Over and over, we see examples of Southern Baptists coming together to take the gospel to every nation. The cooperative efforts have never shone brighter than this year. You set a record with your generous giving. The Lottie Moon offering was the largest in the 177-year history of the IMB with $203.7 million.  

IMB president Paul Chitwood reminded those attending a sending celebration at the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim, California that 100% of that offering goes to sending and equipping missionaries, just like it has since the beginning. In fact, 25,000 missionaries have been sent to the nations throughout our history. In 2022, more than 3,400 missionaries were on the field engaging the 4.7 billion least reached peoples. 

Missionaries heading to global areas where security is a concern were shown behind a screen. More than 90% of IMB missionary teams actively engage unreached people groups, many in hard-to-reach places where safety and security are daily considerations. IMB File Photo

“They need us, Southern Baptists. They need you,” Chitwood told the SBC audience back in June. “This is why we came together, and this is why we must stay together.” 

Southern Baptists send IMB missionaries to be present among those who have never heard the gospel. As we look back on 2022, we see our top stories for the year points to this commitment. 

Gospel Access 

We believe missionary presence helps cultivate gospel access that knows no boundaries. This has never been more apparent than in European countries surrounding Ukraine this year. As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia elevated and refugees flooded into neighboring countries, we were there to help — physically, emotionally and spiritually. A decades-long partnership with Romanian, Moldovan, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian Baptists allowed Southern Baptists to not only be among the first to respond but to be there for the long term. 

More than $10 million was raised by Send Relief for Southern Baptists to use in 72 different relief projects related to this war. While that is impressive, the best part is how quickly you responded to a need and joined national believers and churches already at work. 

Send Relief resources are helping to provide food and hygiene items for Ukrainian refugees fleeing to Poland. Photo courtesy of Chelm Baptist Church, Poland. (File Photo) Used by permission.

Baptists in Poland respond to support Ukrainian refugees – Polish Baptists and International Mission Board missionaries quickly rallied to respond to the needs of Ukrainian refugees crossing the border to seek sanctuary from the attack on their homeland. >>Read More<< 

Terry James, from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and Iaroslav, a Ukrainian from Bucha, share information in front of the SBDR station. Iaroslav escaped from Bucha before the siege, and tirelessly worked to help his company’s employees leave. IMB File Photo

Broken for Bucha – Southern Baptist response teams overflow with compassion for those coming out of the war zone to seek safety. A team of Southern Baptists from California, Missouri and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention manned a station, offering coffee, snacks, reading glasses, Bibles and QR codes leading to a gospel website developed by the IMB.   >>Read More<< 

Two Ukrainian refugees sit on beds in Chelm Baptist Church. The church opened a transit center to receive refugees. Photo by Martin Linza. (File Photo)

Thousands of Ukrainian Christians find solace in Polish Baptist church – Chelm Baptist Church’s response to Ukrainian refugees who made long and arduous journeys out of their homeland and burdened by the loss of life as they knew it in Ukraine was something right out of the Bible. >>Read More<< 

Gospel Belief 

Every day 157,690 people die apart from Christ and spend eternity in hell. This lostness is the world’s greatest problem and the reason more than 90% of your missionaries actively engage one or more least reached people groups or places. We feel gospel belief results in lives transformed and we celebrate with our new brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. 

IMB missionary Travis Burkhalter baptizing Sarah, a new believer. IMB File Photo

First known believer baptized among people group – Sarah, the first known follower of Christ among her tribe, couldn’t stop smiling as she explained her decision with the community. This moment was years in the making. In fact, you began specifically praying for this three years ago. >>Read More<< 

Gospel Multiplication 

For so long, the definition of “finishing the task” has been when the local church can stand on its own. But it’s not truly finished until they can come alongside and be part of reaching other peoples with the gospel. When we disciple and plant churches, we want it to lead to local ownership of God’s mission. 

Once known as headhunters, the Bugkalot people now take the gospel to neighboring islands. IMB File Photo

Warriors to missionaries – Only a few decades ago, the Bugkalot people were one of the fiercest tribes in the Philippines, known for beheading their enemies. Now, they send missionaries to neighboring tribal people to share the good news that transformed their own lives. >>Read More<< 

Taiwanese GMPs spent several months sharing the gospel and training believers in east Taiwan alongside IMB missionaries Jonathan and Tommie Anne Guffey. IMB File Photo

IMB missionaries train global partners to reach world – The IMB knows it cannot reach those who have never heard the gospel alone. It takes local ownership of the Great Commission to fulfill the Revelation 7:9 vision. Six Taiwanese global missionary partners are sent by Taiwanese Baptists to serve two years with IMB missionaries. >>Read More<< 

God cannot make our purpose any clearer than He has through these stories of ministry in 2022. Together, we seek to take the gospel to every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages. Visit imb.org/newsroom to read more about the work God is doing around the world through your IMB missionaries.