The Thompsons are two of 49 individuals who answered God’s call on their lives and were appointed as International Mission Board missionaries during the Sending Celebration on Nov. 14 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. In total, 51 missionaries were approved unanimously for appointment in a virtual meeting of IMB’s board of trustees held Nov. 9. This included one couple with ties in Missouri, who will serve among South Asian Peoples.

Henar was searching for the truth everywhere she thought she could find it. The search left her overwhelmed and without peace. That’s when she met Emilio and Hannah Marrero, International Mission Board missionaries to the Basque region of Spain, through an online Bible study. She connected deeply with them and the message they taught using art.

As a 22-year-old Journeyman, Jeri Whitfield saw long-term missionaries commit their lives to God and the people they served. That was her model for missions — a missionary presence that creates gospel access and transforms lives. It’s still her desire today, 40 years later. It’s also why she’s returned to serve in Thailand through the International Mission Board three times.