Editor’s note: This is the ninth post in a 10-part series that highlights information found in IMB’s Annual Statistical Report. The report is based on 2020 research data. A full copy of the report is available at imb.org/asr.

STORIES FROM THE FIELD — SOUTHEAST ASIAN PEOPLES

Entry

After returning from a summer serving among a Muslim people group, Lynn* sensed God’s calling to work full-time among them. However, Lynn’s mother wanted her to finish her degree and be a teacher. Out of respect for her mother, Lynn taught for a year, but continued to work with this people group whenever possible. In God’s providence, she was recently sent to a new school located among the very people to whom God had called her. Now she is welcomed in the community as a teacher, can naturally go into homes to visit her students and is fully supported by her teaching profession.

Leadership Development

As part of our community development training project, Nathaniel*, a national partner, faithfully shared the gospel with many young people. Several received Christ as their Lord and Savior and were discipled and trained as leaders. Over the past year these leaders have been instrumental in starting and leading ministry outreaches on their island. Recently, Nathaniel said he was crying tears of joy because God answered our prayers of raising up leaders.

Exit to Partnership

Jesus said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few, so pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

The Philippine mission field is yielding a mighty mission force. For the last 15 years, over 1,200 youth participated with Nehemiah Teams sharing the gospel with the unreached. In 2019, a covenant between IMB and the One Sending Body, the sending entity of the Southern Baptist conventions in the Philippines, forged a partnership for training and teaming. The harvest is still great; we thank God for the many Filipino harvesters!

*Names changed for security

All data, except for active field personnel and unreached people group counts, reflects information from the 2020 Data-Year Annual Statistical Report (IMB).