Julie McGowan

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- The International Mission Board's Technology Solutions leader announced a new structure designed to more wisely leverage technology for the accomplishment of the entity's mission during a board-wide town hall meeting Thursday (March 2). The reorganization of the information technology team is designed to achieve a higher level of services and enhance security for Southern Baptist international missionaries, IMB leadership announced. The decision was driven by a shift to the cloud (off-site data storage) and other industry-wide technology changes, which fundamentally allow users to accomplish more with fewer resources.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- Bob and Melanee Gallina invested 18 years in leading The Church at Green Hills in La Habra, Calif. They lived in a comfortable house that was a home base for their children, who are missionaries overseas. After retirement, the couple noted, they planned to serve overseas themselves. But then they felt God prompting them to consider, "Why wait until you retire? Why not now?" Now the church they once led is sending them through the International Mission Board to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to American peoples.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- International Mission Board trustees celebrated a balanced budget, unanimously approving the 2017 budget during their Nov. 10-11 meeting near Richmond, Va. Trustees also appointed 50 new missionaries during a Sending Celebration. "I am pleased to share with you that because of generous giving from Southern Baptist churches to the IMB, disciples have been made and churches have been multiplied over the last year among the nations in truly breathtaking ways," IMB President David Platt told trustees.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- With white knuckles, Laekan Carter gripped the pew. She listened with her then-11-year-old ears when a college student shared how God was at work while he was on mission in Africa. "One day you will walk those dusty dirt roads," Carter felt God promise her. Years later, in fulfillment of that promise, Carter is being sent by her church, Calvary Baptist in New Orleans, to train college students to share the Gospel in Sub-Saharan Africa.

RICHMOND, Va. -- International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 27 new missionaries, welcomed 11 new board members, and announced a vice president of mobilization during their board meeting Aug. 23-24 near Richmond, Va. Trustees also welcomed a visit from Steve Gaines, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, who serves as an ex-officio member of the board in his SBC role. Gaines is pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn.

ST. LOUIS (BP) -- There is one core imperative -- one command -- in the Great Commission: to make disciples. In light of that, "What does it mean to make disciples?" Zane Pratt, IMB vice president of training, asked during the Fellowship of Baptist World Ministries' annual breakfast June 13. Many people have memorized the King James rendering of the Great Commission, which reads, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations," which Pratt said has led to the idea that discipleship is primarily conveying information, a method that fits with the way the American education system works.

ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Highlighting the partnership between Southern Baptists across North America and around the world to spread the Gospel and plant churches, the Southern Baptist Convention's two mission entities held a "Sending Celebration" at the conclusion of the SBC's annual meeting Wednesday (June 15) in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS (BP) -- For more than 170 years, God has blessed the International Mission Board for the spread of the Gospel among the nations -- and by God's grace, 170 years later, the IMB is "standing strong," IMB President David Platt reported to Southern Baptist Convention messengers June 15. "I am confident that not every one of [those years] has been easy," Platt said. "But that's the beauty of Proverbs 3:5-6. As Southern Baptists have trusted in God, as Southern Baptists have acknowledged Him year after year, God has made our paths straight for the spread of His glory among the nations."

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- Southern Baptists provided resounding support through the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Finalized in early June, the 2015 Lottie Moon offering totaled $165.8 million -- the highest total in the 127-year history of the offering. The offering surpassed the previous all-time record of $154 million in 2013 by $11.8 million. The 2014 Lottie Moon offering totaled just over $153 million.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- The International Mission Board is ready to move forward into a future of partnership with churches that empowers limitless missionary teams who are making disciples and multiplying churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God, International Mission Board President David Platt told the agency's trustees May 11. In addition to hearing this vision for the future, IMB trustees also approved the appointment of 29 new missionaries; recognized the longtime service of two faithful missions servants as they retire; and elected new officers during their May 9-11 meeting near Richmond, Va.