In 2003, one Southern Baptist couple was burdened by Satan’s grip on the world. The wife had longed for stability and comfort for her family, but surrendered those longings to God two years ago. Now the family is headed to Central Asia.
These new missionaries – along with 46 others – were appointed by the International Mission Board on Sept. 12 at Biltmore Baptist Church in Arden, N.C., near Asheville. The appointment service was part of a reunion week for about 1,000 emeritus missionaries held at the LifeWay Ridgecrest (N.C.) Conference Center.
Surrender and sacrifice were a theme repeated throughout the missionary appointment service.
Another couple – Jeff and Liesa Holeman – told of their sacrifices. Jeff felt God was telling him that he and his family would go to the mission field. Liesa wasn’t so sure; God had given her a similar call as a teenager, but as a mom and successful tax investigator, she was hoping they could put missionary life on hold.
“The reasons to wait were good – a wonderful job as a student minister and a comfortable life,” Jeff said. “But good is not good when God has something better.”
So they are following God’s call to Peru.
Other missionaries shared stories of sacrifice and calling:
– “Twenty-eight years ago, my parents emigrated from East Asia in search of a better life. Now, as the son of an immigrant, I am giving up this so-called better life to go to Asia to teach the Good News of eternal and abundant life,” said Dean, who will serve with his wife Penny.
– “After 20 years’ experience as a mechanical designer and with no seminary degree, God called me to full-time missions work,” said Mike Campbell, who will serve in Central and Eastern Europe. “I figured I would retire as an engineer, but in 2002 on a volunteer mission team, I taught Vacation Bible School in an orphanage in Novosibirsk, Russia. God used the fatherless of Siberia to confirm my call.”
– “In 2005 I traveled to help with tsunami relief. During that time, I witnessed a Muslim who had lost his entire family. As he wept, he took our translation dictionary and pointed to the word “sorrow.” At that point, I knew God was calling me to work in a foreign culture,” said one missionary, who was appointed with his wife to Northern Africa and the Middle East.
– “I was born in Korea during the war of 1950. A missionary told me the Jesus story. I have served 11 short-term mission trips, and God used them by calling me to overseas service. When others think of me, I hope they think of Jesus’ love,” said K.T., who is going to East Asia with his wife S.B.
Challenge and promise
Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page delivered a challenge for Southern Baptists and a promise of ongoing support for the missionaries.
“We are a missions people because of Jesus, so I challenge these missionaries – but I challenge all Southern Baptists – to love Jesus with all your heart, with all your strength, with all your mind. … Share his name everywhere you are – whether it’s here in Asheville or whether it’s to the ends of the earth,” Page said. “Live like him. Southern Baptists need to start living like Jesus again so that the world will listen to what we say.”