Standing behind a screen to protect their identity, newly appointment missionaries share their testimony using American Sign Language. The couple will work among the Deaf. IMB Photo

Messengers and guests at the Southern Baptist Convention applaud IMB missionaries who will serve in countries where it is either illegal to share the gospel or Christians are strongly persecuted. Eighty-three newly appointed missionaries, plus two previously appointed missionaries participating with spouses, were part of a Sending Celebration in the first session of the annual meeting on June 11 in Indianapolis. IMB Photo

Newly appointed missionaries share a little of their testimony and work they will do with more than 13,000 Southern Baptist messengers and their guests on June 11. This large group of missionaries, 85, sent out during the 2024 SBC annual meeting will serve in every affinity in the world where IMB currently works. IMB Photo

This single man is heading to an area of the world that cannot be publicly named. Counting the cost and finding Christ worthy, IMB missionaries face the edge of lostness and people often hostile to the gospel. IMB Photo

A missionary gives her testimony to attendees at the Sending Celebration, held in conjunction with the Florida Baptist Convention annual meeting. She is obscured from the crowd by a partition because she is called to a people group that may be hostile toward the gospel. For her safety and those she serves among, she is not publicly connected with IMB. In her country of service, she will generally be known by her real name or maybe by a nickname given to her by local friends. IMB Photo

Some missionaries were not shown online for security reasons. Three of the couples were presented on stage but could not speak publicly because they are going to areas so secure that voice recognition could pose a risk. IMB Photo

Police stand guard in Valletta, Malta.

Police officers walk the streets of a London, England, neighborhood.