CHINA – Imagine a city with millions of people yet hardly anyone leaves their home. Normally bustling buses and metro trains run practically empty. Restaurants discourage dining in favor of food delivery, public parks remain closed, children attend school online, and everyone wears breathing masks in public. This seemingly bleak picture is the effect of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in China, which has unexpectedly provided ministry opportunities for pastor Matt Tyler. Matt and Emily Tyler … [Read more...]
Churches called to ‘be poised’ for ministry when coronavirus subsides in Italy
ITALY – Though some Missouri Baptist churches have halted their plans to send mission teams to Italy because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Missouri Baptist Convention Multiplying Churches Director Rick Hedger is urging churches to keep Kingdom growth at the forefront even as they wait for the virus to subside. According to Reuters, Italy is the European nation hardest hit by the coronavirus, with 5,883 cases and 233 deaths reported in the nation as of March 7. Northern Italy, where Missouri … [Read more...]
IMB recommends mission volunteers postpone travel due to coronavirus risk
In light of the continuing global expansion of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), the International Mission Board’s coronavirus task force and senior leadership recommend that mission volunteers from U.S. churches postpone international mission-trip travel through April 30. This date could be extended and will be reevaluated by April 15. IMB also recommends that people who have not yet purchased tickets for future travel wait and monitor continued risks of travel before buying tickets. … [Read more...]
Physical healing leads to faith in Lesotho
LESOTHO (BP) – International Mission Board missionary Teresa Flora is praising God today for physical and spiritual transformation in the life of a family in Southern Africa. Mosilisi, an 11-year-old girl, lives in a high mountain village in Lesotho. She is Basotho, and her people group remains unreached. She lives with her widowed mother, two school age siblings and her twin baby brothers. Teresa, who is a missionary nurse, met Mosilisi about four years ago when she held a clinic in a … [Read more...]
After 25 years overseas, couple trains leaders, makes disciples in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY – David Ford, an elder at Freshwater Church here, admits that his wife, Janene, was right. When David surrendered his life to the ministry, he knew – rather, he insisted – that he’d never move outside of the state of Missouri. He grew up at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Highway 54, outside of Jefferson City. “I was a Missouri boy,” he said, “and dad never took vacation. So (our family) never left the state of Missouri.” After earning a degree at Southwest Baptist … [Read more...]
Response to gospel evident in the Balkans, despite challenges
MACEDONIA – Before she met Jesus, Gryta* had a very low self-esteem. Her past holds experiences of abuse, neglect and health issues. A few years ago, she met Amy Williams, an IMB missionary, at an ESL class. Amy befriended Gryta and told her about the boundless love of the Savior. Gryta then went to a Bible study where she received more kindness and acceptance from other Christian women. Unfortunately, her patterns of destructive behavior continued. Gryta lives in Macedonia, officially … [Read more...]
IMB’s Chitwood sets five-year plan, new VPs
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (BP) – IMB president Paul Chitwood announced IMB's five-year plan during meetings with trustees Jan. 29-30 in Riverside, Calif. IMB trustees also elected Charles Clark as vice president of mobilization and Price Jett as vice president of finance, logistics and technology; appointed 21 new missionaries for service around the globe; and recognized 78 former IMB personnel in memoriam. Seth Polk, who serves as IMB trustee chairman, presided over the meeting. Polk is lead … [Read more...]
Churches partner to share love of Christ in Dominican Republic
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Partnership in ministry is a real application for two Missouri churches, Beulah Baptist Church in Richland and Lighthouse in Brumley. The two churches sponsored four joint mission trips to the Dominican Republic in the last three years. “Our churches formed a partnership with Pastor Jeorge,” Rick Morrow, Beulah pastor, said. “He pastors two churches in the Dominican Republic. One is for Haitian refugees and the other is a Dominican church.” According to Morrow, the … [Read more...]
One Missourian among 21 IMB missionaries appointed
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (IMB) – Representing Southern Baptist churches throughout the United States, 21 International Mission Board missionaries were publicly celebrated during a service at Magnolia Church in Riverside, Calif., Jan. 29. One Missourian was among the missionaries commissioned. Her identity was withheld for security purposes, since she will serve in North Africa and the Middle East. The missionaries were voted on and approved by IMB trustees earlier in the week in California. Dr. … [Read more...]
IMB African American church strategist named
RICHMOND, Va. – Jason Thomas has joined IMB's partner relations team as African American church mobilization strategist. In this capacity, Thomas will work with nearly 4,000 African American churches across the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to mobilize pastors and church members to pray, give, go and send. "The IMB is excited to have Jason join our team as we work to deepen our relationships with African American churches across the convention," said Chris Derry, director of IMB's … [Read more...]
‘The most troubling situation’ – Open Doors president discusses rise, impact of persecution in China
EDITOR’S NOTE: On Feb. 5, I spoke about the global persecution of Christians – particularly of those in China – with David Curry, president of Open Doors, a California-based ministry that supports and raises awareness about persecuted Christians around the world. The following is a transcript of our interview: Benjamin Hawkins: How would you describe the current condition of Christianity in China today? David Curry: “Well, the persecution in China I think is the most troubling … [Read more...]
Daddy-daughter time gains Kingdom purpose for Open Door Church pastor
COLUMBIA – When a daddy accompanies his daughter to a tea party or escorts her to a dance, she remembers. But for Olivia Stockeland, she will forever remember the time her daddy swept her off her feet and took her on a mission trip. Luke Stockeland, Olivia’s dad and pastor of Open Door Church in Columbia is a father of four. He has been active in mission work since he was a teenager, when he and his family developed a heart for Haiti. His father and brother currently serve there as … [Read more...]
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