12 | July 2025
By Chris Doyle, IMB writer Southern Baptists Unite to Send 58 New IMB Missionaries During SBC Annual Meeting
At the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, IMB President Paul Chitwood reminds messengers that missionaries are “ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the glory of God.” As more than 12,000 joined together for the IMB Sending Celebration, he called the church to unite in prayer, support, and shared mission—sending 58 new missionaries to the nations with the only true solution to the world’s greatest problem: lostness. IMB Photo
DALLAS — Southern Baptists united to celebrate 58 newly appointed International Mission Board missionar- ies, during the June 10 opening session of the South- ern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. Church messengers watched as missionaries took the stage to share their calling and thank those who are supporting their Great Commission task. “It’s so good to be with you today as we gather, together, to do many important things,” IMB President Paul Chit- wood said. “But perhaps none so important as this – to send 58 new IMB missionaries to pursue lostness around the world.” Missionaries, he said, are sent and supported, first and foremost, by their local churches, “but make no mistake – they are also sent by us, here in Dallas, Texas.” Chitwood continued, “This is a moment where we have the privilege to celebrate their going, commission them to join God in His mission, and commit to support them in every way.” To illustrate the vital importance of Southern Baptist sup- port of missionaries, Chitwood shared three recent ex- amples. The first was a young missionary mother whose cancer treatments in Houston begin this week. Her med- ical needs are covered by generous giving through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offer - ing.
Just four days ago, a missionary family wrote with thank- fulness for training that protected them when 12 men with machetes entered and robbed their home. Thankful- ly, they remained calm and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Southern Baptists provided that vital security and safety training for the missionaries and their five children. Earlier this year, a volunteer group was jailed in a restrict - ed access country and detained for two days. Through God’s protection, the group was released and arrived home safely. Because of Southern Baptist support, the IMB has resources for a highly trained incident response team ready to move on behalf of missionaries and volun- teers at a moment’s notice. “Southern Baptists, we’re not just sending missionaries but preparing them to endure the difficulties they face on the field,” Chitwood said. The new appointees are joining more than 3,500 IMB missionaries and their families currently serving in 155 countries. Those heading to regions hostile to the Gos- pel or missionary presence appeared behind a screen for the public event to protect their identities. Four couples spoke in their first languages of Italian and Korean, while English translations ran on the screens. Missionaries were united in their gratefulness for the prayers and gen- erosity of Southern Baptists.
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