ROMANIA (IMB) – Thirty years was a long time to wait for help. Yet, the Romanian pastor had faithfully prayed since he was 8 years old for someone to come alongside him to serve and love his people. Meanwhile, Jan McMurphy sat in Olive Branch, Mississippi, wrestling with God about an “itch” for the mission field she couldn’t shake. For 16 years she served on short-term medical mission teams with other Mississippi Baptists. The last few years she brought her church, Longview Heights … [Read more...]
Fusion, IMB partner for 20 years
Program equips young adults, students for lifetime of missional living KANSAS CITY (IMB) – A 20-year partnership between the International Mission Board and Fusion, a missions program from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College in Kansas City, Mo., has helped students live a missional life. The two entities are excited to see this relationship grow even more in the years to come. Erik Odegard, Fusion director and assistant professor of intercultural studies, … [Read more...]
New missionaries train to research, seek unengaged peoples
EDITOR'S NOTE: You can be an active part of the Project 3000 journey and keep up with all the missionary explorers. Sign up to be a virtual explorer. You’ll get to follow along with us as we see every people group found and known. We’ll pass on urgent prayer requests and other ways you can support and join the work. RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – Morgan Walker looked around the room of missionary candidates in awe. When she surrendered her life to Jesus a few years ago, she didn’t know anything … [Read more...]
Leland Webb, pioneer of global missions storytelling, dies at 91
RICHMOND, Va. (IMB) – A pioneer in advocating and sharing stories of God working around the world died Jan. 8, 2024. Leland Franklin Webb, 91, was a writer and editor at the International Mission Board for 32 years. While his name may not sound familiar to some, Webb helped change the face of modern Christian media. He helped usher in the era of popular techniques to tell the stories of IMB missionaries and their ministry. His most noted work was as editor of The Commission magazine, an … [Read more...]
Virtual reality reaches lost through innovation
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. OSAKA, Japan (IMB) – Michaela Knippers grabs the bulky virtual reality goggles off the desk and tightens them onto her head. Her husband, Justin, is already strapped in and … [Read more...]
Single missionary uses mother’s heart to minister in Thailand
THAILAND (IMB) – The new college student stared at his class schedule, then looked over at the woman he calls “Mom” with an excited smile. International Mission Board missionary Angela Dawson could feel Skye’s pride of being the first person in his family to go to college. She looked at the college freshman in his new uniform and did what all mothers do on the first day of school — take a million pictures. While Skye couldn’t stop smiling, Dawson saw the nerves and doubt brewing under … [Read more...]
‘This is really, really important’: 6-year-old issues missions offering challenge
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...]