Trustees appoint 89 missionaries, adopt personnel measures
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (BP)--International Mission Board trustees voted to appoint 89 new missionaries during their Nov. 14-17 meeting in Huntsville, Ala., and learned that Southern Baptists last year took the Gospel to 137 previously unengaged people groups and planted the first evangelical Baptist churches among 14 of those groups that had no evangelical work.
Rankin to new missionaries: God wants people ‘to be set free’
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| Proceeding in prayer Billy Hudgins from Alabama, an International Mission Board trustee, prays to close out the IMB's missionary appointment service in the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala. The service saw 89 new missionaries appointed in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. |
“All peoples of the world can be free from the sin and despair and the bondage and the spiritual darkness in which they are enslaved,” Rankin declared. “And you are going to speak to the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ to nations all over the world. God wants them to be set free.”
Challenges, growth in Africa seen during IMB leaders’ visit
PENSACOLA, Fla. (BP)--The International Mission Board's top leaders reminded trustees during their meeting Sept. 13-14 in Pensacola, Fla., that change in the discouraging and devastating environment of suffering in Africa will happen only when the Gospel changes the hearts of people and Jesus is acknowledged as Lord.
IMB trustees focus on West Africa; ratify Tom Elliff as senior VP
PENSACOLA, Fla. (BP)--Against the backdrop of relief efforts from Hurricane Katrina, trustees of the International Mission Board met Sept. 13-14 in Pensacola, Fla., to learn how missionaries seek to reach West Africa's unreached people groups, appoint 86 new missionaries and ratify the selection of Tom Elliff as senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations.
Elliff nominated as IMB v.p. to nurture missionaries, churches
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| Return to missions Tom Elliff and his wife, Jeannie, will “join the IMB team,” mission board President Jerry Rankin has announced. Elliff, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Del City, Okla., will be senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations, pending trustee approval. |
In his new role, Elliff, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Del City, Okla., will teach and nurture missionaries, mentor IMB staff and relate to Southern Baptist pastors and churches. Elliff told the Del City congregation Aug. 7 of his decision to resign the pastorate and join the IMB leadership team. Board trustees will officially ratify his selection during their Sept. 12-14 meeting in Pensacola, Fla.
Recovering IMB aid worker looking for new ways to serve God
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A Southern Baptist humanitarian aid worker critically injured in Iraq said she has been "recovering physically and learning how to live with grief" since her husband and three other workers under the auspices of the International Mission Board were killed in a March 2004 attack.
Tsunami relief reflects potential of united effort, Rankin says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Southern Baptists have given more than $16 million to tsunami relief, International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin told messengers June 21 during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
National WMU unveils new website for collegiate women
INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--A new website designed specifically for collegiate-aged young women will be launched Aug. 1, a workshop leader told participants in the "Collegiate Connection" session during the national Woman's Missionary Union Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting in Indianapolis June 13-14.
‘Olympics junkie’ urges WMU to join in Olympics ministry
INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--Beth Ann Williams of Salt Lake City, Utah, told Woman's Missionary Union participants at the Missions Celebration and National WMU Annual Meeting June 13 that she is an "Olympics junkie" and encouraged Baptist women across the United States to get involved in Olympics ministry.
Literacy video leads volunteer to life-changing commitment
INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--A literacy missions video shown at the national Woman's Missionary Union annual meeting in 1992 had such a life-changing effect on Rebecca Carnell that she returned to Eubank, Ky., determined to do whatever it took to get involved personally in that ministry.
