Why Missions?

I became acquainted with Baptist World Mission more than thirty-five years ago. As a senior pastor, I began inviting Drs. Monroe Parker and Fred Moritz, along with BWM missionaries on deputation, to preach and present their fields to our church family. It did not take long for BWM to become our favorite mission board. The philosophy of BWM is greatly appreciated. They are a servant to their supporting local churches, and their accountability process is impeccable. They help prepare and serve their missionaries from start to finish. It has been my privilege to serve on the BWM Board for many years, and our meetings are always a great encouragement to the church we meet in, the missionaries, and those who serve in leadership. We are thankful to have a small part of our BWM family!

Benjamin had the privilege of getting to know the Baptist World Mission family in his home church, as his father was a board member. He always had great respect for their leadership and missionaries. The day we surrendered to God’s call to Scotland was also the day we contacted BWM to request an application form. We’re thankful for a mission agency that continues to stand upon Bible doctrine and Bible practice in a day of great declension. We’re also very aware of how greatly BWM strives to encourage, support, and protect its missionaries. While providing great care for their missionaries, BWM also allows the missionary to serve primarily under the leadership of their sending church and pastor.

It is an honor to commend Baptist World Mission as a mission agency that is doctrinally driven, while maintaining a steadfast focus on biblical church planting. You will find those who serve with BWM demonstrate a spirit of grace while pleasing the Savior by staying separated from the world. Family-oriented in spirit and practice, BWM exemplifies excellence in serving both missionaries and sending churches. Those who labor under its banner share in a ministry whose aim is to please the Savior. It has been my joy to work with BWM for over 35 years and never be disappointed.

Praise the LORD for the 43 years we have been serving with Baptist World Mission! The doctrinal stand of this mission board is the primary reason we chose to come with BWM in 1982. Over the years, BWM has not deviated from that position at all and has been very helpful in meeting our needs and answering our questions. The fellowship with fellow BWM staff, board members, and church planters has been a real blessing, both while in the States and here in Germany.

I pastored Thompson Road Baptist Church in Indianapolis, and BWM, with its expertise in assisting missionaries and the caring accountability provided through the board’s field administrators, provided services for our church that, for the most part, would have been impossible for us to offer. For 44 years, it has been my privilege as a board member to enjoy a “front-row” seat working with pastors from churches representing a cross-section of America, with a passion and vision for world missions, regularly contributing godly counsel and direction to the BWM staff. My commendation of BWM is without reservation to both missionaries considering yoking up with a sound mission agency for the help they will need in the logistics of getting to and remaining effective on the field, and to any local church desiring to draw from the resources not available to most churches.

My wife and I were both saved as adults in Huntsville, Alabama, and joined a local church where many BWM staff attended. When we eventually surrendered to full-time ministry and then to missions, choosing a mission board was a no-brainer! The faithful men and women of BWM had already supported and encouraged us all along the way as we grew in the Lord, so we had no doubt they could continue to provide the godly advice, counsel, and accountability we needed. Not to mention the practical training and financial help we knew nothing about! The staff members have changed over the past 15 years since we first joined BWM, but the standards and commitment to caring for us, the missionaries, have never wavered. We can’t imagine being missionaries in Italy without BWM’s support and expertise.

Baptist World Mission has a testimony of sending godly missionaries who are passionate about the Great Commission and introducing lost souls to the Lord Jesus Christ around the world. From the leadership of the directors, the service of the home office, and the missionaries on the field, I believe the goals and accountability of BWM are guided by the Bible and the glory of God. As the pastor of a fundamental Baptist church committed to evangelism and edification with a Christlike attitude, it is a blessing to have a resource we can connect with to help us meet our goals.

Our first acquaintance with BWM took place even before we ever came to the US. It started with dedicated BWM missionaries in Russia, whom we met and witnessed their high standards in doctrine and personal life. A few years later in the States, we met board members, who became teachers and later personal friends. We are so grateful for the examples of true care, commitment to the Gospel ministry and many practical aspects of ministry which helped us in over 20 years of our ministry. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, BWM helped us establish a humanitarian fund, which is being used to this day and has been a blessing to so many living  in the war zone.