Rev. Jim Bell, a member of the staff of American Baptist International Ministries (IM), has been named Director of Recruitment to lead IM’s initiatives to recruit new candidates for appointment as long-term missionaries.

 

Since 2005 Bell has been serving with Ruthie Stevenson to coordinate and orient Missionary Partnership Teams. Prior to joining the IM staff, Rev. Bell was a youth minister, minister of Christian Education and then a new church planter and pastor.  Jim serves IM as a remotely deployed staff member, living with his wife Karen and their two children in Harrison, OH.  They are members of the CrossWay Community Church, of which he was the founding pastor in 1998.

 

“We believe God is speaking to us through our international partners as they request us to appoint new missionaries,” said Reid Trulson, executive director of International Ministries. “Jim Bell has a deep knowledge of International Ministries, and as Director of Recruitment brings both missional and pastoral skills to help missionary candidates discern God’s call upon their lives.” International Ministries currently serves missionaries and partners in 76 countries.

 

“I consider it a high privilege,” says Bell, “to encourage and coach men and women in the process of following God’s call to cross-cultural, global ministry in the American Baptist mission movement.”

 

IM missionaries Mario and Iris Morales will work with Jim Bell on part-time special assignment as Recruitment Associates while continuing their mission work related to the Bolivian Baptist Union.

 

Individuals wishing to explore the possibility of long-term international missionary service are invited to contact Jim Bell by e-mail <Jim.Bell@abc-usa.org> or by calling the International Ministries recruitment desk at 1-800-222-3872 ext. 2245. Learn more about mission opportunities with American Baptist International Ministries at www.internationalministries.org.