More than 300 healthcare professionals and church leaders gathered at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, from August 13 to 15 for MedAdvance 2026. Organized by the International Mission Board, the three-day conference aimed to help attendees integrate medical expertise with gospel ministry. IMB President Paul Chitwood and other leaders emphasized compassion and spiritual engagement during plenary sessions and workshops. Participants included medical students, missionaries, and volunteers who connected with field personnel serving in over 80 countries. The event concluded with attendees making commitments to support global missions through prayer, short-term trips, or long-term service. According to organizers, the gathering fostered meaningful relationships between those in healthcare and those on the mission field.
A missionary from the United States is leading a pig-raising initiative in Colombia to support Indigenous churches. Following a recent earthquake, the project aims to provide practical aid and biblical stewardship training. The missionary helps local believers manage livestock to generate income for ministry expenses. The program involves several locations, where churches receive pigs and training in sustainable care. This effort strengthens church autonomy and facilitates gospel sharing in remote areas. The missionary emphasizes adapting American agricultural methods to local contexts while teaching stewardship principles. The initiative seeks to empower communities to sustain these efforts independently after her term ends.
Deaf Pathway Global, a partnership between the International Mission Board and Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church, has completed a translation of the Book of Esther into seven sign languages. The organization utilizes a method called 'sign roots' to create a shared visual foundation for translation teams in countries including the US, Senegal, and the Philippines. Nick Jungheim, the DPG president, explains that this cooperative approach allows multiple teams to work simultaneously, significantly accelerating the process compared to traditional models. The project aims to provide faster access to Scripture for Deaf communities worldwide, with a new Filipino team launching in 2026.
The International Mission Board reports that college students served as Summer Sojourners in Peru and Mexico during an eight-week program. In Lima, Emma Kate Taylor used a whiteboard to invite conversations, leading to a student named Mateo accepting Christianity on the final day. In Mexico, participant Lee Lawson prayed in an alley and shared the gospel with intoxicated men, resulting in two men seeking further instruction. The IMB states these young adults also supported local churches in Argentina and mentored missionary children. The organization highlights the spiritual impact and lasting relationships formed during the mission trips across the Americas. (Source: IMB)
Esther Kim, a 64-year-old Southern Baptist missionary for the International Mission Board, died on July 16 in the Philippines. She suffered a heart attack while attending a team meeting and later passed away in a local hospital. Kim and her husband, Joseph, had served as church planters in the country since 2022. The IMB reported that she was known for evangelism and discipling university students. IMB President Paul Chitwood described her as a bright light who shared the gospel in Asia. She is survived by her husband, two sons, and two grandchildren.
International Mission Board missionaries Michael Love and Emmett Grant are serving Central Asian communities in a diverse European city. They recently connected with Aaron, a café owner, who had previously struggled with addiction and explored various religions. After Texas volunteers met Aaron and left a Bible verse, Love and Grant visited his café. Aaron expressed interest in Christianity, and Love agreed to study Scripture with him weekly. Although Love returned to the U.S., Grant continues to mentor Aaron, who has professed faith in Jesus. The missionaries note that discipleship is a slow process, especially as Aaron faces financial difficulties that limit his church attendance. The IMB reports these challenges are common in post-Christian contexts.
Michael Love and his team in Europe used social media ads to engage seekers. A man named Mustafa clicked an ad asking for prayer. The team sent him a Bible and continued online conversations. After a month of silence, Mustafa returned a year later. He stated he wanted to be a Christian. Local believers helped arrange meetings. Love discussed faith and answered questions about Jesus. Mustafa eventually prayed to receive Christ. The story highlights how digital outreach can lead to personal evangelism. Names were changed for security. Elizabeth Ligon wrote the report for the International Mission Board.
Two missionaries for the International Mission Board have lived in the Himalayas for over two decades. They serve primarily Buddhist populations in various countries across the region. The couple shares the Christian gospel while providing practical aid such as health training and disaster relief. They face significant challenges including difficult terrain, unreliable utilities, and cultural resistance. Their work involves building relationships in remote villages where churches are scarce. The IMB reports that their efforts aim to reach unreached people groups in this spiritually dark region.
Missionaries are utilizing physical therapy workshops to facilitate evangelism in Nigeria and Thailand. In Thailand, a missionary trained local church leaders to assist stroke survivors, creating opportunities for prayer and gospel conversations with Buddhist neighbors. In Nigeria, another missionary conducted stroke-care sessions that helped community members recognize symptoms and provide care. The missionaries note that long-term patient relationships allow for consistent discipleship. Additionally, one missionary mentors students at a Christian hospital in Nigeria, integrating faith into clinical training. The organization promotes these methods as effective ways to share the gospel where direct evangelism is restricted.
