News

New IMB Structure Seeks to Better Reach People Groups

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:23:51 GMT

Acting on recommendations from the "Renewing the Vision" task force appointed by board chairman Paul Chitwood in June, trustees unanimously agreed to revise the IMB's vision and mission statements in order to reflect what President Jerry Rankin called a "more relevant and biblical expression of the IMB's task" in the context of global change.

Read the entire story at BPNews.net >>>

Watch an Acts 1:8 Challenge Presentation Online

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:23:24 GMT

About the Acts 1:8 Challenge Initiative

The last words of Jesus are the first priority for today's 21st century church! This conference, presented by Tim Yarbrough, team leader of church relations at the North American Mission Board and Acts 1:8 Challenge National Coordinator, provides an overview of the initiative and new tools designed to assist directors of missions and help their churches in becoming a worldwide mission centers. Presented at the 2009 Summit of the Network of Baptist Associations (www.NoBAsbc.org) held at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

McNeal: Churches Must Embrace Missional Movement

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:22:59 GMT

The cultural climate for ministry has changed, and churches must change how they interact with their communities, Reggie McNeal told more than 200 Kentucky Baptists at the Jan. 22 Pastor/Staff Forum.

Read the entire story at KYBaptist.org >>>

Recruiting and Training Mission Teams

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:22:34 GMT

Free online training: Watch a complete presentation by Dr. Bobby Gilstrap on the topic of recruiting and training mission teams. Presented live at the North Central States Rally in Indianapolis on January 7, this session will help you obtain strategies and resources for recruiting mission teams, hosting vision tours, and preparing mission team leadership for effective, evangelistic, contextualized ministry.

Defining Missional

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:22:08 GMT

As church leaders continue to pile onto the missional bandwagon, the true meaning of the word may be getting buried under a pile of assumptions. Is it simply updated nomenclature for being purpose-driven or seeker-sensitive? Is missional a new, more mature strain of the emerging church movement? It's time to pause and consider the origin and meaning of the word that is reframing our understanding of ministry and the church.

Read the entire story at ChristianityToday.com >>>

Acts 1:8 Photos on Shutterfly

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:21:47 GMT

We have a new Acts 1:8 Challenge Photo sharing site on Shutterfly! As a visitor you can view photos. As a member of Shutterfly you can add your own Acts 1:8 and other missions photos, download, make prints and other items!

Current albums available for viewing include pictures from 2008 conferences in Arkansas and Missouri, as well as shots from last year's Acts 1:8 Forum.

Check out all the albums at actsone8challenge.shutterfly.com >>>

Spanish A18C Doctrine Study Now Available

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:21:24 GMT

The Acts 1:8 Challenge initiative continues to work to provide missional resources in various languages.

Our most recent effort has resulted in the translation of the Acts 1:8 Challenge doctrine study by Nate Adams into Spanish. You can access a PDF of the study here, along with other Acts 1:8 Non-English speaking resources.

The English version of the study can be purchased through LifeWay.

Just Released: The Camel Training Workshop from IMB

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:20:58 GMT

The Camel Workshop offers a six-session interactive workbook (The Camel Rider’s Journal) and instructional DVD in the most powerful, proven, and effective Muslim evangelism tool available. Developed in collaboration with partners who have been using the Camel Training book for three years, this workshop offers a more complete training module.

Get more details about this valuable resource here >>>

Every Nation: Shift From Local to Global Thinking

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:20:29 GMT

This recent online devotional from Pastor Rick Warren addresses the global component of the Acts 1:8 Challenge: "We’re more [globally] connected than we realize and God can use that connectedness as a means for us to fulfill His Great Commission."

Read the entire post at PurposeDriven.com >>>

Simplified Missional Living

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:20:02 GMT

A helpful article from Jonathan Dodson at The Resurgence breaks down 8 natural, straightforward ways we can be on mission in our everyday lives. The list includes ideas like finding opportunities to eat with non-Christians, choosing to "be a regular" at specific shops in our communities, and intentionally participating in city events.

Check it out at theresurgence.com >>>

Viewing the World Through an Acts 1:8 Lens

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:19:36 GMT

Imagine a camera with a huge lens and God giving you the privilege of looking through the viewfinder to see the world from His perspective. The image you see moves from where you are, all the way out beyond the horizon and into the unseen places of the world. And He sees people. This is the kind of experience a committed believer has when their life intersects with the truth of the biblical text. This is particularly true when it comes to the mandate of Acts 1:8.

