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

The worship team performs as messengers pray for all 52 newly appointed missionaries during a Sending Celebration June 14 at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. IMB Photo

“Every day, 157,690 people will die apart from Christ and spend eternity in hell,” IMB President Paul Chitwood told messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting June 14. “It’s daunting – maybe even entirely overwhelming to absorb the reality of lostness. The reality of that number is heartbreaking and almost paralyzing. …
Thankfully we do not shoulder that number by ourselves. What we do, we do together, or we do not do it at all.” IMB Photo

Backdropped by a newly revealed International Mission Board logo, IMB President Paul Chitwood addresses messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 14. IMB Photo

“Every day, 157,690 people will die apart from Christ and spend eternity in hell,” IMB President Paul Chitwood told messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting June 14. “It’s daunting – maybe even entirely overwhelming to absorb the reality of lostness. The reality of that number is heartbreaking and almost paralyzing. …
Thankfully we do not shoulder that number by ourselves. What we do, we do together, or we do not do it at all.” IMB Photo

Backdropped by a newly revealed International Mission Board logo, IMB President Paul Chitwood addresses messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 14. IMB Photo

Jonathan and Bethany Derbyshire are headed to Thailand to serve in student ministry. Jonathan grew up as a missionary kid, and his parents are still active missionaries. IMB Photo

Bobby and Brittany Spinks served as short-term missionaries in Hungary. They are returning as career missionaries to a different city in the same country. IMB Photo

Lindsey Ward always knew she was called to missions. For years, she patiently prayed for God to move in the heart of her family and call them to the nations as well. She and her husband, Ben, are headed to Santiago, Chile, taking the gospel to the nations. IMB Photo

Missionaries heading to global areas where security is a concern were shown behind a screen. More than 90 percent of IMB missionary teams actively engage unreached people groups, many in hard-to-reach places where safety and security are daily considerations. IMB President Paul Chitwood speaks in their behalf to messengers at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting. IMB Photo

Megan Brown (front), along with thousands of other messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting, took the time to pray over the new missionaries during the Sending Celebration before singing a song of blessing over them. IMB Photo

“Every day, 157,690 people will die apart from Christ and spend eternity in hell,” IMB President Paul Chitwood told messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting June 14. “It’s daunting – maybe even entirely overwhelming to absorb the reality of lostness. The reality of that number is heartbreaking and almost paralyzing. …
Thankfully we do not shoulder that number by ourselves. What we do, we do together, or we do not do it at all.” IMB Photo

Backdropped by a newly revealed International Mission Board logo, IMB President Paul Chitwood addresses messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 14. IMB Photo