CHARLESTON, S.C. – The pews of First Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina, were filled to celebrate newly appointed International Mission Board missionaries on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Thirty-nine missionaries preparing to live and serve among unreached peoples shared brief testimonies with the crowd and welcomed prayers offered on their behalf. Marshall Blalock, pastor of the church and IMB trustee, welcomed the missionaries and congregation to the historic church with strong ties to … [Read more...]
IMB reports LMCO totals more than $204 million; trustees approve $312 million budget
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 69 full-time, fully funded missionaries during their Sept. 25-26 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. Fifty-seven of the missionaries participated in a Sending Celebration hosted by First Baptist Church Park Street, Charlottesville — the historic church where the famous Southern Baptist missionary Lottie Moon was baptized. Trustee chairman Keith Evans from the Northwest Baptist Convention presided over the … [Read more...]
IMB trustees appoint 83 missionaries, express commitment to gospel advance
RICHMOND, Va. – International Mission Board trustees approved 83 fully funded missionaries for appointment, May 15-16. They also affirmed numerous reports from around the world detailing Southern Baptists’ efforts in advancing the gospel among the lost. The missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 11, at 10 a.m. EDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis. The event will be … [Read more...]
Jesus is unfamiliar gift for many in spiritually lost world
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Southern Baptist Convention's 2023 Week of Prayer for International Missions is Dec. 3-10. To learn how to pray for Southern Baptist mission efforts around the globe or how to support the International Mission Board through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, visit imb.org. BELGIUM (IMB) – Lostness around the world is growing every day. In fact, 59% of the world’s population remains unreached. This means there are less than 2% evangelical … [Read more...]
IMB appoints 72 new, full-time missionaries
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 72 full-time, fully funded missionaries during their Sept. 27-28 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. The missionaries participated in a Sending Celebration Wednesday evening, hosted by Swift Creek Baptist Church in Midlothian, Virginia. Keith Evans from Washington state, who was elected trustee chairman in May, presided over the meeting. Nate Bishop, first vice chair from Kentucky, called the meeting to … [Read more...]
Strength of globalization reflected in IMB’s partnership with Korean Baptists
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – IMB staff welcomed 12 representatives of the Korea Foreign Mission Board to their home office in Richmond, Virginia, Aug. 22. The visit to Richmond was an opportunity for Korean leaders to tour the facility and hear more about current operations and advancements at the International Mission Board. Discussion was built around sharing ideas and learning from each other as the partnership between the two mission boards grows. The meeting comes on the heels of IMB … [Read more...]
IMB trustees appoint 92 missionaries, stay focused on gospel advance
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – International Mission Board trustees approved 92 fully funded missionaries for appointment during their May 17-18 meeting in Richmond, Virginia. Missionaries approved for appointment will be recognized during a Sending Celebration on Tuesday, June 13, at 9:50 a.m. CDT in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event will be livestreamed on sbcannualmeeting.net. Trustees gave a warm welcome to IMB … [Read more...]
Aftab’s journey reveals plight for many persecuted Christians
SBC Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church set for Nov. 6 Nights are the hardest. Really, anytime he’s alone in the apartment is hard. He’d much rather be with people or be busy at work. Time alone reminds him of his family – his wife, daughter and two sons. He hasn’t seen them in person in nine years. He blinks back tears when he talks about them. When Aftab fled his home country, he thought he’d only be gone for a few weeks, possibly months. He can hardly imagine that it’s been this … [Read more...]
Healthcare team reaches war-torn region with more than medicine
UKRAINE (IMB) – Down Ukrainian roads, cloaked in the golden hues of the vibrant but short-lived autumn, comes help and hope. A caravan of cars following a yellow panel van borrowed from a church carries suitcases and plastic tubs filled with medical supplies. A mission team, including healthcare professionals from both Ukraine and the U.S., prepares each day for the hours of work ahead, sometimes catching a needed nap on the journey to or from the day’s location. The caravan of hope is … [Read more...]
God continues miraculous healing of IMB missionary George Smith
RICHMOND, Va. – Southern Baptists heard the story of George and Geraldine Smith this summer when IMB shared about George’s life-threatening ordeal with COVID-19. Many missionary co-workers, IMB staff and family and friends in the U.S. knew the story before it was shared publicly and had been part of God’s miraculous answer to prayer. IMB is pleased to offer this update about George’s continued progress and healing. George and Geraldine are now in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where George … [Read more...]
2020 stats show growth in global mission work, IMB reports
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – An International Mission Board report, available to the public, shows growth in global mission work in 2020. “I have to admit that I’ve been a little nervous about that report,” said Paul Chitwood to IMB field personnel and staff last week. Citing the disruptions and unforeseen circumstances of 2020, Chitwood admitted he wondered what statistics would show regarding the progress of mission work. “Honestly, I expected a drop off in the vital statistics we track to … [Read more...]
Scattered believers connect to care for those imprisoned and persecuted
The Christians in one Muslim region are working hard in recent days to support their brothers and sisters who have been imprisoned for their faith. Though scattered because of current persecution, they send cryptic messages through social media and text apps and try their best to keep each other informed. Many of these believers live in different cities or even countries. In the last six months, their messages often speak of the rise of persecution and how to care for those in prison. … [Read more...]