Paul Chitwood, IMB president, announces to trustees that engagement in 2022 increased in many areas. Applications for volunteer trips more than tripled this year. IMB Photo

Todd Lafferty, IMB Executive Vice President and former missionary, honors Emeriti and staff who passed away in 2022. He told many stories for the 87 who spent their lives serving the Lord. IMB Photo

IMB trustees spend a lot of time in prayer during their quarterly meetings. Nate Bishop, second vice-chair for IMB trustees from Kentucky, prays for the families of Emeriti and Staff as part of the memorial for those who died in 2022. IMB Photo

Jenna Cobb, IMB trustee from Florida, interacts with other trustees before the meeting begins. Trustees become like family as they work to address the world’s greatest problem — Lostness. IMB Photo

Keith Evans, IMB trustee from the Northwest, speaks with Paul Chitwood, IMB president, before the February meeting begins. IMB Photo

IMB trustees Doug Melton, pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City (right) and Lori Frances, discuss Oklahoma Baptists as they walk through the snow to their next trustee meeting on Feb. 2. IMB Photo

Outgoing trustee officers, Lisa Lovell, first vice chair, and Chuck Pourciau, chairman from Louisiana, completed their terms of service on IMB’s board of trustees. Ten trustees were recognized for their completed terms. IMB Photo

IMB President-Emeritus Jerry Rankin jokingly asked for a vest that matched the one Paul Chitwood and Chuck Pourciau were wearing. Chitwood immediately presented him with a vest they intended to give him later. Rankin served the IMB for 40 years, 17 years as president. IMB Photo

Kalaishi Johnson, IMB trustee from Mississippi, speaks with other trustees and IMB staff during a break from the IMB trustee meeting near Richmond, Virginia. IMB President-Emeritus Jerry Rankin recognized Johnson as one of the college students he taught and encouraged toward missions involvement. IMB Photo

IMB trustees Nate Bishop and Doug Melton take time to visit during the May 2023 IMB trustee meeting. Many trustees only see each other in person when the board meets. IMB Photo

Newly elected IMB trustee officers for 2023-24 are Keith Evans, chairman, Nate Bishop, first vice chair, Carol Pfeiffer, second vice chair, and Trudy Crittendon, recording secretary. IMB Photo

IMB trustee Chris Wall from Oklahoma, interacts with former IMB president, and retired missionary, Jerry Rankin outside of the IMB trustee meetings near Richmond, Va. IMB Photo

Daniel and Kaci Nease are returning to Poland. The missionary couple is being sent to plant churches by a church plant in Colorado, The Mission. IMB Photo

Fifty members of Coats Baptist Church in North Carolina, gather for a group photo with their newly appointed missionaries, and fellow members, Bradley and Ember Wilkie. The church rented a bus and drove to Virginia for the Sending Celebration. Other friends and family also gathered at the North Carolina church to watch the service online. IMB Photo

Michael Garner hugs Carol Sasnett after the Feb. 1 Sending Celebration near Richmond, Virginia. Ed and Carol Sasnett have known and discipled Michael and Jennifer Garner for more than 30 years as their pastor. He is humbled every time God calls someone from their church to the mission field. IMB Photo

Todd Lafferty, IMB executive vice president, addresses the audience gathered for the IMB Sending Celebration.

Missionary candidates who move through the pipeline are approved by IMB trustees, then blessed by Southern Baptists for service to the nations at Sending Celebrations held during the year. Brian L. Zunigha, IMB trustee and director of discipleship ministries at California Baptist University, leads in a time of prayer for the missionaries being sent globally. IMB Photo

Family and friends from Happy Valley Baptist Church in Arizona, surround newly appointed career missionary, Tiffany Ford, (center) in prayer during the IMB Sending Celebration Feb 1. The moment was extra special for Ford as her parents and former youth leaders send her to the nations. IMB Photo

Missionary candidates who move through the pipeline are approved by IMB trustees, then blessed by Southern Baptists for service to the nations at Sending Celebrations held during the year. Brian L. Zunigha, IMB trustee and director of discipleship ministries at California Baptist University, addresses the audience and then leads in a time of prayer for the missionaries being sent globally. IMB Photo

Chuck Pourciau, IMB trustee chairman and lead pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana challenged newly appointed missionaries to “follow God’s call even when times are uncertain.” The Sending Celebration was at time for churches, families and friends to honor, support and send “their missionaries.” IMB Photo