Read the entire story by James B. Law at bpnews.net >>>

25,000 Prep for NAMB Summer Missions

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:19:08 GMT

An army of 25,000 student and adult volunteers will mobilize across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico in June, when the North American Mission Board's World Changers, PowerPlant and Families on Mission ministries launch for the summer.

Read the entire story at SBC Baptist Press >>>

IMB Connect

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:18:43 GMT

Now you can access IMB’s best practices, projects, training and field information all in one place. Preparing the churches of your association for short-term missions has never been easier. We have developed training and project templates that will help churches have an effective and streamlined experience on their short-term overseas mission. It is all available to Southern Baptist churches and your association.

Please go to imbconnect.net to sign up. >>>

FAQ: Haiti and IMB

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:18:09 GMT

Do we have personnel in Haiti and are they safe?

IMB does not currently have personnel living in Haiti. IMB is continuing to work with Baptist partners who have direct ministries there.

What is being done to help after the earthquake?

IMB’s human needs partner, Baptist Global Response, is coordinating relief efforts with other Baptist partners. The Florida Baptist Convention has many ongoing ministries with Haiti and will be the primary coordinator of the Southern Baptist response there.

I want to be involved. How can I go? Give? Pray?

Assessments have begun and there will be more specific information forthcoming.

Meanwhile, you can pray for those who have lost loved ones in this disaster. Pray that as relief is provided for physical needs, opportunities will also arise for meeting spiritual needs.

Give?

Relief efforts are going to be costly. If you want to give online, please go to imb.org, click on giving, and click on human needs. 100% of your donation will be used in to provide relief; no funds will be used for administration or promotion.

Go?

Assessments have begun and we will have more information in the next several hours. As you may have heard on news reports, there is a need to make sure aid from all sources is coordinated so that all individuals will receive the help they need.

Information will be posted on imb.org later today and in following days about any specific needs.

'Faith Stimulus Package' makes impact

Mike Montgomery — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:17:46 GMT

"We hear so much about the economy. A lot of people are struggling," said Todd Pendergrass, executive pastor for Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tenn. "For us, it's about not turning a deaf ear to what's happening. There are things we can do for each other, take care of each other through difficult times."

Read the entire story at BPNews.net >>>

New! Abbreviated Acts 1:8 Curriculum Now Available

Internal Administrator — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:58:12 GMT

New! Abbreviated Acts 1:8 Curriculum Now Available

For those who would like to teach the Acts 1:8 curriculum in Sunday School, youth group, or a small group Bible study — but don't have a full 13-week quarter available — we now offer the curriculum in abbreviated blocks of six sessions, four sessions, and stand-alone one-hour studies. All freely downloadable. All still correlated to our great Acts 1:8 illustration videos. Check them out by age level from our ever-growing Acts 1:8 Curriculum and Studies page.

New Acts 1:8 Recommended Reading Page

Internal Administrator — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:33:24 GMT

New Acts 1:8 Recommended Reading Page

We just put up a brand new page full of proven missional books we love. These are the ones we recommend you move to the top of the stack as you look for encouragement and practical ideas on how to embrace an Acts 1:8 paradigm and build a framework for missions in your church. Our current featured book is Growing an Engaged Church by Albert L. Winseman.

Missional Turn Around

Internal Administrator — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:37:06 GMT

Missional Turn Around

Mark Morris at MissionLeader.com reports on a church that answered a challenge to give itself out of some serious debt by committing to building a missions program at the same time. And it worked. Give it a read.

Get Out of Jerusalem

Internal Administrator — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:02 GMT

Get Out of Jerusalem

Great interview on LeadershipJournal.net with Rick Richardson and Brenda Salter-McNeil about "the relationship of the gospel to issues of race and justice." Subtitle: "What it takes for the gospel to reach the ends of the earth." Worth checking out.

NAMB’s Hammond introduces National Evangelism Initiative

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:29:28 GMT

NAMB’s Hammond introduces National Evangelism Initiative

Challenging Southern Baptists to “Just imagine if every believer in North America started sharing the Gospel and every person heard that Gospel by the year 2020,” Geoff Hammond, president of the North American Mission Board, unveiled the National Evangelism Initiative (NEI) to messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention Tuesday evening.