Southern Baptist missionaries and churches across North America leveraged the 2026 FIFA World Cup to share the gospel. The International Mission Board and North American Mission Board coordinated digital ads, QR-coded materials, and watch parties to engage fans. According to IMB global digital engagement lead Brant Bauman, the campaign generated 3 million ad impressions and resulted in eight professions of faith. The strategy aimed to reach people through cultural events, with volunteers distributing resources and hosting community gatherings in various cities. The effort focused on spiritual conversations rather than just sports viewing.
International Mission Board missionaries from the Asia-Pacific region recently completed a digital engagement training lab. Participants, including Rocky Brewer in Southeast Asia and Madeline Cavanaugh in Japan, learned to use social media for evangelism and discipleship. Brewer aims to reach unreached groups in remote areas with poor infrastructure. Cavanaugh seeks to empower Japanese Christians to share their faith despite cultural stigma. The training covered marketing and website building to help teams sow gospel seeds and build local partnerships. The IMB states these tools assist in cultivating leadership and connecting believers across diverse contexts. The article notes that some names were changed for security reasons.
In Guinea, missionary Tristan Liam continues a discipleship relationship with Vennico, a local believer from an unreached people group. The connection began when another IMB missionary, Rees Morgan, met Vennico on a beach in Conakry. After Morgan returned to the U.S., Liam took over weekly Bible studies and meals. Vennico, the only Christian in his family, faces rejection but remains steadfast. He now leads a neighborhood Bible study and aims to plant a church near the Sierra Leone border. The story highlights sustained mentorship in a predominantly Muslim environment. Names were changed for security, according to the IMB.
Missionaries from the United States traveled to a southern region of Mexico to train local believers in evangelism. Over one week, the team partnered with local Baptist churches to share the gospel, resulting in 22 reported spiritual transformations. The group used tools like the Three Circles method and engaged in community outreach, including visits to a juvenile detention center. According to the missionaries, the efforts led to new conversions and recommitments, such as a souvenir shop owner and a local waiter. The trip highlights ongoing partnerships between U.S. pastors and Mexican congregations to spread the Christian message.
Following two earthquakes on June 24 in Venezuela, Send Relief and Venezuelan Baptist churches have launched emergency response efforts. IMB President Paul Chitwood visited damaged areas in Caracas with Send Relief officials to assess the situation. The group reports a death toll exceeding 3,500 and thousands homeless. Chitwood praised the 75-year partnership with local churches, which enabled rapid deployment of clean water, meals, and shelters. The team witnessed local pastors serving communities despite personal loss. The outlet highlights stories of resilience and new faith commitments among survivors. Chitwood urged continued support for long-term disaster relief.
In northern Africa, missionary Seth Taylor facilitated spiritual discussions with two men, Andrew and Asher, whose lives intersected at work. Andrew, an immigrant, converted to Christianity after experiencing vivid dreams and was baptized in a house church. Asher, raised in a Muslim family, sought tangible proof of faith. Despite the risk of imprisonment or expulsion for sharing the gospel, the two coworkers discussed their beliefs openly. Taylor notes that Andrew is being discipled for leadership, while Asher continues to explore his spiritual needs. The story highlights the dangers of Christian witness in a region where Islam shapes public life.
The International Mission Board is employing digital strategies to spread the Christian message in Southeast Asia. Missionary Stephen Cox and his local team record video testimonies from converts, such as Mary, who left Buddhist traditions. These clips are advertised on social media to encourage direct messaging with local responders. This approach allows for personalized conversations and connects interested individuals with nearby churches. The initiative aims to overcome cultural barriers and family rejection associated with leaving Buddhism. By leveraging mobile technology, the ministry reaches many more people than traditional methods, fostering new believers and church plants in the region.
In the Philippines, Ruth, a 22-year-old believer, joined the International Mission Board's Nehemiah Teams program in 2025 to receive evangelism training. The initiative aims to equip young Filipinos to share the gospel with unreached communities. After completing the training, Ruth returned home and successfully shared her faith with her mother and sister, both of whom converted in 2025 and changed their lifestyles. The April training cohort reached over 2,000 people, resulting in hundreds of conversions. Ruth has since become a student leader, continuing to disciple others while seeking to convert her remaining siblings. The IMB reports these outcomes as evidence of the program's impact on local communities.
Henry Dueck, a missionary emeritus with the International Mission Board, died on March 23, 2026, at the age of 90. Born in Canada, he served in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa for nearly two decades after being appointed in 1984. His ministry began after a teaching stint in Nairobi sparked his desire for missionary work. He is survived by his wife, Ila-Mae. The IMB announced his passing, highlighting his decades of gospel sharing across these African nations.
The International Mission Board addresses five misconceptions regarding its Project 3000 initiative, which sends missionaries to engage the last 3,000 unreached people groups. June Estes, a former explorer, clarifies that the role serves as strong preparation for long-term service rather than a dead end. Contrary to beliefs, work rhythms vary by location, community support exists through hubs, and teams operate in both urban and rural settings. The program emphasizes training local believers to ensure sustainable ministry. Explorers conduct research and build relationships to advance the gospel among unengaged populations across regions including South Asia, Africa, and South America.
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