Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, addressed Southern Baptist Convention messengers in Orlando, US, during the annual meeting. He thanked supporters for funding the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, noting that 51% of the budget goes to the IMB. Chitwood highlighted that missionary attrition is only 5% due to this support, compared to 50% elsewhere. He shared statistics from the 2025 Annual Statistical Report, including nearly 200,000 new believers and over 7,600 churches planted. He also emphasized the critical role of security systems in protecting missionaries from global threats, urging continued generosity to sustain the mission. (Source: IMB)
Southern Baptists commissioned 63 new International Mission Board missionaries during the June 9 opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. IMB President Paul Chitwood announced a significant increase in missionary candidates, describing the pipeline as 'exploding.' The event featured testimonies from appointees heading to locations including Spain, Japan, and Brazil. Some missionaries serving in hostile regions remained anonymous due to security concerns. The new appointees join over 3,500 existing IMB missionaries serving in 155 countries. The sending churches support these efforts through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
The International Mission Board reports that its digital engagement teams in the Asia-Pacific region reached thousands of people during Ramadan, which ran from mid-February to mid-March. Teams used social media to share Christian messages, resulting in over 5,500 interactions. Four individuals professed faith in Christ, while many others continued conversations. The work faced opposition but also saw significant interest, particularly among women in one context. Steve Hamilton, who works with digital engagement for the IMB, highlighted the patience required in these efforts. The organization notes that these digital campaigns provide gospel access where physical presence is limited.
The International Mission Board appointed 71 new missionaries during its May 13-14 meeting near Richmond, Virginia. During the gathering, Tony Wolfe of the South Carolina Baptist Convention presented a $1 million gift to fund housing renovations at the International Learning Center in Rockville, Virginia. IMB President Paul Chitwood reported that Southern Baptist missionary efforts reached over 2 million people in 2025, resulting in nearly 200,000 professed faiths. The board also discussed efficiency gains, AI tools for evangelism, and a $23.8 million renovation plan for the training campus. New officers were elected to lead the organization through 2027.
The International Mission Board gathered near Richmond, Virginia, from May 3 to 7 to celebrate 56 new emeriti missionaries. These individuals represent a combined 1,452 years of service across 48 countries, with many serving over three decades. IMB President Paul Chitwood led the May 6 service, honoring the retirees' dedication. The event included testimonies from couples who served in regions such as Belgium, South Africa, Mexico, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The retired missionaries shared guidance and insights to support the next generation of gospel workers currently in training. The gathering aimed to recognize their global impact and provide encouragement for future mission efforts.
The International Mission Board showcased the daily lives of missionaries Cal and Erin Hiebsch in Poland during a dinner event in Orlando on June 8. Held alongside the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, the gathering emphasized sustained gospel presence. IMB leaders, including President Paul Chitwood and Executive Vice President Todd Lafferty, stressed that long-term commitment allows missionaries to build trust, learn languages, and develop local leaders. The event highlighted how continued financial support enables families to remain in regions like Poland for years, fostering deep community roots and multiplying evangelism efforts through local believers rather than short-term visits.
International Mission Board missionaries Emilio and Hannah Marrero have relocated from San Sebastian to Madrid, Spain. The couple, who previously established a thriving church in San Sebastian, now oversee church-planting efforts across the Iberian Peninsula. They provide direction to other missionaries and lead community meet-up groups in Madrid to foster gospel conversations. The Marreros report growing openness to the Christian message in the region and are focusing on training local partners. Their ministry includes culturally relevant outreach, such as artwork and music, aiming to equip believers and expand the church presence throughout Spain. (Source: IMB)
Lauren Hou, a missionary kid who grew up overseas, has returned to Japan to serve with the International Mission Board in Tokyo. After spending nearly twelve years in the United States for university and seminary training, she moved to Japan about a year ago. Hou, whose sending church is Redeemer Baptist Church in Riverside, California, seeks to serve among unreached people groups. She is currently attending language school and building relationships with locals, including a non-believing university student, to better understand casual speech and prepare to share the gospel in Japan. The IMB reports that evangelicals make up only 0.55% of the Japanese population.
Two missionaries with the International Mission Board were abruptly forced to leave a region in Central Asia due to sudden visa sanctions. The couple had spent years serving in remote provinces across several countries, distributing Bibles and encouraging local believers. Although their work was cut short, the IMB reports that the crisis accelerated the development of national leadership. Local partners have since taken over outreach efforts, equipping indigenous deacons to continue shepherding converts. The missionaries now serve immigrants in the United States, applying their cross-cultural experience to new ministry contexts. Some names were changed for security reasons.