Read the entire story on NAMB.net >>>

Alaska Baptists Focus on the Acts 1:8 Challenge

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:01:36 GMT

Alaska Baptists focused on evangelism through the Acts 1:8 Challenge and adopted a $2 million budget during their 62nd annual meeting at Birchwood Community Church in Chugiak.

Read the entire story at BPNews.net >>>

CP Expands Church's Acts 1:8 Outreach

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:58:42 GMT

CP Expands Church's Acts 1:8 Outreach

Cross Lanes Baptist Church in Virginia "holds the rope" for missions through the Cooperative Program and its participation in the Acts 1:8 Challenge.

Read the entire story at BaptistPress.com >>>

Hitting for the Cycle

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:57:51 GMT

Hitting for the Cycle

It’s one of the rarest feats in baseball. “Hitting for the cycle” is when a batter manages to hit a single, double, triple and home run all in the same game. It’s only been done 276 times in major league baseball history. Jesus’ last words on earth before ascending into heaven were about hitting for the cycle. In Acts 1:8 He said His disciples would receive power, and then they were to go with urgency and touch base in four places that were both literal for the church of that day and symbolic for churches like ours throughout history.

Read the entire story >>>

Primary call of God for all is to be witness

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:57:03 GMT

Primary call of God for all is to be witness

There are some who believe that the greatest call God can extend is the call to the ministry. There are others who feel that the call of God to be a foreign missionary is the highest and holiest call God extends. The truth is that neither of these calls constitutes the primary call of God.

Read the entire story at the Times Record News >>>

Simply Missional

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:56:26 GMT

Simply Missional

Check out this great post called "Simply Missional in Neue" from Ed Stetzer's blog at Lifeway.

Eight Commitments Leaders Guide Now Available Online

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:49:41 GMT

Acts 1:8 Leadership Guide Now Available Online

We've just made the Acts 1:8 Leadership Guide available to view or download from the site. You can find links to each of the eight sections of the Guide from the main Eight Commitments page. You can also download the entire guide from any of the Eight Commitments pages.

Making missions personal, McGregor puts heart, hands to Great Commission

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:49:21 GMT

Making missions personal, McGregor puts heart, hands to Great Commission

Claude Diehl is on the Ends of the Earth Committee at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers. He is part of the church’s mission strategy that disperses the congregation’s missions offering to support state, national and international missions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program and through McGregor’s own mission programs.

Read the entire story at the Florida Baptist Witness >>>

New Acts 1:8 Students Page

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:42:03 GMT

New Acts 1:8 Students Page

A youth pastor recently suggested we should make it easier to find student resources on the Acts 1:8 site. Great idea! Meet our brand new Acts 1:8 for Students page - all your Acts 1:8-related student resources in one convenient spot.

Piper on the Acts 1:8 Podcast

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:41:14 GMT

Piper on the Acts 1:8 Podcast

Our latest podcast features a classic message from John Piper, pastor of preaching at Behlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Don't miss "Let the Nations Be Glad" on the Acts 1:8 Podcast.

Missions-minded Kentucky Baptist churches accept Acts 1:8 Challenge

Internal Administrator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:38:01 GMT

Missions-minded Kentucky Baptist churches accept Acts 1:8 Challenge

After its major relocation earlier this year, Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown wanted to re-focus the energy that drove its move to its new facilities on Ring Road. Pastor Billy Compton and church leaders found their purpose in the Acts 1:8 Challenge, the missions emphasis that encourages churches to reach out to their community, state, nation and world.

Read the entire story at the Western Recorder >>>

My Disney World: The Pentecost Project

Internal Administrator — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:32:43 GMT

My Disney World: The Pentecost Project

Where will I go when I leave the IBSA Annual Meeting this year? Where is my Disney World? I will hurry out the door of the Crowne Plaza Hotel to the Baptist Building. That's where IBSA will be hosting an orientation lunch for around 30 Illinois churches that have agreed to pilot in 2009 a special initiative we're calling “The Pentecost Project.” Each of these churches is devoting the 50-day season between next year's Easter Sunday (April 12) and Pentecost Sunday (May 31) to a churchwide missions emphasis based on the Acts 1:8 challenge of Jesus.

Read the entire story >>>