News Articles by Jerry Rankin

Historians identify William Carey's departure for India in 1793 as launching the modern missionary movement. But most would acknowledge that more has been accomplished in global missions following World War II than in the previous one hundred and fifty years. However, with the disintegration of the communist power block in the last decade of the […]

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--I am still overwhelmed with joy and praise to God as I think of Southern Baptists giving $136.2 million to the 2003 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. It represents the largest dollar increase in the offering’s 115-year history. But more importantly, it enabled the International Mission Board to appoint more missionaries to impact a lost world with the Gospel.

I am still overwhelmed with joy and praise to God as I think of Southern Baptists giving $136.2 million to the 2003 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. It represents the largest dollar increase in the offering's 115-year history. But more importantly, it enabled the International Mission Board to appoint more missionaries to impact a lost world with the gospel. Thank you, Southern Baptists! You felt God's desire for every soul to know Him and give Him the honor He is due. You were distressed that qualified missionaries were being held back for lack of finances. And you responded with a vision and passion only God's Spirit can inspire! We are especially grateful to Woman's Missionary Union for their wholehearted partnership in encouraging Southern Baptists to step up to this tremendous challenge.

Last year, International Mission Board personnel initiated work among 146 new people groups identified as "unreached." Multitudes gained access to the gospel for the first time. Church-planting movements are taking off in China, Latin America, and even Northern Africa. So many people came to Christ in one African city that mosques had to close. One […]

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Last year, International Mission Board personnel initiated work among 146 new people groups identified as "unreached." Multitudes gained access to the Gospel for the first time.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--The vision of Empowering Kingdom Growth has begun to capture the attention and commitment of Southern Baptists. Whatever we do in our personal lives and church-related ministries, the reign of Jesus Christ and His Lordship should be apparent.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Asking Southern Baptist missionaries who serve with the International Mission Board to affirm that their work and personal convictions are compatible with what their sponsoring denomination believes has been an interesting process. It was not unexpected that many among our Southern Baptist constituency who do not agree with the leadership and conservative direction of the SBC -- as well as those who are in disagreement with the faith statement itself -- would disagree with this initiative.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--I'm Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board. We want to thank you for joining us this morning. The International Mission Board has been serving as the mission agency for the Southern Baptist Convention since 1845. We are one of the largest evangelical mission agencies in the world with 5,487 personnel serving in 184 countries.

Occasionally someone has asked me, "What is the passion of your life?" I could readily articulate my sense of purpose or what I perceived to be God's will for my life. I could talk about my personal desires, dreams and visions, but this question gave me pause. I am passionate about my family. Occasionally I […]