News — IMB trustees appoint 116 new missionaries … Lottie Moon offering predicted down … Issues and guidelines Going — Quotable: “Things of this world do seem more temporary” … Your questions answered A testimony of love Forward to a friend

News

IMB trustees appoint 116 new missionaries

New missionary Karen Lee of Camarillo, Calif. , receives her certificate from IMB President Jerry Rankin. Lee and her husband, Richard, will serve in Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. PHOTO By Bill Bangham

116 missionaries — the second-largest group of new missionaries in International Mission Board history — were appointed during a recent trustee meeting in Midland, Texas. The group varied remarkably in age, experience, skills and backgrounds — including 18 ethnic Asians, 13 of them Korean-Americans.

Trustees also heard reports on missionary personnel in 2004:

— 686 new missionaries were added during the year.

— 5,165 personnel were serving at the end of 2004, reflecting a net loss of 205 from the previous year.

— The attrition rate for the year, 5 percent, is the lowest since 1998 — and still significantly lower than rates among many missionary-sending agencies.

Find out why the number of missionaries dipped from a high of 5,500, but is headed back up.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® predicted down

Trustees also heard a projection that the 2004 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which supports overseas personnel, will total about $133 million – down some $3 million from the 2003 offering. The official total will be announced after all receipts are counted at the end of May. It does not include the $16 million given to aid victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami.

Trustees of the International Mission Board recently elected officers for 2005-2006. Tom Hatley, right, of Rogers, Ark., was re-elected chairman. Joining him are Lonnie Wascom, left, of Hammond, La., as first vice-chairman and Mary Nichols, center, of Kenai, Alaska, as recording secretary. Not pictured is Billy Hudgins, of Hokes Bluff, Ala., second vice chairman. PHOTO by Bill Bangham

Other financial reports for 2004:

— Income totaled nearly $287 million.

— $245 million of that came in through the Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and hunger and relief gifts.

— Expenses totaled $282.3 million, a $4 million increase over 2003.

— Overseas expenses totaled $242.1 million; nearly $209 million of that went to support more than 5,000 missionaries and their families.

Issues and guidelines

— How do Southern Baptist missionaries decide which other groups to cooperate with?
— Should Southern Baptists continue sending missionaries to Roman Catholic countries?

See what trustees decided and heard on these issues.

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Going

Quotable: “Things of this world do seem more temporary”

“Living overseas has given me even more of a reference for truly being just a foreigner, a visitor, a stranger in this world. In that light, the things of this world do seem more temporary. It gives me a further sense of urgency to spend my time doing things that have eternal value.” — a worker in South Asia

Read more.

Your questions answered

How can I serve? What can I do? Where can I go? Get answers to your questions about serving overseas.

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A testimony of love

A couple of years ago, a Muslim village was attacked. Many people were injured, and many homes were destroyed. The people were desperate. The government and other relief organizations promised to bring food, but, sadly, these villagers never received any aid. God had a plan. Believers took food boxes to 300 hungry and desperate Muslim families. “In our darkest hour, only the Christians helped us!” is what the people of the village said. About a year later, one of the young men in the village came to faith in Jesus! He started talking to others in his hometown and found many who were receptive to the gospel. Pray that as food continues to be distributed to needy Muslims in many places around the world, the good works of believers will testify to God's love and care and open many ears to hear the truth.

Find prayer requests and answers to prayer for Muslims.

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