Ethan Gee: "I’m trying to raise 1,000 and 100 dollars for missions...but, I only have $6." Like most boys at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 6-year-old Ethan Gee wanted to win the penny war against the girls. “Like really, really, really bad,” he agonized. “The girls always win.” He asked his mother, Sarah, if he could take some pennies from his shark-shaped bank for the contest. They emptied the coins on the table. As they pulled out pennies, they talked … [Read more...]
Missionary kids spread gospel seeds in the Netherlands
THE NETHERLANDS (IMB) – Music and laughter waft up the path long before the teenagers on reddish-orange rental bicycles make an appearance. The long, single file line of Americans meander through the Netherlands countryside while locals zip past on their own bikes. When the team comes to a traditional Dutch windmill that serves as a rest stop, they dismount, feeling a little stiff and saddle-sore from the two-hour ride. The discomfort isn’t enough, however, to keep the horseplay and teasing … [Read more...]
Prayers prepare the way home from Zambian prison
ZAMBIA – The news was good. So exciting, in fact, that it was hard to keep it a secret. The chief officer of the Zambian women’s prison, a local believer, pulled the visiting International Mission Board missionaries into his office. He looked around conspiratorially, burst into a huge smile and said four women who attend their weekly Bible study would soon be released. They’d received a presidential pardon. Then he swore them to secrecy. While Jane Thompson and Kimberley Windham promised … [Read more...]
Oral Bible stories reach ‘everyday’ people
NORTH AFRICA (IMB) – Riding home on the subway, Patrick Stein casually looked around at fellow passengers. Two things stood out: 1) As a 50-something, he was probably one of the oldest commuters. The median age in this North African city was 26. 2) Everyone had earbuds and stared at their phones, each person in their own private world. The International Mission Board missionary silently wondered what it would take to get people as interested and engaged in Bible stories. As the train … [Read more...]
War retreat provides ‘soul care’ for Ukrainian ministers
UKRAINE (IMB) – Rest. It’s a four-letter word. There’s no rest in war. There’s no rest amid the missiles and gunfire that have plagued Ukraine for the past year. Yet, when Mike Domke, International Mission Board missionary, looked at a network of 60 Ukrainian pastors and missionaries, he knew that’s exactly what they needed — to rest and rejuvenate by doing nothing. “You want us to come and do nothing?” the weary and beaten ministers asked dumbfounded when Domke invited their families … [Read more...]
IMB trustees appoint 46 new missionaries, celebrate reports of increased engagement
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 46 new full-time, fully funded missionaries, while also honoring the service of 87 missionaries and staff during their Feb. 1-2 meeting in Richmond, Virginia. Chuck Pourciau, trustee chairman and lead pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, presided over the two-day meeting. The new missionaries were honored during a Sending Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 1, which included a … [Read more...]
Global inflation doesn’t keep IMB missionaries from being ‘present’
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – Otis Newman opened the door and stared at the empty refrigerator. The kids rifled through the cabinets next to him. The family ate everything except dried goods before leaving for vacation. The International Mission Board missionary cringed just thinking about how much it might cost to restock. Inflation has been a global hot topic for months. Experts try to predict how it will affect the economy, but for most people, it doesn’t hit home until they pay for groceries … [Read more...]
Twelve new Zambian churches bring glory to God
ZAMBIA, Africa (IMB) – It was the first service as a church and excitement showed on everyone’s faces. They’d been working up to this moment for months with Bible studies, learning to share the gospel and lessons on being a healthy church. As the opening prayer began, everyone quickly shuffled to their seats — flat rocks excavated from a field and lined up in perfect rows under shade trees. When the praise music started, it would have raised the roof…IF there were one. Finally, the pastor … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving feasts help IMB missionaries share gospel
LISBON, Portugal – Everyone excitedly crowded around the Thanksgiving feast. The tables overflowed with sweet potato casseroles, cranberry sauce, green bean casseroles, pumpkin and pecan pies. The turkey was roasted to a perfect, mouthwatering golden hue. Juice rolled down the sides of the meat dish as someone carved. It was picture perfect. Phones immediately came out of pockets to document this not-so-traditional feast in Lisbon, Portugal. For most, it was their first time experiencing … [Read more...]
People group in nation of Mozambique no longer unengaged with the gospel
MOZAMBIQUE (IMB) – Last year there were few-to-no followers of Christ among the Manyika of Mozambique. This past July, a group of four bowed their heads and prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. Their eyes shone bright with hope. Their smiles unending because their eternity was forever changed. They joined seven others living in this remote interior strip of Mozambique to make this decision in the last few months. International Mission Board missionaries Ryan and Aubrey Curry rejoiced … [Read more...]
Missionary task passes down three generations
EDITOR'S NOTE: Join IMB in celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with stories of those who have answered God’s call to the nations. Crawly things moved all over the rancid slab of off-colored meat. The village leader reverently handed it to the visiting missionary, motioning for him to eat. If the missionary ate the entire thing, he would be granted access to the village and allowed to share about Jesus’ saving grace. Henry Phan watched in amazement as his father … [Read more...]
Factory or horseback, bivocational pastor thrives
EDITOR'S NOTE: Several keys for effective bivocational ministry follow this story. AUGUSTA, Kan. (BP) -- Each workstation is a flurry of activity. Plastic bottles stream down the conveyer belts. Hands reach out to adjust each bottle to face the same direction before they go to plastic wrap. Across the floor, someone shouts above the rickety-racket to shut down one of the machines and reload. Don Mayberry walks through the factory's maze of machines and activity, stopping to talk to … [Read more...]