Illinois Baptist Who will fill their shoes?

Missions ‘moonshot’

Midwestern Seminary to launch 100 missionaries annually for unreached people groups

Kansas City, Mo. | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) plans to produce 100 new missionaries annually in what President Jason Allen is calling a “missions moonshot.”

Allen announced the plan and a $2.5 million gift to fund it at the seminary’s spring convocation in January.

Allen began the service referencing President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 moonshot address to rally the American people to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. The term ‘moonshot,’ Allen explained, is shorthand for a goal that is so daunting and ambitious that it requires a special, collective effort of sacrifice and determination.

Midwestern aims to produce each year 100 individuals who are committed to overseas service to unreached or underreached people groups for a minimum commitment of two years. The initiative comes in partnership with the International Mission Board (IMB).

“What we long to see God do here in the years ahead is a deepening and expanding of our Great Commission work so that annually we can see and celebrate 100 students or graduates going out to the nations,” Allen said. “We don’t intend this number generically, but through a countable, defined, and identifiable group of men and women who are called to the nations.”

Preaching from John 10:16, Allen referenced how many consider this one of the greatest missionary verses, motivating missionaries

NATE ADAMS

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YEAR-END REPORT

It all adds up IBSA churches’ missions giving through Cooperative Program Section B

The Illinois Baptist staff

Editor - Eric Reed

Graphic Designer - Kris Kell

Contributing Editor - Lisa Misner

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The BIG Baptist family album

Our Illinois mission field

Litchfield native David Baker has formed a core group and will be launching a new church plant in neighboring Hillsboro. The church is sponsored by Net Community Church in Staunton. With his wife, Alana, and their four children, David wants to reach unchurched and dechurched people with hope, and to partner with the city in service to the community.

Pray the news: Summer evangelism

IBSA camps, Lake Sallateeska and Streator (right) are looking for staff and preparing for summer ministry. Pray for the teams, workers, volunteers, and camp leaders God is preparing to serve Illinois students. Pray for salvations in every week of summer camp.

Cooperative Program at work

The International Mission Board fully supports over 3,500 missionaries serving across the globe, from the megacities of Asia to the jungles of the Amazon. This missionary doctor traveled with a team providing medical clinics and evangelism programs to a remote village in central Peru. 81 of your IMB missionaries call Illinois “home.”

Total giving by IBSA churches in 2022: $5,513,999

2022 Budget Goal: $6,200,000 2023 Goal: $6 Million

NATE ADAMS