commission new missionaries and hear their call to missions. IMB trustees voted on and approved 59 of the missionaries this spring in a virtual board meeting. Two missionaries were appointed in January. The commissioning … [Read more...]
Missionary faces pandemic without fear after war, genocide, coups, terrorist attacks
SOUTH ASIA – In the 32 years he’s been on the mission field, Cole Elbridge* has ministered during a war, a genocide, two attempted coups, a civil war, a political insurrection and terrorist attacks. He’s stood up to armed bandits, ministered among Christian communities facing religious persecution, chose homelessness in order to minister to the destitute, was evacuated due to increased rebel activity and survived cancer. Elbridge has lived through famine, floods and cyclones. He’s … [Read more...]
IMB’s first virtual Sending Celebration scheduled for June 9, 2020
RICHMOND, Va.– Since 1845, nearly 25,000 Southern Baptist missionaries have shared the gospel, made disciples, planted churches and settled their families in 185 countries around the world. Sending Celebrations are a time to commission new missionaries who are furthering the vision of reaching all peoples with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Considering the necessary cancellation of the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, where the Sending Celebration was to take place, IMB has moved … [Read more...]
SBC churches to observe June 7th Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
RICHMOND, Va. – On average, eight Christians died every day for their faith in 2019. That equals more than 2,920 people killed for the cause of Christ last year, according to the 2020 annual report from Open Doors’ World Watch List. In addition, 9,488 churches or Christian buildings were attacked, and 3,711 Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned. Overall, 260 million Christians experienced high levels of persecution in the top 50 countries on the World … [Read more...]
Passion for church planting, missions drives Twin Rivers Association’s Brent Campbell
TROY – Brent Campbell was an insurance agent and a deacon in a Baptist church for much of his adult life. But the last twelve years he had a second career as the director of missions for the Twin Rivers Baptist Association, Wright City. Campbell retired in February. It was not the usual path for a director of missions. Campbell grew up in Troy, went to “Mizzou,” got married to Diane and got established in the insurance business. He was an agent for Shelter and later for Allstate. But in … [Read more...]
Trustees approve 59 new IMB missionaries, address budget concerns amid pandemic
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – During a virtual meeting May 13-14, trustees of the International Mission Board approved the appointment of 59 new missionaries, including three with links to Missouri. They also received an update on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which has contributed directly to a shortfall of about $4 million in the IMB's budget and necessitated spending cuts and a hiring freeze. Trustees also elected Christy Roberson as vice president of human resources and Price … [Read more...]
Faithful teaching leads to spiritual growth in Kenya
KENYA – Christianity is prevalent in Kenya; 85.5 % of Kenyans identify as Christian according to the 2019 U.S. State Department’s World Factbook. However, the majority of Christians in Kenya have a misconstrued view of Jesus and the Bible, said Daniel Lowry, an IMB missionary who serves in Nairobi. In a post-colonized era, western practices have infiltrated and woven themselves into the fabric of Kenyan traditions and culture. One popularized idea that has seeped into the Kenyan religious … [Read more...]
IMB celebrates 175 years with prayer, virtual timeline
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – 2020 has been a year like no other. COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has taken lives across the globe and caused untold sickness and suffering. Closed borders limit international travel. "Shelter-in-place" orders are leading to massive unemployment in the U.S. as retail businesses, manufacturers and restaurants shutter their doors. And yet, the International Mission Board continues to see God at work around the world – work Southern Baptists have … [Read more...]
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