Asa Watson, newly appointed missionary to Germany, prays in German during the IMB’s Sending Celebration, June 11. He and three other missionaries closed the ceremony by praying in different languages. IMB Photo

Paul Chitwood, IMB president, reminds Southern Baptists of three pledges that have withstood the 179 years of the convention’s history — praying, giving and sending. Chitwood said these pledges continue to support today’s missionaries who bring the solution of the gospel to the spiritually lost. IMB Photo

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

Micheal and Liz Davis are joining the great pursuit to reach those in Europe who are living in darkness. They are being sent by Trinity Baptist Church, Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma. 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

On her first trip to Europe in college God changed Abigail Freemyer’s heart for his people and realized that she could share with others the hope and joy she found in Jesus. She is returning to serve as an IMB missionary to Europe. IMB Photo

Todd and Michele Linn are being appointed as missionaries to serve among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. They are being sent from Oakhill Baptist Church in Evansville, Indiana. IMB Photo

IMB President Paul Chitwood gave a report from the IMB to more than 11,000 messengers at the 2023 SBC annual meeting in New Orleans. Chitwood asked messengers to think of IMB missionaries “as your own.” IMB Photo

Paul Chitwood speaks with newly appointed missionaries, Tyler and Rachel English. Along with their daughters, Asher (5), Graycen (3), and Wrenley (1), they will serve as missionaries in Guatemala. Tyler grew up on the mission field, and Rachel’s uncles (D.Ray and Daren Davis) serve with the IMB. IMB Photo

Terry Pedigo, IMB staff and a fellow church member of Tyler and Rachel English, prays over the newly appointed missionary couple during a backstage prayer time led by IMB President Paul Chitwood after the Sending Celebration. IMB Photo

A fifth-generation missionary stands with her husband, sharing the testimony of how they were called to South Asia as missionaries. These missionaries’ identities are obscured because some missionaries are called to people groups that may be hostile toward the gospel. For their safety and those they serve among, they are not publicly connected with IMB. In their countries of service, they are generally known by their real names or sometimes by a nickname given to them by local friends. IMB Photo

In college, Natalie Nation realized that God could use her skills and passion for swimming to impact places where few are choosing to follow Christ. She is headed to Yokohama to serve Japanese college students as a swim coach. IMB Photo

Alba Mosquera is fulfilling a call she felt from the Lord in 2008. The former teacher will be using the cross-cultural experience her job and church have given her to share the gospel with Europeans. IMB Photo

“Our hearts ache for the Japanese people, my people,” Hiromi Price said. She and her husband, Rick, are headed back to Japan, this time as missionaries, “so that Heaven will be more crowded with Japanese,” they said. IMB Photo

Saleem and Sue Ellen Bhayani are being appointed as missionaries to France. The Bhayanis are sent by Sugar Land Baptist Church in Sugar Land, Texas. IMB Photo

Tyler and Rachel English, along with their daughters, Asher (5), Graycen (3), and Wrenley (1), will serve as missionaries in Guatemala. Tyler grew up on the mission field, and Rachel’s uncles (D.Ray and Daren Davis) serve with the IMB. IMB Photo

Tyler and Rachel English, along with their daughters, Asher (5), Graycen (3), and Wrenley (1), will serve as missionaries in Guatemala. Tyler grew up on the mission field, and Rachel’s uncles (D.Ray and Daren Davis) serve with the IMB. IMB Photo

Dr. Paul Chitwood speaks at an event commemorating the 50-anniversary of the opening of the Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Bangalore, India.

Dr. Paul Chitwood attends a ceremony at Bangalore Baptist Hospital in Bangalore, India. The Southern Baptist Convention founded the hospital in 1973.