CENTRAL ASIA – Praying in the local language is one of the hardest things I’ve done on the mission field. My face has flushed hot with embarrassment as I trip over grammar and falter over each word. I can’t count how many times I’ve wondered if any of the spiritual words I’m stringing together in prayer make sense. But I’m convinced praying in the local language is one of the most important things I’ve done. I recently visited my neighbor who had just celebrated her 98th birthday. She … [Read more...]
IMB’s Chitwood: ‘Your state convention helps churches reach your state, our world for Christ’
EDITOR'S NOTE: Paul Chitwood serves as president of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board. To learn about the Missouri Baptist Convention's state missions offering, visit https://mobaptist.org/mmo/. To learn about the Cooperative Program, visit https://mobaptist.org/cp. My first international mission trip took place on a farm in central Kentucky. As a new pastor in the community, I found myself interacting often with migrant workers from Central and South … [Read more...]
IMB workers pray for more baptisms of believers they don’t know
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is written by Caroline Anderson, a writer who serves with IMB in Central Asia. SOUTHEAST ASIA—William and Nancy Potter,* IMB workers who serve in Southeast Asia, love hearing about baptisms of people they don’t know. News of strangers being baptized means there has been generational growth of Christians in their area. The “generational growth” — people who lead people, who then lead other people, to Christ — first began 18 years ago when they met Ary Keo* … [Read more...]
Reluctant missionary now leading many to Christ in Peru
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is written by Melanie Clinton, a writer for the IMB who lives in Sub-Saharan Africa with her husband and two children. PERU—When Peruvian couple Caleb and Devora Quispe got married, Devora was a new believer. Caleb longed to become a missionary, but Devora preferred to stay home and help run the family sewing business. Caleb strongly believes that when a couple marries, they become one. “What God has put in my heart, he will put in your heart, too,” he … [Read more...]
South Asian believer carries on husband’s ministry legacy
EDITOR'S NOTE: Madeline Arthington, who wrote this article, is a writer who serves with IMB in Central Asia. SOUTH ASIA—Shreya’s* grief is raw. Only a few months ago, her husband was alive. Now he is dead. They were such good partners. They ministered together in their church, where he was a pastor, and in the surrounding villages. She was devoted, always accompanying him in ministry, sitting on floors with poorer women, and making food for guests. But all it took was a day of … [Read more...]
Central Asian believer shows love to the ‘unlovable’
CENTRAL ASIA (IMB) – The Luli Gypsies mainly work as beggars and struggle to rise above prejudice and poverty. They are treated as untouchables by countrymen, even by many believers. But God is at work bringing many to Himself through the efforts of a few who are showing love and acceptance across the cultural barriers. In one city, 40 to 50 Luli came to faith in one year. They quit begging, seek legitimate employment, and have been welcomed into fellowship by local Christians. In … [Read more...]
Deaf Thai ‘ladyboy’ learns to be a man of God
EDITOR'S NOTE: Nicole Leigh, who wrote this article, is a writer for IMB. She lives with her family in Prague. THAILAND—Aroon* was once a ladyboy. In Thai culture, little boys age 2 or 3 who show any inkling towards femininity are labeled a “ladyboy” and raised to believe that even though their outside gender is male, their spirit is female. Ladyboys are never given a choice to be who they want to be. They often struggle to find jobs, and they are treated as less than other men and … [Read more...]
Singer looking for identity shares love she found in Christ
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lucy Campbell, who wrote this article, is a Journeyman serving in Eastern Europe. EUROPE—Tanya* is a ball of energy with laugh lines deeply engraved at the corners of her eyes. She is one of millions living in an Eastern European metropolis, but one of only a few pastors’ wives in her city. A few years ago, she and her husband moved to the city to start their now-thriving church of 30 to 40 members. They are part of a church planting movement of at least six new … [Read more...]
Former heroin addict follows Christ in African fishing village
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lucy Campbell, who wrote this article, is a Journeyman serving in Eastern Europe. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA — “I believe this. I want to be baptized.” Mark* was just one of the men recovering from heroin addiction at “The Well,” a rehabilitation center founded by Southern Baptist missionaries. His new start in recovery led to his new beginning in eternal life. Located inside a concrete building formerly frequented by heroin addicts, “The Well” serves those who live in the … [Read more...]
New church in Taiwan a testimony to the power of prayer
TAIWAN—Ming Wei* is a firm believer in the power of prayer. Eight years ago, when she moved back to her husband’s hometown, she began to pray for the opportunity to make a difference in this dark part of Taiwan. This town of 50,000 has only two Christian churches but is home to countless temples. Two years later, the opportunity to work with children provided the perfect chance. Wei and others taught Bible stories and songs and held camps and other activities to share Jesus’ love with … [Read more...]
Missouri churches invested in new missionaries
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two men baptized in Missouri churches were among 26 new missionaries appointed by the International Mission Board during a sending celebration at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, June 12. Lev Fields*, along with his wife Elsie* and their daughter, will be serving in Northern Africa and the Middle East with the IMB. Although they were sent by a church in North Carolina, Lev was baptized in Missouri. He and Elsie shared with Southern Baptist messengers … [Read more...]
Paul Chitwood elected unanimously as IMB president
ROCKVILLE, Va. (BP) – About a decade ago, Paul Chitwood became convinced God was calling him to mobilize missions and missionaries, he told International Mission Board trustees. That call culminated today (Nov. 15), he said, with his election as president of the International Mission Board. "Being a member of this board for eight years changed my ministry and it changed my life, so much so that [my wife] Michelle and I questioned whether God had called us to overseas missions," Chitwood, … [Read more...]
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