RICHMOND, Va. – International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 52 new full-time, fully funded missionaries, while also honoring the service of 80 emeritus missionaries during their Feb. 2-3 meeting in Richmond, Va. Chuck Pourciau, trustee chairman and lead pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, presided over the two-day meeting, which included 53 trustees meeting in person and 17 joining online due to issues such as COVID-19 and inclement winter … [Read more...]
IMB updates vaccination policy to maximize access to unreached peoples
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Desiring to help its team members maintain access to unreached peoples and places and remain healthy as they seek to take the gospel to all nations, the International Mission Board announced a policy Sept. 8 for field personnel and staff members related to COVID-19 vaccinations. This policy addresses the challenges of overseas life and travel requirements for IMB missionary personnel and IMB staff members who travel overseas. The IMB policy requires IMB missionaries … [Read more...]
IMB postpones volunteer trips through June 30, personnel ‘shelter in place’
RICHMOND, Va. – International Mission Board senior leaders have directed IMB missionary personnel around the world to postpone hosting any ministry volunteer groups through June 30, leaders announced Wednesday, March 25. Consideration of missionaries hosting volunteer teams beyond June 30 will be reviewed on May 1, leaders reported. “We’re instructing our personnel to postpone all volunteer efforts at this time due to the uncertainty of health and travel for those traveling … [Read more...]
IMB, Billy Graham Center focus research, resources on rural churches stateside and abroad
WHEATON, Ill. – The International Mission Board and the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College’s Rural Matters Institute have launched a five-year research project that aims to arm the rural church with resources needed to advance the gospel within and beyond the United States. “The idea is to provide information that will benefit rural practitioners in the United States and around the world,” said Dr. Jeffrey Clark, director of rural missiology andresearch for the IMB. “This will involve … [Read more...]
IMB trustees approve balanced budget
RICHMOND, Va. – International Mission Board (IMB) trustees approved a balanced budget for 2019-20 during their Sept. 25-26 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The meeting also included an update on an external report regarding IMB’s prevention and response to abuse and harassment. The week also included orientation for 23 new IMB trustees, including Missourian Jim Barnhart, associate pastor of Miner Baptist Church, Sikeston. He joins two other Missouri Baptist on the IMB trustee board: … [Read more...]
Lafferty named candidate for IMB Executive VP role
RICHMOND, Va.—International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood announced Jan. 30 that Todd Lafferty will be presented to the entity’s board of trustees as his recommendation for the IMB’s next executive vice president. IMB trustees, who meet Feb. 6-7 in Richmond, Va., are responsible for electing the person who serves in the EVP role. Todd Lafferty currently serves as pastor of mobilization for Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. He and his wife, Susan, previously … [Read more...]
Chitwood to be Installed as IMB President Feb. 6
RICHMOND, Va. — The International Mission Board will install Dr. Paul Chitwood formally as its 13th president on Feb. 6, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond. The public is invited to attend the installation service, which will include a Sending Celebration honoring the appointment of 19 new Southern Baptist international missionaries. The IMB’s board of trustees unanimously elected Chitwood, 48, as president of the organization on Nov. 15 in Richmond. Chitwood, … [Read more...]
Chitwood announced as candidate for IMB’s presidency
RICHMOND, Va. — The International Mission Board trustees’ Presidential Search Committee announced Tuesday, Nov. 6, that the committee will recommend Dr. Paul Chitwood, 48, to be elected as the 173-year-old entity’s 13th president. The vote to elect Chitwood is scheduled for the Nov. 15 plenary session during the Nov. 14-15 IMB board meeting in Richmond. A former chairman of IMB’s board of trustees, Chitwood currently serves as executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the … [Read more...]
Platt to step down from IMB; Meador named interim president
RICHMOND, Va. – After receiving the resignation of Dr. David Platt, IMB president, to be effective at the Sept. 27, 2018, trustee meeting, the Executive Committee of the board of trustees of the International Mission Board voted in a special meeting Sept. 13 to approve Dr. Clyde Meador as interim president starting Sept. 27, subject to full board approval. Platt has served as president of the IMB since Aug. 27, 2014. Since September 2017, Platt also has served as pastor/teacher of McLean … [Read more...]
UPDATE: IMB missionaries Randy and Kathy Arnett die from injuries sustained in Africa accident
Missouri-native missionaries taught sound biblical foundations to African church leaders RICHMOND, Virginia – International Mission Board missionaries Dr. Randy Arnett, 62, and Kathy Arnett, 61, died March 14, 2018, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Missouri-native missionaries served as theological education strategists for Africa. The Arnetts were traveling to a theological training event with fellow missionaries Jeff and … [Read more...]
IMB trustees name committee to search for new president
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – The International Mission Board began the search for a successor to David Platt to lead the SBC entity during their Feb. 28-March 1 meeting in the Richmond, Va., area. Platt, the mission board's president, reiterated his desire that the 173-year-old Southern Baptist entity stay on course for taking the Gospel to the world's darkest, hardest-to-reach places. To that end, IMB trustees approved the appointment of 20 new fulltime, fully funded missionaries. Trustee … [Read more...]
IMB’s Platt asks trustees to begin search for successor
RICHMOND, Virginia – International Mission Board President David Platt has asked the mission agency’s trustees to begin searching for his successor. Platt announced his decision to IMB field personnel and staff on Monday, Feb. 12, in person and via email to those not in Richmond. While requesting that the search for the IMB’s next president begin immediately, Platt will continue as president at IMB until a new president is elected. A presidential search committee will be comprised of IMB … [Read more...]