Mike Ebert

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Trustees for the North American Mission Board (NAMB) heard reports of how missionaries and staff are meeting needs and responding to crises amid the global COVID-19 pandemic in an online meeting Monday (June 8). "We are not downshifting," NAMB president Kevin Ezell told trustees, speaking from NAMB's offices during the meeting, which was held virtually because of travel and social distancing limitations triggered by the pandemic. "As other people are running away from crisis, our missionaries are not downshifting. They are moving forward."

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- The North American Mission Board (NAMB) is implementing a series of budgetary freezes and cutbacks designed to keep missionaries on the field during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. NAMB president Kevin Ezell shared information Thursday (March 19) with staff and missionaries on a video conference call and in emails to state convention leaders and other mission partners.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (BP) -- Kevin Ezell, el presidente de la Junta de Misiones Norteamericanas (NAMB) compartió una serie de metas a cinco años, incluyendo aumentar a más del doble la cantidad de centros de ministerio Send Relief que hay por toda América del Norte. "Nuestra meta," dijo Ezell a la mesa directiva de fideicomisarios de la NAMB esta semana, "es añadir por lo menos 13 centros más para el 2025 para así tener 20."

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (BP) -- North American Mission Board (NAMB) president Kevin Ezell shared a series of five-year goals, including more than doubling the entity's number of Send Relief ministry centers throughout North America. "Our goal," Ezell told NAMB's board of trustees this week, "is to add at least 13 more by 2025 so we can have 20."

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Shane Pruitt, an evangelist, Bible teacher and director of evangelism for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, has been named director of next gen (generation) evangelism for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). "My prayer is to see a movement of God and a revival among students," Pruitt said. "I want to continue to preach to the next generation and help churches think through how to reach them."

SAN FRANCISCO (BP) -- North American Mission Board trustees gathered for their annual fall meeting Oct. 7-8 with much to celebrate as Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, announced to the group that Southern Baptists had given $61.4 million to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 2019. It marked an all-time high for the offering and the third consecutive year to break a record. "We are so very, very grateful for that," NAMB President Kevin Ezell told trustees the day after the announcement. "Please, every time you talk to a pastor, let them know how grateful we are. The church planting missionaries who were with us last night were very grateful for how we are investing in them, and I told them that is only possible because of the Annie Armstrong offering."

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- In his first visit to the North American Mission Board in his new role as president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, Ronnie Floyd challenged staff members to "champion unashamedly the sharing of the Gospel with America." "You have a great opportunity to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- and to lead us to do it -- to every person, every town, every city, every state all across this nation," Floyd said. "And when you touch this nation, and obviously Canada, you're going to touch the rest of the world."

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- North American Mission Board (NAMB) trustees met May 20-21 at NAMB's building in Alpharetta, Ga., highlighting their visit with a Monday night dinner honoring Southern Baptist chaplains and the faithfulness with which they carry out their ministry. "We love our missionaries and chaplains," Ezell said. "I am grateful for the sacrifices you make and how you take the Gospel to those who need it."

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BP) -- North American Mission Board (NAMB) trustees meeting in South Florida this week saw first-hand the impact a sending church can have on its community. They also heard a challenge to be personally involved in NAMB's new "Who's Your One?" evangelism initiative. "Could I ask each one of you as pastors and church members to start praying right now about your one?" Johnny Hunt asked at dinner Monday evening (Feb. 4). "If we are going to turn around evangelism trends in the SBC, I believe it is going to happen one person at a time." Hunt serves as NAMB's senior vice president of evangelism and leadership. The trustee gathering took place Feb. 4-5 in West Palm Beach, Fla., with an emphasis on the Gospel need and ministry that is taking place across South Florida.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (BP) -- Once members of the news media journey to Sutherland Springs, Texas, many leave with something unexpected after spending time with First Baptist Church pastor Frank Pomeroy and the congregation, which lost 26 people in a mass shooting attack one year ago. "Out of all the shootings I have covered," one reporter recently told Pomeroy, "you are the only ones who are smiling, thriving and moving forward." To be sure, there are still many tough days. Sometimes tears come at unexpected moments. ...