By Tanner Cade
Communication Services Director
Through the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board’s Missions Mobilization Department, nine pastors trekked to Richmond, Virginia, for a vision journey at the headquarters of the International Mission Board.
Vision Journeys are regularly planned all over the world through the leadership of Chad McCord, director of the Missions Mobilization department, but this particular trip posed a unique opportunity to visit the missional sending arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Though each pastor attending was aware of the task of the IMB, talking face-to-face with missionaries currently training along with multiple question and answer moments with IMB staff, precipitated into an invaluable experience that further defines the importance of cooperatively working together to fulfill the great commission.
The majority of the three-day journey took place at IMB’s International Learning Center (ILC), where IMB staff help to train and send missionary units, to provide care for field personnel, and to conduct meetings with partners.
“I don’t think Southern Baptist realize how much our cooperation means to each other,” said Mark Stevens, who directs new missionary training..
Stevens led a session with the team about his area of responsibility overseeing missionary training and a deeper discussion opened about the “member care” offered by IMB.
“Healthy support of missionaries is a triangular effort,” added Chris Derry, the Church and Campus Engagement director. “We are church-centric from the very beginning in sending to planting overseas. As we send out missionaries from our churches through the IMB there is a healthy responsibility of care from the IMB home office, the team on the ground and the sending church.”
“You’re only here for a couple of days but we hope you are getting a healthy, missional, mark on your heart that you will never forget,” stated Chris Martin, director of convention strategies.
McCord’s goal of allowing the pastors the chance to hear more about the in-depth structure of the IMB was quickly delivered when boots hit the ground on the campus. The IMB staff keyed in on various discussions including our partnership together, global realities & lostness, inspiring church members, and other questions pastors had at the time.
“This was my hope, that we would come into this and let you guys take a deep dive,” said McCord. “But, also, you can gain a deeper trust with the IMB to know that our missionaries are being well taken care of in the field.”
The Mississippi team ate meals in the dining hall alongside missionaries, stayed in ILC housing, met with several IMB staff, attended affinity committee meetings, and toured the ILC and main office properties.
A highlight of the schedule allowed the team to meet two missionary units from Mississippi currently being trained at ILC. Regularly, Mississippians are being called to full-time missions and walking through the orientation process, but rarely are pastors able to pray face-to-face with them in the midst of their sending process.
“One of the most important things I’ve seen is the importance of teamwork and cooperation,” shared Matt Olson, pastor of First Church Sharon. “Also, to hear from our missionaries from Mississippi about how important it is for Cooperative Program giving, but also knowing there are individuals praying for them from all over the states.”
“I’ve been a Southern Baptist my whole life and I am learning stuff today that I never knew existed,” expressed Bradley Baker, Associational Missions Strategist for Union County Baptist Association.
Though the trip only allowed the team to be at IMB for less than 48 hours, each hour included helpful knowledge and testimony each pastor could then take home to their congregations. In fact, multiple times within the visit IMB personnel stressed the need for missionaries in a variety of professional skill sets. Doctors, accountants, coders, educators, designers, farmers, and many other areas of skills can potentially be an open missionary position overseas.
“So often when we think about the IMB and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering our minds are solely focused on our missionaries all around the world, and rightly so,” noted Jason Perault, pastor at Union Church in Clarke County. “This trip to the ILC helped me see beyond that to all of those involved in the infrastructure that helps send, support, care for, and sustain our missionaries. It was a privilege to see the work behind the scenes that prepares and keeps our missionaries focused on their calling.”
“This week I was able to see how Southern Baptists through the International Mission Board have been uniquely positioned by the sovereignty of God to train, send, and care for missionaries all over the world,” concluded John Mark Jarrett, senior pastor at Flat Rock Church. “It truly was a blessed week!”
If you are interested to learn more information about how your church can increase your missions involvement, please contact Chad McCord today.
*Vision Journeys are directly funded by Mississippi Baptists giving to the Cooperative Program and including additional funds given to the Margaret Lackey State Offering. Mississippi Baptists, thank you for your faithful giving.
Comments are closed.