MADAGASCAR – In the last ten years, believers in southwest Madagascar have crafted over 100 local dialect Bible stories that are now told over the radio each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Missionaries secured a weekly 20-minute radio segment for the stories when COVID-19 prevented churches from meeting in person. Antonny, one of the local pastors, receives texts after the stories play. More than 15 people have contacted him asking about salvation, discipleship opportunities, local … [Read more...]
Missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa commit to reach 55 people groups in five years
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – While more Christians live in Sub-Saharan Africa than in any area of the world, 27,000 people in the region die every day without knowing Christ. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the fastest-growing populations in the world and one of the highest rates of child mortality. Many people groups in Sub-Saharan Africa have no gospel presence and no knowledge of Christ. IMB leadership in the region set a goal to start ministering among 55 unreached people groups. The ministry … [Read more...]
Lottie Moon offering exceeds goal at $159.5 million
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – The International Mission Board is reporting a 2019-20 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering total of $159.5 million, the second highest offering in history. This total exceeds by $4.5 million the 175-year-old organization’s budgeted goal of $155 million. IMB also received $97.2 million from the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program for 2019-20. “I’m thrilled to report that the Lottie offering is growing again,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “A growing Lottie … [Read more...]
IMB workers in Northern Africa and Middle East say prayer initiative ‘begins with us’
NORTH AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST – In 2012, a church in Texas committed to pray for an unengaged people group in Northern Africa. They knew they would not have access to much, if any, information or updates but they remained committed to pray. Several Christian workers in the Northern Africa region were also burdened to pray for this same people group. In 2015, through a series of events and connections that only God can orchestrate, the gospel was taken to this group by believers from other people … [Read more...]
Baptists known for excellent medical care in Indonesia
INDONESIA (IMB) – Southern Baptists have a long history in medical missions and have continued to bring hope and healing during the COVID-19 crisis. Field workers around the world use hospitals and clinics as ministry centers to serve communities and offer physical and spiritual healthcare. In 1957, three Southern Baptist representatives—nurses Ruth Ford, Everly Hayes and Dr. Kathleen Jones—founded Kediri Baptist Hospital in the city of Kediri on the island of Java in Indonesia. In 1972, … [Read more...]
Persian refugee pastors grow in faithful teaching and partnership
CENTRAL ASIA – How can a persecuted believer trust again after being betrayed by those closest to him? How can a person rightly understand suffering when his culture is awash in prosperity gospel teaching? How can a pastor carry the weight of leading when he doesn’t know how to study Scripture? These are challenges that Christian workers Mary and Andrew Flint* face every day as they seek to encourage growth among Persian refugee churches. Recently as they reflected on the first half of … [Read more...]
Retirees continue to train leaders in South Asia and Latin America
DICKSON, Tenn. – Derick and Celia Cobb* traveled from Tennessee to South Asia to Latin America, training local leaders who would, in turn, train others. The retirees have made multiple trips as volunteers to partner with Chase and Rita Tozer*, IMB workers in South Asia. The Cobbs’ history with the IMB began long before their involvement in South Asia. In the 1970s, they served in the Philippines before returning to their home church, First Baptist Dickson in Dickson, Tennessee. The Cobbs … [Read more...]
Former volunteer, 91, encouraged by connection to IMB worker
LILBOURN (IMB) – The two men would seem to have little in common. Semi-retired farmer Donald “Frog” Schaffer, 91, lives on a farm outside Lilbourn, Mo., population roughly 1,000. IMB worker Patrick Marsh*, 39, lives and serves in a large city overseas with a population of more than 20 million. But the two men were drawn together recently by a shared faith and a common concern for people living in Russia. For Schaffer, the concern dates to the mid-1990s, when he read that the … [Read more...]
Global Hunger Relief supports Southern Baptist hunger ministries worldwide
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – As COVID-19 travels around the globe, it has created a food crisis for much of the developing world. Spread of the disease and the ensuing lockdowns affected supply chains as well as humanitarian support according to a report from WORLD Magazine. In South Asia, economic shutdowns hit day-laborers in the suburbs between major cities and rural towns especially hard. Most of their job opportunities – as drivers, construction workers and custodians – were put on hold, … [Read more...]
IMB, Barna Group discuss engagement of next generation in global missions
RICHMOND, Va. – The International Mission Board joined with Barna Group for an online workshop titled The Future of Missions. The workshop, hosted virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 2, included IMB President Paul Chitwood, IMB staff and Barna Group representatives. Close to 1,000 people joined the online event from around the world. The workshop followed a joint report produced this year to help those guiding the next generation toward a commitment to global missions. Recognizing the … [Read more...]
Baptists known for excellence in medical care in Indonesia
INDONESIA – Southern Baptists have a long history in medical missions and have continued to bring hope and healing during the COVID-19 crisis. Field workers around the world use hospitals and clinics as ministry centers to serve communities and offer physical and spiritual healthcare. In 1957, three Southern Baptist representatives—nurses Ruth Ford, Everly Hayes and Dr. Kathleen Jones—founded Kediri Baptist Hospital in the city of Kediri on the island of Java in Indonesia. In 1972, … [Read more...]
Central Asian woman rejects fortune telling, chooses faith
CENTRAL ASIA – Anim* remembers the day when an old fortune teller told her mother that Anim had the gift of sight. “My mother and my grandmother were both fortune tellers,” she said, “so my mom wasn’t surprised when the gypsy confirmed it.” What did surprise her was the old woman’s declaration that Anim would pay a high price for this gift if she wanted it. The fortune teller said that if she continued to use this gift, it would cost Anim the life of someone she loved. Her mother … [Read more...]
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