News Articles by Sue Sprenkle

Riding home on the subway, Patrick Stein casually looked around at fellow passengers. Two things stood out. First, as a 50-something, he was probably one of the oldest commuters. The median age in this North African city was 26. Second, everyone had earbuds and stared at their phones, each person in their own private world.

Lonely. Desperate. Drunk. Anxiety-ridden. It was a life Michaela knew all too well. Growing up she watched family members travel the exact road she was on. She wanted an escape.

Sticky notes plastered to the wall represented all the ways summer volunteers will embark on the missionary task in the next few weeks and months. The handwritten notes ranged from hiking to remote villages that have never heard Jesus’ name to teaching English using Bible stories at public schools.

DAVIS, Okla. (BP) – The new interactive Missions Trail at Falls Creek Conference Center officially opened May 10 with 50 people bowing their heads in prayer. Attendees gathered at the trailhead and asked God to work in the lives of tens of thousands of students who will trek through Falls Creek’s Centennial Garden this summer. They also thanked God for a unique partnership that brought this missions trail to life.

Rest. It’s a four-letter word. There’s no rest in war. There’s no rest amid the missiles and gunfire that have plagued Ukraine for the past year.

SUMTER, S.C. (BP) – The 80-year-old man crawls halfway into the green trash bin, feet barely touching the ground. He rummages through discarded bags. Not hearing the familiar jingle of tin and aluminum cans, Dave Joslin pulls his head out and motions for his dog to move on.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 46 new full-time, fully funded missionaries, while also honoring the service of 87 missionaries and staff during their Feb. 1-2 meeting.

It was an emotional night for Coats Baptist Church from Coats, N.C. Fifty church members barely held back whoops of joy as “their” missionaries took the stage at the Feb. 1 International Mission Board’s Sending Celebration near Richmond, Va. Moments later, they silently wiped tears as they gathered around Bradley and Ember Wilkie to pray. 

Otis Newman opened the door and stared at the empty refrigerator. The kids rifled through the cabinets next to him. The family ate everything except dried goods before leaving for vacation.

It was picture perfect. Phones immediately came out of pockets to document this not-so-traditional feast in Lisbon, Portugal. For most, it was their first time experiencing an American Thanksgiving outside of watching a movie. It was also the first time for some to hear what the hosts of the feast were most thankful for — Jesus’ saving grace.