Wade and Sharon Sigrest, missionaries with the International Mission Board, have served among the Cebu Cebuanos in the Philippines for over 25 years. Based in Cebu, they lead Send Relief projects, conduct Bible studies, and train local church leaders. The couple travels by boat and car to reach communities on nearby islands, facing logistical challenges and spiritual opposition. According to the article, they focus on discipleship, church planting, and addressing both physical and spiritual needs in a region with many low-income residents. Their work includes administrative support, prayer advocacy, and mentoring national partners in theology and outreach.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Fran Jacquier on UnsplashGood news
International Mission Board missionary Eleanor James met a woman named Faith at an airport baggage claim. Faith, a Muslim woman from the Middle East, initiated a conversation after noticing James's baby. The two exchanged contact information and began meeting regularly for coffee. During their discussions, James shared the Christian gospel with Faith, who stated it was the first time she had heard these teachings. James gifted Faith an Arabic New Testament. Although Faith avoids discussing Jesus's death and resurrection, she has expressed gratitude for learning about Jesus and continues to maintain contact through texts and calls. The IMB notes that building trust with Muslims often takes years.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Aaron Burden on UnsplashGood news
The International Mission Board has released a new course and companion book titled Blueprint for students, young adults, and ministry leaders. Developed by Jennie Hatchel and Andy Pettigrew, the resource aims to help participants understand the Bible as a unified story of God's global mission. The material covers three central themes: God’s Mission, God’s Method, and God’s Invitation. It is designed for use in churches and small groups to encourage practical application of biblical theology. The IMB states the tool seeks to equip believers to engage in the Great Commission and disciple the next generation toward faithful participation in reaching unreached people groups worldwide.
Daniel and Heather Bates, missionaries from the International Mission Board, relocated to Ljubljana, Slovenia, from North Carolina. Struggling with language barriers, Daniel discovered a local game store that provided an immediate social connection. He joined a hybrid gaming group that meets in person and communicates via Discord. This platform allowed the couple to build authentic relationships with young adults who often view Protestant churches with suspicion. By hosting game nights at local churches, the Bateses help overcome cultural stigma and create opportunities to share their faith. The outlet reports that this approach helps reach a demographic that might otherwise avoid religious institutions.
Josh Cobb, an International Mission Board missionary and physician assistant, highlights the growing isolation of seniors in Western Europe, particularly in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. He argues that demographic shifts create an opportunity for healthcare missions to provide practical care and spiritual outreach. Cobb suggests forming teams of health professionals to offer workshops on home safety and caregiver support while engaging elderly individuals in conversation. He aims to integrate elder care into IMB training and partner with existing ministries to address loneliness and share the gospel through compassionate service. The initiative was discussed at the MedAdvance conference in Houston.
A Mixtec musician and former cantor in Mexico was imprisoned for five days after resigning from his role leading Catholic rituals following his conversion to Christianity. According to the International Mission Board, community leaders threatened him to maintain traditional practices, but he remained steadfast. He was eventually released and is now training as a local church leader under IMB missionaries. The group reports that he now preaches and baptizes believers in the Mixtec language. This development supports the missionaries' goal of establishing autonomous local leadership within the growing Mixtec Christian community.
Ricky and PJ Holder, missionaries with the International Mission Board, shared their experiences after completing their first year in Uganda. Arriving in March 2025, the couple focused on language study in northern Uganda while serving the refugee community in Arua. The Holders noted significant shifts in local ministry, including the launch of a Missionary Training Center in November 2025. Seventeen students recently completed the course, with some already entering mission fields. The team aims to equip Africans to lead their own churches and reach unreached people groups in the region.
The International Mission Board and Brazilian Junta de Missões Mundiais launched the Immersion Mission School in Lisbon, Portugal, to equip missionaries for cross-cultural service. Held in April and October 2025, the program trains participants from Brazil, Europe, and other regions in church-planting and evangelism. Portuguese missionary Rebeca Couto, who attended the training, is preparing to serve in Japan while also equipping others in the Azores. The initiative addresses isolation among missionaries and has resulted in new gospel conversations, baptisms, and training sessions across multiple countries, including Spain and Finland. The school aims to recruit and prepare global partners for effective ministry in unreached areas. (Source: IMB)
Mission workers and local partners conduct women’s health trainings in remote Himalayan villages across Nepal and India. The initiative addresses healthcare and hygiene access by teaching breast cancer self-exams and menstrual health. These sessions allow believers to build relationships and share the gospel with isolated communities. The trainings help women gather for fellowship while providing practical resources. The team uses these interactions to disciple local believers and proclaim Christian teachings to those who previously lacked such access, fostering spiritual growth in regions with limited Christian presence.
A state Baptist convention in the United States is collaborating with a major mission board to recruit African American pastors for overseas service. This effort aims to boost the number of missionaries from this demographic, who currently represent a small fraction of the total workforce. The partnership includes planning trips to regions in North Africa to evaluate needs and share the gospel. Leaders from both organizations expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, hoping other states will join to send more missionaries to areas where they are needed. The program intends to leverage specific cultural connections to effectively reach Muslim populations in these mission fields.
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