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...]
Gospel advances in South Asia despite travel restrictions
SOUTH ASIA (IMB) – Dasya* was at the end of his rope. He needed to provide for his family and had no means of doing so in his village. He walked three days on foot, sleeping on the side of the road, to search for work in a larger city. When Dasya arrived in the city, he had no food, no place to stay and no work prospects. A friend suggested that he pray to Jesus for help. Dasya did, and the Lord answered by sending a stranger who gave him enough money to pay for a place to live in the … [Read more...]
Baptism continues, though Rome church services canceled
Church planter explains impact of coronavirus response in Italy EDITOR'S NOTE: The Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) has a missions partnership in northeast Italy. To learn more about this partnership, contact MBC Multiplying Churches Director Rick Hedger (rhedger@mobaptist.org) or visit https://mobaptist.org/partnership-missions/ends-of-the-earth/. The article below is written by Reid Karr, a church planter with the IMB serving in Italy. ROME, Italy – Although the actual number of … [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...]
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...]
Social media proving key to reaching young adults
Guadalajara, Mexico – Young adults of Latin America have grown up wired, as in many other cultures. They use smartphones to interact but not just when they are apart. Young people in the same room text each other, simultaneously following separate chats, interacting over shared photos and videos. They use phones to check webpages for homework assignments and they email one-paragraph reports to teachers who cut to the chase in lectures, preparing students to communicate in the soundbites of … [Read more...]
South Carolina volunteers reach refugees in Greece with gospel
GREECE – During the summer of 2019, South Carolina Baptist volunteers developed a greater understanding of the plight of refugees. Tom Hilliard* and Brett May*, two of the state’s volunteers spent a month ministering to refugees crowded into a camp on the Greek island of Lesvos. Their service was arranged through South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Missions Mobilization office. Hilliard and May looked into the eyes of desperate, exhausted people who fled Syria’s war or Afghanistan’s … [Read more...]
IMB worker learns from delayed harvests
More than a decade ago, Liam Remington*, an IMB worker new to the mission field, found himself in a riverside town in the mountains. That same day, a young nomad named L.T.* came to the same town. Remington, a trained linguist, was hoping to conduct language surveys in the area. L.T. happened to be from the people group Remington was hoping to meet. Remington and L.T. happened to meet on a street corner. It was a divine encounter. Remington was a willing witness and L.T. was a seeking … [Read more...]
IMB missionary: ‘I’ll continue to pray’
CENTRAL ASIA – Praying in the local language is one of the hardest things I’ve done on the mission field. My face has flushed hot with embarrassment as I trip over grammar and falter over each word. I can’t count how many times I’ve wondered if any of the spiritual words I’m stringing together in prayer make sense. But I’m convinced praying in the local language is one of the most important things I’ve done. I recently visited my neighbor who had just celebrated her 98th birthday. She … [Read more...]
Deaf man in Indonesia turns from brink of death to new life
INDONESIA (BP) -- Nick* felt like he had no reason to live. His depression became so overwhelming that he wanted to die. One day he climbed to the top of a bridge and was about to jump. Just before he leapt, he saw something that caught his attention: a bright figure in front of him. The image intrigued him and seemed to break him from a trance. Nick didn’t jump that day. Instead, he got down from the bridge and felt drawn on a journey to discover an explanation for the figure that saved … [Read more...]
Christian chiefs break from 700 years of pagan practice in Ghana
NORTHERN GHANA – The tension can be felt across the crowd of hundreds outside the palace in Nalerigu, Ghana. They wait in silent anticipation for the Taraana, one of the Mamprusi king’s seven elders, to come out of the hall to present the man the king has selected as chief. When he does, the new chief’s supporters erupt into cheers and applause. The Taraana ceremoniously places a white smock on the chief followed by a bright red cap. Thus begins several days of celebration and ritual as the … [Read more...]
Equipping shepherds of the African church
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – “Let me stop you right there.” The student looked confused and turned to me after I interrupted him. He was reading a passage that he thought was about financial giving in the church. “Read the verse before the one that you just read.” He read, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37 CSB). “Now reread the verse you read before.” He read, “Give, and it will be … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »