The International Mission Board has introduced a new interactive tool, Knowing the IMB, that enables Southern Baptists, in less than an hour, to discover what’s unique about the IMB and what churches can accomplish together.
“We’re grateful to be in partnership with you as we seek to come alongside you and serve local churches in fulfilling the mission that God has given to the church of seeing that vast multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages gathered around the throne,” says IMB President Paul Chitwood. “We hope that this course will be a great benefit to you as together we serve the local church in fulfilling the Great Commission.”
IMB President Paul Chitwood (left) and IMB missionary Brian Massey (far right), visit with an Indigenous people group in the mountains of Colombia.
According to Terry Sharp, who manages IMB’s convention and network relations, all Southern Baptists are welcome to use the free resource at imb.org/training. But SBC associational mission strategists, state convention staff, pastors, church planters and mission leaders may find it especially helpful.
Users will look at the organizational structure that can assist church leaders in the mission and find ways the IMB and churches can engage in the missionary task in a multitude of ways all over the world.
The resource uses interactive tools, videos, and infographics, and can easily be broken into smaller modules.
One especially appealing feature for leaders, says Sharp, is the ability to set up a group that can interact and work through the material together. An associational missions strategist, for instance, might use a module in meetings with church leaders who wish to learn ways to work with IMB.
The tool enables the user to start a discussion, ask questions and get technical help at any point. It also links users who wish to dig deeper to additional resources.